Gold and Ruby-encrusted Mercedes SLR McLaren – work of Swiss entrepreneur Ueli Anliker, is soon going to be put up for sale for a cool $11 million. This shiny Mercedes is the result of the more than 30,000 hours of work, up to 35 people involved in the transformation. Untold quantities of 24-carat gold and 600 rubies are embedded into this amazing car.
With his experience of 35 years, Anliker needed 13 months and all his passion to realise what he calls the Red Gold Dream. He also spent 5 million swiss francs ($5,4 million) on the materials used to build the car. This car is very dear to me, he told, but he wants to sell it: I am an entrepreneur, and I also have to think about all my dreams and money.
24-carat gold was used to cover the rims, logos, door handles, front and lateral radiators, as well as the upholstery. Almost 5 kilos (11 pounds) of gold were mixed with the red paint – Anliker used up to 25 layers of paint on parts of the vehicle. The 600 rubies were used to substitute wheel bolts, indicators, and buttons located inside the car.
The car has a GPS/GSM module into the vehicle and for any case Anliker has also included a two zone radar sensor that requests passer bys to stand clear of the car. The Red Gold Dream currently has 700 horsepower, but Anliker wants to bring it up to 1000 horsepower before putting it up for sale.
The car will be on the sale in February, when Anliker brings the custom SLR McLaren to Qatar for its first ever appearance in the Middle East. Prospective buyers have already emerged in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and even China, he told to newspaper. [Ueli Anliker]