In message , Bill Hayles
writes
On Sun, 20 Jun 2004 12:17:42 GMT, "Martin Underwood"
wrote:

"Bill Hayles" wrote in message
. ..

Things are different now, but when I took my (car) driving test in
1968, many cars didn't have synchromesh, so you got used to it from
the start.

As recent as 1968? I thought all cars had synchromesh on all gears except
sometimes first and reverse (where it's less important, as you're unlikely
to want to engage first or reverse while moving) long before that.

I took my test on a Ford Popular. I think that all the new cars had
synchromesh on most forward gears by then, but the vehicle I was
supplied with for my work (Land Rover) didn't.

I know that the Police driving manual "Roadcraft" makes reference to
double-declutching, and still recommends it even with a synchromesh box.
Does it still recommend that? Interesting.

I double de-clutch when driving my Citroen 2CV, for two reasons.
Firstly, its (wonderful) gearbox is happier when I do and secondly I
learned to drive a crash gearbox bus before I ever sat in a car and sort
of became used to it! (Long story with which I won't bore you all
here!)

When I asked my IAM "observer" (instructor) his response was "that's a load
of archaic ******** [I'm paraphrasing!] - it's not necessary with a
synchromesh box and just slows your gearchanges down unnecessarily".
I was told exactly the same thing by an IAM Observer many years ago at a
Citroen Car Club Rally. But then he was so appalled at having to go
out with me *in* a 2CV that I think he was being negative about
everything.

I also now drive an Astra and in that I don't double de-clutch as it
doesn't "feel" happy with it. (Or else it requires more skill than I
have.)

I am saying what I do; I'm not claiming it's current thinking or the
"correct way". But having driven that way for over 35 years, it is
sort of second nature!
My thoughts are similar. (Apart from the 35 years bit!)

Love the H Van reference, by the way, Bill. Excellent taste you have.

Better go back to talking about buses, though.......
--
Ian Jelf, MITG, Birmingham, UK
Registered "Blue Badge" Tourist Guide for
London & the Heart of England
http://www.bluebadge.demon.co.uk