Alchemist: the company that turns cars gold
Click above for more gruesome shots of gold-plated exotics
Do you ever wonder what company actually does the 24-carat gold plating jobs on those gilded exotic and luxury cars that surface on the web from time to time? Perhaps you're looking for someone to do the same to your Camry? Alchemist is the appropriately named company behind these works, and its specialty is gold plating just the roof panel, though it will to dip the entire car in gold for the right price. The company is based in London, England and headed by a Frenchman named Jacques Blanc, who will soon be taking a perfectly good Aston Martin DBS and gilding the entire thing with 24-carat gold and platinum-leaf at the upcoming MPH Show in London.
Gallery: Alchemist: Gold Plated Roofs
[Source: Alchemist]
Press Release:
THE COMPANY THAT GIVES SUPERCARS THE MIDAS TOUCH
London-based firm, Alchemist, will be showcasing its luxury car customisation service at this year's MPH show featuring Top Gear Live. The artisan company specialises in applying a lustrous coat of 24-carat gold to the roof of any car.
Alchemist uses an innovative new patented process to cover a car's roof with the purest gold leaf. Prices start at £12,500 and each rooftop is signed and numbered and the client presented with a certificate of authenticity. For wealthy supercar clients after extra-extravagant customisation, Alchemist can also embed precious gemstones into the gold leaf for drivers after lavish sparkling bodywork.
The company, run by French art director, Jacques Blanc, has been established in London since February 2008 and has completed custom gold-top finishes on Bentleys, Porsches, Mercedes and an Aston Martin.
Based in the heart of affluent Kensington, Jacques Blanc's 24-carat services are in growing demand from a wealthy clientele who require the ultimate in supercar customisation.
Jacques Blanc commented; "Gold-leafing vehicles isn't a new luxury. The Egyptians mastered the technique more than 3000 years ago and Tutankhamun's chariot was decorated with gold leaves. We are simply continuing this ancient and opulent tradition."
For MPH: The Prestige and Performance Motorshow, Jacques' team has plans to create the ultimate James Bond vehicle by completely gilding a new Aston Martin DBS, star car of Casino Royale and the upcoming Quantum of Solace, in 24-carat gold and platinum.
Tickets for MPH featuring Top Gear Live are available online at www.mphshow.co.uk/info or by calling the ticket hotline on 0871 230 7150.
Londoners will be the first to see MPH at Earls Court between 30 October – 2 November before the show moves to Birmingham's NEC between 13- 16 November.
For more information on Alchemist, visit www.goldenrooftop.com.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
2004m3driver 12:34PM (8/26/2008)
Perfect to protect you from golden showers.
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Frank 12:36PM (8/26/2008)
lol gross.
srDRIVEN 1:39PM (8/26/2008)
I wish there was also protection from the terrible photoshopped images of their aston and bently "clients." None of which actually appear to have had this work done
Alex 12:47PM (8/26/2008)
why the roof?
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aman 1:01PM (8/26/2008)
Because the roof is least conspicuous panel of a car.
Besides, imagine driving around in a car with a gold hood, or bumper, or door.
The only type of people who would be interested in dipping their perfectly good luxury car in an exotic material would be rappers, but even they prefer diamonds and silver.
Verdict: Pointless targer missed.
Mark 1:27PM (8/26/2008)
guessing it's a body part they cant steal.
paul34 1:20PM (8/26/2008)
Actually, aman, no target was missed. Rich arabs love this stuff. They enjoy the tacky, out of fashion style that all-gold things bring.
xpolarx 3:44PM (8/26/2008)
@ Mark:
All you need is two guys with 18v 7 1/2" circ saws and fiberglass blades. The noise would attract some attention, but if you practiced a bit, you could be in and out in 30 seconds. You wouldn't even trip the shock sensor. Guilt-free thievery...because you know if they are the type of person who would gold-plate their roof, they're the type of person who doesn't deserve it.
BoneHeadOtto 12:57PM (8/26/2008)
thats right up there with that custom Prius from a few days ago.....
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tuna 12:59PM (8/26/2008)
L-A-M-E.
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thad 1:35PM (8/26/2008)
just because you can doesn't mean you should.
also if that was the finished product presented to me I would want a refund it looks badly done.
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J Who 1:00PM (8/26/2008)
I love GOOOOOOLD!
But seriously, this is tacky as hell!
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Biomech 1:02PM (8/26/2008)
I think I speak for most of us when I ask: Why? O__o
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Zane 1:09PM (8/26/2008)
I'm guessing that the craptastic Bentley in the picture belongs to Al Fayed (Harrods)?
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jjpg2000 1:09PM (8/26/2008)
Jacques Blanc? You mean Jack Black?
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Shipey 1:15PM (8/26/2008)
Actually that would be Jack White of the White Stripes.
;)
fixitfixitstop 1:15PM (8/26/2008)
"Jacques Blanc? You mean Jack Black?"
"Blanc" means "White" in French.
Shipey 1:14PM (8/26/2008)
Thanks for this article. Know we know who to kill.
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N 1:55PM (8/26/2008)
I thought it was the Russians who loved this crap-tacky-ness.
Todd 1:23PM (8/26/2008)
My druid is an alchemist.
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