This seems to be a reference to a manual transmission without a synchroniser. Such transmissions require double-clutching to shift gears. The driver pushes on the clutch to shift to neutral, then releases the clutch and immediately depresses it again to shift to the new gear.... hence "she needs the heel and toe."
Wonderful song! Being in the US I will likely never see an Albion, but will certainly keep an eye out for them.
There's not much I can add to the comments to this great song, apart from to confirm that the "heel-and -toe" does refer to what was called double-declutching - changing gear by briefing letting the cogs spin in neutral in a manual box without a synchromesh.
There's not much I can add to the comments to this great song, apart from to confirm that the "heel-and -toe" does refer to what was called double-declutching - changing gear by briefing letting the cogs spin in neutral in a manual box without a synchromesh.
And no, apparently you couldn't adjust the seat in an Albion Reiver! I love the line about "she's not too cold in winter but she cooks me in the heat". I haven't been able to find out if that was something Reivers were known to do - I'd be willing to bet it was. Mr. Knopfler likes to get things like this right.
And finally, 'sure as the sunrise' was actually a 1950s and 60s catchphrase/ ad line of Albion's, referring to the rising sun emblem on the front (and of course their reliability).
Saw an Albion truck (lorry!) at the Carlisle, PA car show one year. It, however, was a Chieftain, not a Reiver. Took a photo which has disappeared. This was prior to cell cameras, darn it.
Saw an Albion truck (lorry!) at the Carlisle, PA car show one year. It, however, was a Chieftain, not a Reiver. Took a photo which has disappeared. This was prior to cell cameras, darn it.
"Crash box and lever
This seems to be a reference to a manual transmission without a synchroniser. Such transmissions require double-clutching to shift gears. The driver pushes on the clutch to shift to neutral, then releases the clutch and immediately depresses it again to shift to the new gear.... hence "she needs the heel and toe."
Wonderful song! Being in the US I will likely never see an Albion, but will certainly keep an eye out for them.
There's not much I can add to the comments to this great song, apart from to confirm that the "heel-and -toe" does refer to what was called double-declutching - changing gear by briefing letting the cogs spin in neutral in a manual box without a synchromesh.
There's not much I can add to the comments to this great song, apart from to confirm that the "heel-and -toe" does refer to what was called double-declutching - changing gear by briefing letting the cogs spin in neutral in a manual box without a synchromesh.
And no, apparently you couldn't adjust the seat in an Albion Reiver! I love the line about "she's not too cold in winter but she cooks me in the heat". I haven't been able to find out if that was something Reivers were known to do - I'd be willing to bet it was. Mr. Knopfler likes to get things like this right.
And finally, 'sure as the sunrise' was actually a 1950s and 60s catchphrase/ ad line of Albion's, referring to the rising sun emblem on the front (and of course their reliability).
oldclassiccar.co.uk/photos-cheshire/albion_reiver_24.htm
oldclassiccar.co.uk/photos-cheshire/albion_reiver_24.htm
Here is a picture of an Albion Reiver.
Here is a picture of an Albion Reiver.
Saw an Albion truck (lorry!) at the Carlisle, PA car show one year. It, however, was a Chieftain, not a Reiver. Took a photo which has disappeared. This was prior to cell cameras, darn it.
Saw an Albion truck (lorry!) at the Carlisle, PA car show one year. It, however, was a Chieftain, not a Reiver. Took a photo which has disappeared. This was prior to cell cameras, darn it.