driving a preselector

Driving a Car With a Wilson Pre-Selector Gearbox

In common with many Daimler and Lanchester cars from the mid 20th century, the L. D. 10 is fitted with a semi-automatic Wilson pre-selector gear-change. This offers some advantages over conventional manual and automatic gear change systems. Using a fluid flywheel in place of a clutch means that it is virtually impossible to stall the car, gear changes can be achieved very smoothly and quickly and there is no clutch plate or thrust bearing to wear out. But unlike a fully automatic system, all gears must be selected by the driver so you get all the interactive fun of driving a manual car.

The one fly in the ointment is that people who are used to conventional transmissions can get into difficulties by trying use the floor pedals as they would in their usual car. Bearing in mind the 'torquey' nature of the Lanchester, the results will be anything but smooth and they may dismiss the pre-selector system as awful.

Although the Lanchester has three conventional looking floor pedals, the one on the left is not a clutch pedal but a gear change pedal roughly analogous to the hand gear lever found in most cars. To change gear, the pedal must be pushed quickly in and out which can be counterintuitive for many new drivers. It should not be held half way down as if you were riding a clutch, after all positive results would not be expected if a conventional gear lever was held half way between gears.

To change gear, first you must pre-select it using the lever on the steering column and then engage it by pressing the gear change pedal.
For a first time driver, I would suggest engaging top gear with the handbrake on. You will find that the car continues to run quite happily! Then let off the brake and apply a little pressure to the accelerator, the car will creep forward. Repeat with all gears till you get the feel of it.

When moving up through the gears, the accelerator should be released just before the gear change lever is pressed. When changing down, for example when climbing a hill, the accelerator should remain depressed. With practice this will result in very smooth gear changes.
If rapid engine braking is required, the accelerator should be released as the gears are changed down.

The recommended speeds for gear changes are shown in the table below

For Maximum Economy

1st to 2nd gear	5 miles per hour
2nd to 3rd gear	15 miles per hour
3rd to Top gear	25 miles per hour

For Maximum Acceleration

1st to 2nd gear	10 miles per hour
2nd to 3rd gear	22 miles per hour
3rd to Top gear	35 miles per hour

Maximum Speed for a given gear (Don't blow your engine!)

1st gear	12 miles per hour
2nd gear	25 miles per hour
3rd gear	40 miles per hour