Original Message

Tom and Dornberger got together and came up with the internal clutch trans which used Honda motorcycle clutch discs because they could be used in oil. You engaged the clutch by pushing the pedal down instead of releasing it and they only had 1st, reverse and high gear. A few people copied them (Bert, RPM, General, etc). Mr Johnson repaired Kenny's RPM trans when it failed in the garage one day and that got him started building them. Although they were a little heavy because they used the cast iron Ford case they worked great and Mr Johnson was a great guy. I know of a couple low buck racers that got transmissions from him gratis just to keep them racing. He was a really smart and considerate man and he did show me some legal paperwork regarding a patent but I don't think anything ever became of it.