Crunchy gearboxes and other treats

[C M Smith <cmsmith@domain.elided>]

The Lancia Beta gearbox may have a crunchy second gear, but surely this is 
due to it being a FIAT 124 box!!

And to the Wellington poster (that's New Zealand, not boot), the Lancia 
Thema 8 32 was indeed the most exciting variant of the SAABLanciaFIATALFA. 
How's about a slightly detuned Ferrari V8 from the 308/348 series stuck 
sideways in front? Bet the gearbox on that baby really crunched on a 
redline first to second shift!

BTW, rumour has it that Lancia got the detuned Ferrari so the Thema 
wouldn't blow off the heavyset 308/348 and make Enzo look a bit foolish. 
The official story is the exhaust required modification to allow for the 
transverse mounting (yeah right).
Michael Smith
Calgary, Alberta
Canada
91 Alfa 164L, White, original owner

------------------------------