The latest (and last) issue of British Car Magazine has an article
comparing one guy's Alpine to his Tiger. The Alpine is a Series IV with a
single downdraft Weber, noted at 80 hp. The writers complained about the
lack of power (too bad they didn't ask for mine). But, stock is stock -
or at least close to stock is close to stock.
Anyway, the primary reason I'm writing is about the shifting. I'm still
baffled by this. They said that the shifting was vague. I've driven lots
of cars over the years, MGs, Triumphs, Porsches, Austin Healeys, Jaguars,
Alfa Romeos - though admittedly no Lotus or Fiat. I've always felt the
Alpine box was actually quite nice. The gate was well defined. The side
to side width was short. The movement in and out of gears was smooth and
fast. I'll admit that forward-back throw is longer than a Miata, but
certainly shorter than a Austin Healey, and similar to all the others. So
what gives? Have I just driven the wrong cars? Are there other cars out
there with remarkably better shifting?
I will say that the TR3A I drove did have a tighter, shorter shift feel.
But, at the same time, I thought compared to all the other cars I've
driven, it was the closest to the Alpine in feel.
Jay
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