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The £3million Toy

World's Most Expensive Model Car to be Auctioned

The £3million Toy
10 October 2011

The world's most expensive model car is to be sold at 12 times more than the original.

It will be auctioned for £3million ($4.7 million) in December, which is nearly 12 times the price of a life-size Aventador, currently on the market for just over £200,000 ($310,000).

German model maker Robert Wilhelm Gülpen, 52, has taken 500 hours to create the 1:8 scale replica of a Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4, with over 2000 precious stones.

Nearly £1.8 million worth of precious stones and metals have gone into this piece of auto-art.

Former mechanical engineer Robert Gülpen explained: "Essentially the model is made out of solid gold and platinum. And it is not a model car. It is a piece of art.

"The body of the prototype additionally features genuine carbon fiber, as used in Formula 1 cars; gold and platinum rims and to add that extra wow factor diamonds in the seats, steering wheel and headlights."

For Gülpen the car model name indicates the number of jewels o the front seats to be used: Aventador LP 700-4 that means 7000 pieces of precious stones per seat.

It has already secured three entries into the Guinness Book of World Records. Firstly, the most expensive and most precious model car in the world, secondly the most secure showcase which comes with it, made from bullet-proof glass and thirdly the most precious Lamborghini logo ever made.

If a potential buyer doesn't feel like waiting until the Christmas period for the car industry's version of the crown jewels, then they can buy the model car now by shelling out an extra million pounds.

They can go to Robert directly to secure the model car for themselves before it goes to auction for a fixed price of £4,144,646. They have the option to personalise the model car.

The buyer can decide whether they want to remain anonymous or have worldwide media coverage.

Mr Gülpen has been creating luxury model car models from solid precious metals such as gold, silver and platinum for over twelve years.

The model was recently showcased in a bulletproof glass case equipped with electronic safeguards, at the International Motor Show, IAA in Frankfurt during September.

The object is now ready to go on a world tour and will be displayed in exhibitions in most major cities.

It will be auctioned in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, USA, China or Russia and a considerable share of the auction price achieved will be presented to a registered charity organisation.

Robert Gülpen graduated in mechanical engineering and before he founded his own company he worked for the research department of Mercedes-Benz. This is where he came up with the idea of designing exclusive model cars.

His first model was the Mercedes SL 600 and now he builds miniature gold, silver or platinum automobiles for other high-end car manufactures.

For more information or to contact Robert directly about the model car visit: www.guelpen.com

Images: RGE Robert Gülpen Engineering/Rex Features