Gold coated Aston Martin DB-7

If that bright red Bentley Continental GT just isn't getting the kind of attention you want on Rodeo Drive, maybe it isn't your car that's not flashy enough, but your paint. To fix this, one entrepreneur has launched a new company called Alchemist, which specializes in giving cars that little extra something by coating their roofs with 24-carat gold. And now for those who literally have nothing left to spend their money on, Alchemist is debuting its latest creation, an Aston Martin DB7 covered entirely with gold and platinum, in honor of the new James Bond film "Quantum of Solace."

The day after the new Bond flick opens in the U.K., Alchemist will showcase this one-off at the MPH Motor Show at London's Earls Court. Besides a bling-tastic paint job, the Aston also sports seven diamonds embedded in the bodywork to commemorate 007, highlighting Alchemist's ability to coat a car with precious gems if a customer wants them (and plans to never park on the street).

Art director and company founder Jacques Blanc believes that Alchemist brings automotive personal expression to a new level, saying "Forget the everyday optional extras offered by car manufacturers, this is the King Midas of customization and the gold standard of luxury." Using a patented process that takes about a week, Alchemist craftsmen first polish a car's roof, cover it with individual gold leaves, then coat it with an invisible shield that makes the gold scratch-proof and (most important) impossible to pick off. Each roof is signed and numbered, and comes with its own certificate of authenticity.

If you'd like to know more about the 24-carat Aston that "even the world's most famous secret agent couldn't stay incognito in," the MPH Motor Show runs from October 30 to November 2 and includes a performance from Top Gear Live. Besides gold, Alchemist can also coat cars with a film of platinum or palladium, and for those who've had to trade in their supercar because of the faltering economy, don't worry -- the company is happy to give cheaper items, like laptops, the 24-carat treatment as well.

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Ferrari history

History

Enzo Ferrari was born on February 18, 1898 near Modena, Italy. When he was 10 his father took him to an automobile race in Bologna. After attending a number of other races, he decided he wanted to become a racing car driver.

While working at a small carmaker involved with converting war surplus, Ferrari took up racing. In 1919 he finished ninth at the Targa Florio. He ended up landing a job with Alfa Romeo and drove a modified production car in the 1920 Targa Florio. Ferrario managed to finish second.

In 1923 while racing at the Circuit of Sivocci at Ravenna he was approached by Count Enrico and Countess Paolina Baracca, the parents of the heroic Italian pilot Francesco Baracca. Francesco was known as the Italian ace of aces. He died on Mount Montello during the war. His parents gave Ferrari their son's squadron badge, which was the famous prancing horse on a yellow shield.

Enzo Ferrari was connected with Alfa Romeo for many years, however, he built only a few sports cars bearing his name and his famous prancing horse badge. In 1929 Enzo formed the Scuderia Ferrari with the aim of organizing racing for members. The Scuderia Ferrari team competed in 22 events and scored 8 victories and several good placings.

In 1940 Enzo Ferrari left Alfa Romeo and started a new company Auto-Avio Costruzioni Ferrari. During World War II the Ferrari workshop moved from Modena to Maranello. The workshop became a victim of the war in 1944 - it was leveled by bombs. A year after the war in 1946 the shop was rebuilt and work began on the first ever Ferrari motorcar, the 125 Sport. This car started a grand tradition of winning for Ferrari. Since it's first race in 1947, Ferrari's have had over 5,000 successes on race tracks around the globe.

In 1969 Enzo Ferrari sold 50% of Ferrari's share capital to the Fiat group. That figure grew to 90% in 1988. Enzo Ferrari died at the age of 90 in Modena on August 14, 1988.

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