Incidentally, this was the car that both Petacci and Mussolini were shot down in as they attempted to escape the resistance in 1945, at the end of the Second World War. The Spirit of Ecstasy (the silver figurine at the front of the Rolls Royce), was inspired by Eleanor Thornton, a muse amongst the social elite. In 1909, she was immortalised by artist Charles Sykes: ‘She leans forth towards the wind, arms outstretched, her dress billowing as if in flight. A symbol of dreams – of energy, grace and beauty.’

However, I return to Ms Levitt, who in the same year wrote, The Woman and the Car: A Chatty Little Handbook for all Women who Motor or Who Want to Motor. The book recommended novel ideas such as holding the mirror, but also advised women travelling alone to carry a handgun; Ms Levitt’s specific recommendation was an automatic Colt. In her opinion, its relative lack of recoil made it particularly suitable for women.

This little handbook does indeed hold some helpful advice for women being whirled around the country by one’s friends and relatives, or in a car driven by one’s chauffeur, although Levitt remained insistent that, ‘the real, intense pleasure comes only when you drive your own car.’

The book goes on to explain how to not injure yourself as you start the car with the starter handle, and how to change gear using the clutch to match the engine, all whilst steering at the same time. Levitt discussed road manners too, for pedestrians and other road users; in 1909, the motorcar was a new invention on the road, so there would have been chickens, horse, and sheep in many streets, especially those around villages.

Ms Levitt also addressed the question of what to wear, claiming that, ‘with an open car, neatness and comfort are essential. Under no circumstance wear lace or fluffy adjuncts to your toilet. There is nothing like a thick frieze, homespun or tweed coat lined with fur.’ When it came to gloves, Ms Levitt told her readers to ‘never wear woollen gloves, but gloves made of good soft kid. You will find room for these gloves in the little drawer under the seat of the car. It is not advisable to wear rings.’

‘It would have been very improper to show one’s knees aboard a car that was already stripped of any bodywork and would have not hidden anything,’ remarked Dorothy to a fellow racing driver that day.

As well as their coloured scarves, the ladies tied cords around their dresses to hold up their skirts. Eight women raced at that inaugural race at Brooklands, with Muriel Thompson winning in her Austin, with Ethel Locke King not far behind in her Italia.

It was not until 1920 that Brooklands allowed mixed gender racing. Even then, female drivers were required to have a male mechanic on their team.

Ms Levitt had a busy year in 1908. In July, her 60-horsepower Napier was second fastest of over 50 competitors at the Aston Clinton Hill Climb in Buckinghamshire. She also raced at the La Côte du Calvaire hill climb at Trouville in France, as well as the Prinz Heinrich Trophy at the Herkomer Trophy Trial in Germany.

Strangely, although Selwyn Edge continued to manufacture and race cars, we have very little documentation of the life of Ms Levitt after 1910. Despite this, her image was still used extensively for advertising soaps, tyres, and driving attire for ladies, whilst her publishing and journalism was fluid with articles and public speaking events.

I love imagining how Ms Levitt would visit ladies’ luncheons, reading extracts from her book The Woman and The Car, advising keen motorists how to use the side brake and clutch, how to use the brakes and how to keep one’s dignity whilst parking.

In 1922, she was sadly found dead in her bed at 50 Upper Baker Street in Marylebone, unmarried. Her death certificate stated that ‘the cause of death was morphine poisoning while suffering from heart disease and an attack of measles. The inquest recorded a verdict of misadventure.’ Her estate would be valued at £12,300 in today’s money.

What a life she had, part of the trailblazers and wayward women of the late Victorian era.

In the next edition of Lara’s Women in Motorsport series, she’ll delve into the life of Madame Elizabeth Junek. If you haven’t already, sign up to our newsletter below to stay updated.