RSAC Motorsport Ltd. has a long history. The Scottish Automobile Club, being the Scottish branch of the Automobile Club of Great Britain and Ireland, was formed on 1 December 1899 at a meeting convened at the Royal Hotel, Edinburgh. By Royal Charter from King George V, it became the Royal Scottish Automobile Club in 1917. From the beginning, the SAC promoted motoring, working with local authorities and police forces on legislation to enhance safety as well as the enjoyment of the open road. The club erected its own warning and direction signs across Scotland and its annual handbook was a tome of information on car dealers, garages for servicing and repairs, driving schools, hotels, motoring law and general travel information. The new clubhouse in Blythswood Square, Glasgow was fully opened in 1926. 

In the earliest days the sporting focus was on reliability trials, the longest lasting six days. The first Scottish Rally took place in 1932 and in 1949 the first hillclimb to use the Old Military Road at the Rest and Be Thankful. Blythswood Square would host the Start of many Monte Carlo Rallies in the 1950s and 1960s, drawing huge crowds. 

The early history of the club is covered in the excellently titled, “Gang Warily: The Jubilee History of the Royal Scottish Automobile Club, 1899-1949″. The book is out of publication but second hand copies in good condition can still be found online to purchase.

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In 1974, the then Royal Scottish Automobile Club was gifted a 1905 Rolls-Royce. The vehicle, known affectionately to club members as “The Old Girl” is the worlds second oldest Rolls-Royce.

You can read more about this beautiful vehicle here.