The Transaxle Tempest is what it is… an early example of ‘out of the box’ thinking.
Some car companies saw potential in the front engine, torque-tube, rear transaxle/IRS layout, copied it and developed it into what it is today. GM I believe, caved in to corporate politics and the bean-counters and walked away from it.
The Tempest suspension gives a ride that feels like a like a big car, gets great gas mileage (with a four cylinder engine) and carries five (six in 1963 with a bench seat) passengers in comfort. But it’s a fifty year old design with all the limitations of the day and a few unique to itself.
Understand it, live with it’s limitations and enjoy it for what it is (i.e. IMHO A Nugget from the Golden Age of American Automobiles) or get a car with a common drivetrain,
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