But with no money coming in, car sales down and an expensive new technologies coming for 2009, Honda felt they had no choice but to close their F1 operation.

CNN: Can F1 survive the global economic crisis?

And so, with no money for restoration, the car sat in various garages, serving as a very large and very expensive cat bed for nearly two decades.

FORBES: The Coupe Coup

You will encounter dozens of overcharging wedding vendors and bridal retailers who want your money, no different than a used car salesman.

FORBES: The Economics Of Saying 'I Do'

The brothers had no experience in the car industry, having made their money selling plastic cups, plates and gifts for Asian airlines.

ECONOMIST: Industry in eastern Germany

What I noticed was that no matter how much money they were making, what kind of car they drove, etc.

FORBES: 5 Lessons We've Learned (So Far) As Entrepreneurs At CircleUp

He said the compromise was that there would be no road closures but some free car parking would be removed to allow for work when money becomes available.

BBC: Compromise over Windermere parking plans

That leads to the second lesson: no matter what a car firm's other global strengths, it is hard to make good money these days without succeeding in America.

ECONOMIST: Mitsubishi and Mazda struggle, despite western partners