My '87 5speed wagon has a strange noise during shifting in low gear, the symptoms are as follows:

During moderate to hard takeoff and downshifting (moderate to hard refering to amount of torque being transmitted)in 1st and 2nd gear - a squeal / howl comes from the mid to rear of the car. The noise only is heard during initial clutch engagement (i.e. lift foot off clutch and just as clutch begins to engage and for about an inch of movement upward).

In 3rd,4th, and 5th no noise; during easy to moderate shifting no noise in any gear.

While in gear or clutch fully depressed no noise.

Noise is pretty loud.

Don't think its the bushings because no noise during any other times when driving (i.e. bumps or camber shifting) also clutch movement effects noise before weight transfer in rear.

I thought maybe Throwout Bearings but I am told that would make noise when in gear, so Im sort of stumped.

Car has 167,000 miles original clutch (no slipping).
Any ideas?