A Lamborghini Aventador costs $379,000, which is serious money by almost anyone’s definition. That investment buys you a 700 horsepower supercar, and the envy of your friends and neighbors. Like most cars, the more you drive an Aventador, the less it’s worth; even if you park it in your garage and never drive it, it’s likely going to be years (or even decades) before the car increases in value.
On the other hand, art can often be a good investment, which is why German artist / model maker Robert Gulpen crafts exotic cars out of precious metals, exotic components and rare gems. His models typically take 200 hours to complete, and the price of each one is “available on request.” Let’s be honest here: if the price of a sterling silver with gold accents Mercedes Benz 300 SL Roadster, in 1:16 scale, is even a concern, then you’re not a serious customer.
Also, don’t forget that you can get discounted new car pricing with a free quote through qualified local dealer partners.
For REALLY serious customers, Robert Gulpen has created the world’s most expensive model. His rendering of a Lamborghini Aventador, in 1:8 scale, is built from real carbon fiber blended with gold thread just 1/1000 of a millimeter in diameter. The rims and the interior parts are both cast from gold and platinum, and the seats are inlaid with diamonds and other gemstones.
Gulpen estimates that he’s got about $2.8 million worth of raw materials in the car, plus some 500 hours spent crafting it. When it hits auction in December, the starting bid will be $4.83 million, which makes this the most expensive model car ever created. Gulpen has snapped up two other world records with the project as well, including the most expensive Lamborghini logo and the world’s safest display showcase.
If the car sells at auction, Gulpen has committed to donating $690,000 to charity. That may be noble, but we’re still calling this stupid money; if blowing five million dollars on a model car (even one crafted from precious metals) sounds like a good idea, you simply have too much money.
Source: Carscoop, via Left Lane News and You Tube
Kurt Ernst has been passionate about automobiles and driving nearly his entire life. His early years were shaped working in the family service station, though his real passion was auto racing. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Kurt spent a year club racing with the Sports Car Club of America, before focusing on a business career in marketing and project management. Later, his passion for writing and the automotive hobby found him freelancing for a variety of automotive news sites, including Automotive Addicts and Motor Authority, where his work was syndicated and appeared in several national publications. Recognized as an expert in the automotive field, Kurt joined Hemmings Motor News as an Associate Editor in 2013, and in the years since has progressed to Editor, Hemmings Daily; Managing Editor for Hemmings Motor News, Hemmings Classic Car, Hemmings Muscle Machines, and the Hemmings Daily; and now, Managing Editor, Hemmings Auctions. Kurt was instrumental in organizing the Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance from 2013-2019, and has served as a judge at this event and The Vintage Racing Stable Concours d’Elegance. A Skip Barber Racing School graduate and prolific writer, Ernst is also skilled in copyediting, project management, brand development, and public relations.