In article ,
Huge wrote:
I stopped reading it over 20 years ago, when they said that the Mini
Metro gearbox was weak because when they engaged first gear at maximum
revs without depressing the clutch, it broke.

Think you may have embroidered this somewhat?

The A Series BL gearbox wasn't a strong unit as it originated from the
'40s Austin A30 with 28 BHP. As of course did the engine - but there's
more room to strengthen that than a gearbox. They used the Triumph
equivalent where they could easily - like the RWD Marina etc.
Re-engineering for a gearbox in sump unit like the early Metro - basically
the same as the Mini - would have been very costly. And they simply didn't
have the money. Later Metros with the K Series engine used bought in
5-speed gearboxes, and not in the sump. Racing Minis used special boxes
where the gear clusters were replaced with straight cut gears - noisy but
more robust.

--
*Drugs may lead to nowhere, but at least it's the scenic route *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.