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).
The automatic gear change system fitted to a Reo car.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 128\1\ scan0157 | |
| Date | 10th October 1933 | |
| X3131 To W.R. from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Gry.{Shadwell Grylls} C. S. C. E.J. C. Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} C. FR. C. En. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Gry.{Shadwell Grylls}3/RT.10.10.33. X2651 GEARBOXES. We have been able to try the Reo car fitted with an automatic gear change. The car has two two-speed boxes in series. A handle on the instrument board provides a neutral position or the direct or indirect drive in the rear box. The front box automatically changed from its indirect spool gear to top at 12 m.p.h., the change being effected by a centrifugal clutch. Owing to the change of gear being at such a low speed, the contrivance is rarely of use, the car normally being in top gear and the acceleration very poor in spite of a 4 litre engine. The gear change either up or down took place without shock and could only be noticed because of the alteration in engine speed. The car could be driven slowly on top gear (i.e. below 12 m.p.h.) and only changed down if the throttle were opened. We do not consider this particular device is what the driver wants. It is only suitable for the person who will not or cannot change gear, and merely uses his car as a conveyance. If the speed of the gear change could be altered by throttle position, or even took place at a higher speed, there might be something to be said for this gearbox. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Gry.{Shadwell Grylls} | ||