Big names in automotive history

William Durant was a businessman, financier and salesman who was a self-made millionaire before ever joining the auto business. He was called on by the owners of the failing Buick Motor Company to help. He soon bought Oldsmobile, Pontiac and Cadillac and formed General Motors. He almost bought Ford, but didn't come up with enough cash to suit Henry.

Durant always kept himself stretched thin with his money in stocks and other businesses. He lost everything in the Depression.

Enzo Ferrari was a mechanic, race car driver then race car team owner. His cars dominated racing for many years after WWII.

Charles Goodyear accidentally discovered the rubber vulcanizing process. He patented the process, but couldn't come up with any practical uses for it and died penniless in 1860. The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company was named after him.

Soichiro Honda. After WWII with $3,300 he started making motorcycles.

Emile Jellinek. In 1900, while a Daimler Motor Works board member, Jellinek convinced Gottlieb Daimler to build a race car and name it after Emile's daughter, Mercedes.

Ferdinand Porsche was a design engineer who never created a car carrying his name. That was left to his son, Ferry.