$8 Million Gold-Plated Rolls Redefines Excess
Evidently, at least one customer—identified only as a "businessman from the Middle East"—didn't get the memo that the world economy is in recession and commissioned the car seen here for the princely sum of $8.15 million. He received 265 lbs worth of 18K gold to replace the
regular Phantom's more plebeian chrome grille, door handles, trunk-lid trim, as well as the hinges and hardware that surround the rear seat picnic tables. Even the "RR" logos in the wheels received the royal treatment.
The Solid Gold Phantom's shiny accouterments were the handiwork of the United Kingdom's Stuart Hughes (a company that covers iPads and other electronic devices in the precious metal of your choice), and with gold currently trading at $1,640 per ounce, perhaps this car's bling-ification was intended as an investment. It's definitely an investment in the owner's safety, thanks to Eurocash AG, a custom coachbuilder from Switzerland that specializes in aftermarket armored vehicles. Eurocash claims that this particular Rolls can withstand assaults from AK-47s, Dragunov sniper rifles, and even hand grenades, which is—let's face it—a basic necessity when you're driving a moving metaphor for greed.
