Correspondence dated 29 June 1955

Summary

An item from the surviving correspondence of William John Sands.

Historical context

This item forms part of the surviving William John Sands correspondence and is dated 29 June 1955. It is preserved in the William John Sands Family Archive as evidence of Sands’s professional work and relationships. The accompanying transcript was produced by machine OCR and should be checked against the original scan before being treated as a definitive reading.

Catalogue description

Original correspondence scan imported from the Sands and Ferguson family archive. Source file: 19550629b.jpg.

Machine transcript — unreviewed

Wary Ferficson Woldlings Cea. Crttinuation Sheet 3. With our new transmission we have reduced the starting - to-top gear movements to four: 1. Switch on, 2. Press starter. 3. Release hand-brake. 1. Open throttle. If we move off on half-throttle the car is soon in {2 1 0f itself. I would dearly like to reduce the movements to three and, at the same time, provide a womierful safety from creep, etc, if we automatically switched on and off by getting in and out of the car. I have thought of all kinds of switches attached to doors and levers but they don't work out properly. My only problem now is a neat method of working the switch when one sits down, I do not like to go to people like Incas because I don't want to disclose things at this moment, and all our staff are crowded with the big events that are going on with plans for big manufacture that I cannot get them to concentrate on this job. Of course, I don't expect you to give it your valuable time but only to tet it rest in the back of your mind and if a brain-wave comes to you do pass it along ! Attached is the usual cheque which happens to be ready as I write this. Be assured we are going on with our plans for you, as I have already mentioned to you. All of the warmest and best to you and your family, and thanks again for your good letters, Yours very sincerely, PS. Of course, I mean a brainwave as to U4 fle the job. At present I keep rumning around the estate here getting in and out of the car constantly. What a joy it is not to have to move any lever or clutch or gears. All I do is switch on and as I press the starter I have my foot on the accelerator and I am off like a flash. I wouldn't have to switch on, nor off, if getting in and our of the car would do this automatically. HF.