NEW GEAR BOX

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 47, Issue 2668, 10 September 1937, Page 6

NEW GEAR BOX

AUTOMATIC DRIVE DESIGN IN UNITED STATES MODERN TRANSMISSION FORMS. 'J’HE activity displayed by motor car designers some years ago in developing new forms of transmissions culminated in the almost universal adoption of the synchro-mesh box with, in some cases, the addition of an automatic supplementary overdrive gearbox or a two-speed back axle. It is reported that at least three American car manufacturers have decided to adopt some form of overdrive next year. In the meantime, there are signs that endeavours to make popular automatic gearboxes, which lapsed when the synchro-mesh box proved its great usefulness will be revived, the ideal aimed at being so to simplify the controls that two pedals only will be necessary. Opinion on the matter, however, is still divided among British, European, and American manufacturers, some saying that cars of today climb almost any ordinary hill on top gear and the situation is well met by the synchro-mesh gear-box, while others insist that the automatic gearbox is well on the way and will become standard equipment on many cars in the near future.

Supporting this contention is the fact that the makers of a well-known American car are adopting an automatic safety transmission as optional equipment for their eight-cylinder model.at an added cost in U.S.A, of £l6. It is not, however, a device that can be added after the car has been purchased; its design is such that it must be fitted at the factory.

The new gearbox provides four forward speeds instead of the usual three, and selects them automatically through a device actuated by oil pressure and engine speed. A foot pedal is coupled to the mechanism, but this is only used when starting from rest or engaging reverse. Normally the driver controls the mechanism by a short lever fitted beneath the steering wheel.

There are two forward ranges of gears, designated “high” range and “low” range, and without moving his hand from the steering wheel the driver can select whichever range he wants or move the lever to “neutral.” Within the two ranges are the four forward gears, the “low” range giving first and second gears and the “high” range first, third, and top gears, a first gear being provided in both ranges so that starting can be made on the level and when the engine is warm in the “high” range.