On this day in auto history – February 8th

Mon 8th Feb 2021

It was on this day in 1891 that a letter written by British mechanical pioneer Frederick Simms, contained the first recorded use of the term "motor car”.

Simms - who would go on to found the RAC - used the "motor car” term in a letter written to his solicitor regarding his purchase of Daimler’s engine and manufacture rights.

Simms, who is also widely-credited with coining the word "petrol", also founded the Society of Motor Manufacturers (SMMT) and helped usher in the adoption of gasoline-fuelled engines.