Mike Braun wrote:
>I seem to remember reading somewhere that the rubber bushed shifter was
>introduced as the "anti-sizzle shifter". I think the object was to
>isolate the driver from direct inputs of gear selection, noise and
>vibration. Kind of the opposite of what we want, yes? I used the rubber
>shifter for many years, and liked it UNTIL I put in the ultra close box
>and direct shifter. It is hard to imagine a nicer gearbox/shifter, if
>only I could stop reaching for fifth.....;)
Re reaching for fifth, I do that too sometimes because I drive the RX7
every day and the Elan an average of once a week.
After having driven many, many different sports cars in my time, I still
use the Ford close ratio or semi-close as my absolute standard for the
best shifting available anywhere. Although I prefer the close ratio
with the direct shift lever, the gearbox is so good that even the
semi-close as used in later Elans and all the US-delivery Lotus Cortinas
feels terrific through the bushing or, in the case of the Cortinas,
through remote linkage (no bushing). Nothing very exotic, just good
engineering, I guess.
Rod
|