At Manhattan Gold & Silver, we can usually thank pawnbrokers for bringing in curious and interesting items for refining. However, we don’t think we’d ever receive something as large, ornate, and expensive as one of India’s latest attractions: a gold-crusted car.
The model is a “Nano” micro car manufactured by native automaker, Tata Motors. The company teamed up with Titan industries – owners of the GoldPlus jewelry chain in India – to create the “GoldPlus Nano.” The car is covered from hood to tailpipe in over 176 lbs. of 22k gold.
However, it’s more than just simple gold plating. The GoldPlus Nano also has 33 lbs. of silver, and 10,000 jewels. All of it has been intricately arranged by some of India finest artisans to create a dazzling car that has to be seen to be believed.
Ironically, the Nano has a reputation as the world’s cheapest car with an average price of about $3,000. The GoldPlus Nano is the complete opposite – costing more than $4.5 million at today’s gold prices. It is probably worth much more, considering it’s ornate design. Tata currently has no plans to sell the vehicle and plans to use it to promote its line of normal Nanos.
Of course, the GoldPlus car isn’t driven around. This is not just to avoid thievery, but also to surely avoid all the head turning accidents it could cause!
