From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Test drive of a car with an automatic clutch disengagement system, noting its performance and suggesting further investigation.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 129\2\ scan0053 | |
| Date | 8th June 1935 | |
| -2- Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Gry.{Shadwell Grylls} &/KW. 8.6.35. On the car we tried a sweet getaway was effected in any gear at any throttle opening due to the governor characteristics of the servo device. To change gear one merely pushed the gear lever into any synchromesh gears, the clutch disengagement being automatic. For a crash type change one had to release pressure on the gear lever knob, when in neutral. The clutch then came in and the revs. could be adjusted and the rest of the change then effected. At no time while driving this car did one require a left foot. The whole operation worked very nicely, and if it is the sort of thing we require is worthy of further investigation. We shall ask Borg & Beck to bring this car over for a trial by Derby officials. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Gry.{Shadwell Grylls} | ||