Car Engineer of the Century


The Car Engineer of the Century was an international award given to the most influential car engineer of the twentieth century. The election process was overseen by the Global Automotive Elections Foundation.
The winner, Ferdinand Porsche, was announced at an awards gala on December 18, 1999 in Las Vegas.

The selection process

The process for deciding the Car Engineer of the Century started with the list of candidates below.
NameNotable for
Béla BarényiDaimler-Benz passive safety work
Walter Owen BentleyInnovative solutions
Karl BenzCredited with creating the world's first purpose-built motor car in 1886
Marc BirkigtHispano-Suiza H6
Ettore BugattiBugatti cars
Colin ChapmanLotus Cars radical and innovative technical solutions
Gottlieb DaimlerPioneer of internal-combustion engines
Rudolf DieselThe diesel engine
William Edwards DemingRevolutionised car production with statistical process control
Henry Ford IMotor car pioneer, entrepreneur and industrial visionary
Dante GiacosaFiat innovator
Walter HassanEngine innovator at Coventry Climax and Jaguar
Nicolas HayekFather of the MCC Smart car concept.
Alec IssigonisThe innovative packaging of the Mini
Vittorio JanoMotor car innovator
Spencer KingConceived the luxury all wheel drive SUV concept with the Range Rover
Frederick LanchesterCar pioneer founder of the Lanchester Motor Company
Hans LedwinkaPioneered an advanced backbone chassis configuration and paved the way for the Volkswagen Beetle with Tatra
André LefèbvreCitroën cars
Harry MundyEngine innovator with Coventry Climax, Lotus and Jaguar
August OttoCredited with creating the first useful four stroke engine
Ferdinand PorscheAutomotive innovator and creator of Volkswagen.
Frederick Henry RoyceThe engineering genius behind Rolls-Royce
Rudolf UhlenhautMercedes-Benz cars
Gabriel VoisinAutomotive and engine innovator
Felix WankelPerfected the rotary piston engine concept with NSU

The next step was for a jury of 132 professional automotive journalists, from 33 different countries, under the presidency of Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, to reduce the list to 5, which they did, and the result was announced in November 1999. Finally the 5 were ranked by the jury and the overall winner was selected.