From the outside (symptoms) - it was starting in first gear, flaring to third, and then (near the end) having a hard time getting into fourth...

Dissassy and inspection showed severe wear on the discs (some of the metal plates needed to be cut off...), the "basket" has a pin on the back (something to do with reverse?) and this was broken off, there are (at least) two plastic seals (guides?) that have a lip - one is the white one (3" dia) and the other about 1.5" dia - both of these showed damage, the 1.5" (more yellow in color) was badly damaged.

I just spoke to the mechanic (I called him and asked him this question). He said the primary two problems were that the clutch discs in the front drum had locked up, causing problems with the front planetary gears which caused problems with gear selection. The broken pin on the basket allowed the reverse piston to travel too far, destroying the clutch plates therein.

I don't know if any of this helps anyone...

-David