RE: a proposed alternate terminology (was: Define transaxle Alfa)

["Peter Webb" <webb.p@domain.elided>]

It was stated the Guilietta "short truck" of the 80s was a transaxle car.
It was indeed a conventional setup and although carries a 116 number,
follows the drive train of a 115.

-Peter

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-alfa@domain.elided [mailto:owner-alfa@domain.elided]On Behalf Of
John Hertzman
Sent: Sunday, July 21, 2002 22:02
To: alfa@domain.elided
Subject: a proposed alternate terminology (was: Define transaxle Alfa)


Russ wrote:

"The 'Transaxle' Alfas are the Alfetta in sedan and coupe versions, the
GTV-6
and the Milano.  The 164 may have a transaxle, but it is WRONG WHEEL DRIVE
and
therefore, deserves a different designation.  <GRIN>

"There were other 'Transaxle' Alfas not imported here.  The short trunk
Giulietta sedan comes immediately to mind.  I am not sure where if the SZ
and
RZ had a transaxle or not, but I think they must have as they did have a
DeDion rear axle.

"I guess the 'Transaxle' Alfas might have been know as the 'DeDion' Alfas
just
as easily."

And Richard Welty poked a hole in the proposed transaxle/DeDion equivalency
by
adding the DeDion/non-transaxle Alfa 6, often called the Alfa Sei to avoid
confusion with other six cylinder Alfas. (The "6" in the Alfa 6 probably
referred to the six cylinder engine originally, but there was also a five
cylinder version). Another possible objection to equating transaxles with
DeDions is that some of the most famous Alfas had transaxles and swing
axles,
not DeDions.

The distinction Russ draws between the proper "Transaxle" Alfas and the
"WRONG
WHEEL DRIVE" Alfas is also troubled, as the Alfa Romeo tipo AR 1090 of
1959-1964 had a correct-end transaxle coupled directly to a wrong-end
engine.
I don't think we want to go there. (Many people don't consider it a "real"
Alfa despite its name and badge.)

I have long felt that it was reasonable to use Alfa's type numbers to
distinguish the 105/115 cars from the 750/101 cars, as well as from each
other
in both cases. If that is accepted as reasonable, the analogous term for the
correct-end engine, correct-end drive, transaxle cars would be the 116/162
cars, as the Alfettas, Giulietta Nuovas, and GTV 6 were all tipo 116 while
the
Alfa 90, 75, Milano, SZ and RZ are all tipo 162. (the Sei, and only the Sei,
is a tipo 119).

John H.
--
to be removed from alfa, see /bin/digest-subs.cgi
or email "unsubscribe alfa" to majordomo@domain.elided
--
to be removed from alfa, see /bin/digest-subs.cgi
or email "unsubscribe alfa" to majordomo@domain.elided