In 1893, bicycle mechanics (and brothers) J. Frank and Charles Duryea of Springfield, Mass. designed the first successful American gasoline automobile. An automotive gold rush ensued. A decade later, some 485 companies entered the automobile manufacturing business, all hoping to strike it rich as the gas-powered car redefined the world of transportation. Today, around 70 million new passenger cars are sold every single year. But almost none of these 485 companies that popped up back in the early 1900s turned into a success story. Less than 50 were still in operation by 1930-and just three accounted for 80% of the market.  The most expensive motorcycle ever sold at an auction was a 1908 Harley Davidson Strap Tank for $935,000 dollars.