28 MARCH 1931, Page 44

Turning to the chassis, the first point which calls for

comment is the "Four speed, self-changing gear with pre- selector." This device has four very definite advantages, and seems to have no practical disadvantage at all First— even a Complete novice cannot find any difficulty or make

any noise when changing up or down; and there is no scream op the- lower gears. Secondly—coasting is very simile, as from any gear the lever can be set to neutral, the• pedal depressed, let home again, and the thing is done. Thirdly— the pre-selection of gears can all be done without moving the hand from' the steering wheel. Fourthly—the gears are epicyclic, and very quiet.

Let us see how all this comes about. There is no ordinary gear lever, but instead a dial on the steering wheel with the various gear posii ions marked on it. To each of these a- small hand lever is moved as required. A pedal, like the usual clutch pedal, has merely to be depressed and released for the gear 'you have pre-selected to be engaged. Thus if the driver sees 'some reason for Changing pp or down, he moves the hind lever, to the gear he decides upon, then, when he is ready to make the *Change, he has only to push the foot pedal out and let it in again. The whole operation is extremely quick, easy, and' entirely silent. The easiest changes down can he made, and the driver has only to speed up his engine as he lets in the foot pedal to bring about a change that is not only silent but absolutely smooth. This system is somewhat more costly and complicated than the usual; but as in practice it gives no trouble, it seems to me the pros completely outweigh the eons,