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).
Letter proposing an alternative design for a semi-automatic synchromesh gear preselector control.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 136\4\ scan0186 | |
| Date | 26th October 1937 | |
| A.{Mr Adams} ALLTREE. Motor Fittings and Accessories FJH{Fred J. Hardy - Chief Dev. Engineer} 1153 RYDAL DENE, PILLING LANE, PREESALL, NR FLEETWOOD. 26th October 1937. Experimental Department, Messrs Rolls-Royce Ltd, DERBY. Your ref: Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Gry.{Shadwell Grylls}8/AP. ? 10.2.37 Synchromesh Gear. Preselector Control. Dear Sirs, Recalling your earlier interest in the semi-automatic control of synchromesh gears I am sending you a print and details of an alternative arrangement of my own design for this purpose. In this construction the Self-change Shaft acts directly on the Shift Fork to put the gears into neutral and the mechanism is adapted to clutch-pedal operation. I hear from America that quite a large number of car manufacturers are developing semi-automatic gear shifts. Apparently the view is that the rapid development and refinement of the synchromesh gear is making the normal gear lever unnecessary as the job can be done just as well, or even better, by semi-automatic means that also remove an obstructive lever from the front compartment which, seemingly, it is their aim to make more roomy and comfortable. Perhaps you will look over the print and details and keep them for reference. Yours faithfully, A.{Mr Adams} Alltree. | ||