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Automobile Club féminin de France

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Automobile Club féminin de France
AbbreviationACFF
Formation1926
FounderAnne de Rochechouart de Mortemart
Founded atParis

The Automobile Club féminin de France (ACFF) was a French women-only automobile club founded in 1926.[1]

History

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The Automobile Club féminin de France was founded in 1926 by Anne de Rochechouart de Mortemart, the sporting Duchess of Uzès and the first woman in France to earn a driving licence, in 1898.[2] The ACFF was set up to be the female equivalent of the Automobile Club de France (ACF) as the ACF did not allow women to join their organisation.[3] At the same time, the Duchess of Uzès created the official publication for the club, the Revue de l'Automobile Club féminin, which was published for 14 years.[4]

The ACFF's membership were very well off, as motoring in the 1920s was an expensive undertaking which only the richest people could afford. At the end of 1908, it is estimated that there were around 40,000 cars in France.[5][2] A number of the women on the ACFF committee had husbands who were involved in running the ACF. Committee members included women from the Rothschild family, socialites and women connected with the nascent motor production trade.[6] Members could add an ACFF badge to their car, mounted to their radiator cap.[7]

The ACFF was about more than motor racing, and organised social activities for women interested in motoring,[8] although rallying was a large part of their programme. They organised motorised paper chases and treasure hunt rallies, tours and meets at members’ estates. The events were recorded in the Revue de l'Automobile Club féminin magazine, which was published by Count Edme de Rohan-Chabot,[4] founder of the Rallye Paris – Saint-Raphaël Féminin.[6][9] The Revue offered advice on vehicle maintenance, road safety and tips for road trips. It showcased notable club members and pioneers of women in motoring, and served as a platform for defending the rights of women drivers. It featured new cars, new technological advances, driving laws and regulations and served as a mechanism for women motorists to exchange ideas and experiences. It also carried advertising for motoring products and services.[10]

ACFF rallies

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1925: Paris-La Baule

1930: Paris-Cannes event won by Magdeleine, Comtesse de Ganay in a Renault Reinastella car.

1931: Paris-Amsterdam

1932: Paris-Rome

1934: Surprise rally - ending in Rambouillet

1935: Forest trial, won by Jacqueline Seligmann, a Chanel dress was the prize.[6]

1935: Winter Sports Rally from Paris-Chamonix

1936: Paris and Le Touquet, won by Jacqueline Seligmann.

Presidents

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Notable members

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  • Duchesse d'Uzès - presidente de l'Automobile Club féminin in 1927, posing next to an ACFF pennant attached to the bonnet of a car
    Duchesse d'Uzès - president of l'Automobile Club féminin in 1927, posing next to an ACFF pennant attached to the bonnet of a car
  • The first outing of the Automobile Club féminin, at Rambouillet
    The first outing of the Automobile Club féminin, at Rambouillet
  • Flower covered balcony at the ACFF's Monthléry Autodrome Ladies' Day, 12 June 1927
    Flower covered balcony at the ACFF's Monthléry Autodrome Ladies' Day, 12 June 1927
  • First outing of the Automobile Club féminin - Baronne Hélène de Rothschild in her car
    First outing of the Automobile Club féminin - Baronne Hélène de Rothschild in her car
  • Visit by l'Automobile club féminin to Bourget, 19 May 1928, showing Henry Kapferer, Mme Lasne, Mme Citroën, Mme Aubry, princesse Galitzine
    Visit by l'Automobile club féminin to Bourget, 19 May 1928, showing Henry Kapferer, Mme Lasne, Mme Citroën, Mme Aubry, princesse Galitzine
  • La comtesse de Ganay in her Renault Reinastella car, on the cover of Ève magazine (1933)
    La comtesse de Ganay in her Renault Reinastella car, on the cover of Ève magazine (1933)

See also

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Aéroclub féminin la Stella

References

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  1. ^ Jacques Rousseau, Michel Iatca, Histoire mondiale de l'automobile, Hachette, 1958
  2. ^ a b "Les femmes et l'automobile : un enjeu de lutte contre la précarité, d'orientation professionnelle et de déconstruction des stéréotypes". Sénat (in French). 2023-04-03. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  3. ^ Pierre Arnaud, Histoire du sport féminin: Sport masculin, L'Harmattan, 1996
  4. ^ a b "Revue officielle de l'Automobile-Club féminin de Paris, de l'Ile-de-France et de France : publication mensuelle / directrice rédactrice en chef Mme Jean Brignoli - 14 Years available - Gallica". gallica.bnf.fr. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  5. ^ Michel Winock, Les derniers feux de la Belle Époque. Chronique culturelle d'une avant-guerre 1913-1914, Seuil l'Histoire .
  6. ^ a b c d H-g, Rachel (2022-11-29). "Speedqueens: The Automobile Club Feminin". Speedqueens. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  7. ^ "Bonhams Cars : Écusson d'automobile de l'ACFF (Automobile Club Féminin de France), Français, circa 1930,". cars.bonhams.com. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  8. ^ "Women only: A snapshot from the Journée Féminine de l'Automobile - PreWarCar". www.prewarcar.com. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  9. ^ "ISSN 2742-0019 (Online) | Revue officielle de l'Automobile-Club féminin de Paris, de l'Ile-de-France et de France | The ISSN Portal". portal.issn.org. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  10. ^ "Revue Officielle Automobile Club Féminin 1927". www.talon-au-plancher.fr (in French). Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  11. ^ Jean-François Bouzanquet, Fast Ladies: Female Racing Drivers 1888 to 1970, Veloce Publishing Ltd, 2009
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