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 from A. Alltree regarding a new preselector gear control development using positive means instead of spring force.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 147\3\ scan0169 | |
| Date | 25th October 1938 | |
| (Handwritten) 1247 AA{D. Abbot-Anderson}/B. (Handwritten) Hdg A.{Mr Adams} ALLTREE. Motor Fittings and Accessories. (Handwritten) GRY{Shadwell Grylls} (Handwritten) Objection we previously made about Hink's linkage with clutch action still applies apparently. Experimental Department, Messrs Rolls-Royce Ltd, D E R B Y. RYDAL DENE, PILLING LANE, PREESALL, NR FLEETWOOD. 25th October 1938. (Handwritten) Otd Your ref: Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Gry.{Shadwell Grylls}8/AP. Dear Sirs, In view of your earlier interest in my preselector gear control you will perhaps be interested in a later development that eliminates the use of spring force to engage the gears. Both engagement and disengagement of the gears are now effected by positive means. From inquiries I receive about this preselector control I believe the change, from semi-automatic action to positive action, will be approved as it gives a driver the same definite control over the gear change that he has with a hand lever, with equally definite control over the clutch. Actually the gear change is both easier and simpler than with the hand lever as foot operation provides a quite effortless method of gear shifting. Should power gear changing become the vogue, as some predict, the new development will greatly simplify its use. This preselector control now provides:- preselection for normal use; self-selection to facilitate getaways; positive action for gear shifting; easy clutch operation and strong gear locks - all in one simple robust mechanism based on well proved practice. As soon as they are ready I will send you a print showing the new feature - to which further reference is made on the attached sheet. Yours faithfully, (Signature) A.{Mr Adams} Alltree | ||