Neutral safety switch harness question specific to 1974

That connector was for ease of universal assembly. Models, engines, and transmissions varied. Assembly line workers could locate and plug in as req'd, regardless. Wires routed well away from moving parts and/or heat too. 904 and 727 transmissions could arrive at the line with the wires secured in the same place no matter what they were going into.
Here's another example... Before the dash was installed there was a bit of extra speedometer cable length inside the cab. After dash was installed a worker underneath would pull the excess cable out and toward the drivers seat, then secure it under a sheet metal strap. That cable too could have taken a shorter path.