[1][2][3] The Automotive Hall of Fame was founded on October 18, 1939, in New York City by a group called the "Automobile Old Timers.

"[4] Its original mission was to perpetuate the memories of early automotive pioneers and to honor people from all parts of the auto industry worldwide.

As General William S. Knudsen stated, the selection to the Hall of Fame included "Ten pioneers whose engineering and administrative genius made possible the present day."

The selection was done in cooperation with the Automobile Manufacturers Association, the "National Automotive Golden Jubilee committee of which Knudsen was president.

These inductees include the founders of Benz, Bosch, Bugatti, Buick,[12] Chevrolet, Chrysler,[13] Citroen, Cord, Daimler, Dodge, Duesenberg, Durant, Duryea,[14][15][16][17] Ferrari, Ford, Honda, Maybach, Olds, Peugeot, Porsche, Renault and Toyota among others.