Ben Ament wrote:
"If you want to experience the difference that wheelbase makes,
alongwith a bit of weight, try driving a Mini, then climb into a Mini
Clubman, then a Mini Countryman (when it becomes available)."
I had two original Minis, a Morris 850 sedan and an Austin 850
Countryman (wagon). Identical structurally and mechanically except the
Countryman had an 84" wheelbase as opposed to the sedan's 80". Not that
much difference, you'd think, but the ride of the longer one was a good
bit less choppy, and the handling actually much nicer - a more pleasant
car to live with all around.
We Alfisti don't have to go that far afield to compare chassis that are
identical except for wheelbase, as most of our favorite postwar cars,
starting with the Giuliettas, came in variants of different lengths.
I've never driven any Giulietta/Giulia Berlinas, but I have had two late
105s, both 2-liter, and can attest both to their better ride than either
the Spider's or the GTV's, but to a much more settled feel on the road
and steadiness around corners. Which is not at all to say the Berlinas'
handling was sedate; they were both willing co-conspirators in any hard
charge through the bends. As, I must say, is the Milano.
Will Owen
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