[Shotimes] ATX or MTX?

[van Oss]

I am embarking on a SHO wagon project.  Parts are coming my way that enable
me to choose:  The SHO wagon could be an ATX or MTX.

The SHO wagon will get used for vacations and around town.  It will be daily
fun and a highway cruiser, not built for competition.  (We have other SHOs
for high-speed track days, low-speed autocross, and such.)

The ATX might be easier.  That was what Brian Klimes did with Thumper.  I
wouldn't have to mount a clutch pedal, I could perhaps use the column
shifter already in the car, and then I wouldn't have to horse with mounting
a floor shifter, console, and new seats.  The downside is it would be an ATX
which I wouldn't feel confident about until it had had an expensive rebuild
(FPS).

On the other hand...  I like an MTX.  The key reason I bought my first SHO
(a 92, bought in 96) was that it was the only real American-made true
5-seater that I could get with an MTX.  All of my SHOs are MTXs:  91, 91
Plus, and 92.  I have an 85K MTX on hand that I would want to open, refresh,
and maybe go Quaiffe.  I would welcome the challenge of doing my own tranny
rebuild, and could fall back on Courtney if need be.  I would need to buy
and install a rod shifter, I have a console, and would need to refurbish
some mocha seats I have.

I have to confess that (1) I've never driven an ATX SHO, only MTX, so I
cannot compare, and (2) driving the wagon with its present 3.8L/AXOD has a
kind of serenity and I do see the attraction.  Yeah, I'm getting older.  On
the other hand, though an MTX is more work in traffic, we don't have too
much traffic here in La Crosse, and I really do like the feeling of
directness in an MTX as opposed to the ambiguity of an ATX.

I guess I'm looking for the MTX crowd to say "Luke, search your feelings.
Don't give in to the dark side."  Something like that.   : )

Joseph van Oss