Rare and unusual Royal Automobile Club of Italy members badge made to be fitted on a steering wheel spoke. Dated 1936.

This very unusual badge is made from gilded brass and decorated in red, green and white enamel. It is in the form of the club's badge, with the date "1936" below. The band is stamped with the numbers, "52" and "926" (presumably relating to a membership or competitor number) and has a stud which locates into either one of two holes, allowing the ring to be adjusted for size. Length of insignia: 27mm. Good condition.
 

The Royal Automobile Club of Italia began life in the city of Turin as the Automobile Club of Torino. In 1904 they took the first steps towards creating a national motoring association and on 23rd January 1905, the Automobile Club d'Italia was formed. The new organisation started by working out rules for motor sports and soon had large number of clubs as associated members. In 1926 year the club was awarded royal patronage and changed its name to Royal Automobile Club d'Italia. The RACI was now partly state owned and in 1934 helped to save the insolvent Monza racing circuit. In 1946 Italy was proclaimed a republic and King Vittorio Emanuele III was exiled. As a consequence the organisation reassumed its original name, ACI. This officially took place on 8 September 1950.