A car can be more than just a practical means of taking you from point A to point B; it can also make a statement about who you are. For some people, a luxury sedan, a powerful convertible, or a big SUV is enough. But for others, the best way to get their message across is the addition of "bling." Think of it as "jewelry" and "clothing" for your car — everything from gemstone-encrusted wheel covers to interiors supplied by the world's top fashion labels. Who buys these high-end accessories? They've become very popular with hip-hop artists, athletes, celebrities and the ultra-rich for one simple reason: because they can.
Let's start with some extraordinary ways to decorate the outside of your car. Big, spinning rims in chrome or alloy are a common addition. Some enthusiasts go beyond the typical with gold-plated rims. Cubic zirconias, Swarovski crystals or even real diamonds can be set into the spokes. These can cost anywhere from $20,000 to $200,000. And if the big wheels and rims that you want are out of your reach, you can rent them.
Swarovski crystal-covered license plates are also a way to add sparkle and shine to your car, and they come in clear, yellow, blue or pink. MTV has been giving away the types of license plates made by License 2 Bling as gifts to celebrities who attend its award shows. Another company, IcedOutEmz, sells Chevrolet and Ford emblems covered in Swarovski crystals.
These shiny, sparkling additions to cars can be fun, but you can also take that esthetic and apply it to the entire body of the car. Rapper 50 Cent's Lamborghini Murciélago was already a luxury super car, but he decided to make it even flashier by getting a custom mirrored chrome paint job by Alsa Corporation. Pearlescent, prismatic and special paint jobs that can simulate the look of snakeskin, marble and other finishes are also a step above the norm. If metallic or sparkly finishes aren't your thing, consider color-shifting paint. Your car can change from green to blue and every shade in between as the light varies. Remember mood rings and those color-shifting T-shirts? You can also get temperature-shifting paint jobs that react to heat, the sun, water or even just a touch.
Gold can be the ultimate status symbol, so several companies have customized cars with bodies covered in this precious metal. Last year, German jewelry company Visualis commissioned an artist to cover a Porsche Boxter in 22-karat beaten gold and has plans to produce nine more. In fact, buyers can get any Porsche they want covered in gold. The smallest gilded Boxter can cost up to $200,000.
Cars can also be covered in Swarovski crystals — and not just in solid colors. Burkitt & Burkitt has scale models of cars covered in images of everything from the Beatles to rap artists to the Statue of Liberty. You can commission a full-sized Swarovski crystal-covered car with any image that you want.
As you might expect, these designer vehicles are usually created in very small quantities — otherwise, they couldn't be called "limited editions." However, you can always show your affinity for a particular designer by getting your car customized. Many designers license materials in their signature colors and styles that can be used for seat and floor coverings or as replacement for your dashboard trim.
This article was first published on https://www.autotrader.com/car-reviews/bling-your-car-26401
Comentarios