August 7, 2008: Russian Riches
 

Privatization of so many things formerly controlled by the Party/State, has made a few Russians wealthy. Some of them very (read billionaire) wealthy.

I suppose acquiring that much wealth in a short period of time, is bound to cause some of them, what I would call, Lottery Winners Syndrome.
You know, spending money by the bucket-load, buying everything they ever dreamed of when they didn't have money, no matter how crazy.

Supposedly, one of them had 40 lbs of gold, slapped on this Porsche. When I heard that I thought, "C'mon now, 40 lbs of gold leaf would do a fleet". But looking at the pictures, it doesn't look like gold leaf... it looks like little plates or something.

http://cellar.org/2008/GoldPorsche1.jpg
http://cellar.org/2008/GoldPorsche2.jpg

Even at $1,000 an ounce, it looks to me like the labor might even cost more than the gold.

And don't forget, that ain't no YUGO. :yelgreedy

I had to sell my gold-plated Porsche on craigslist because gas got too expensive for me. And the extra weight from that gold wasn't helping my fuel economy.

Tacky. But I suppose it would be rust-proof.

Imagine having a minor bingle in the car-park, scraping the car next to you .... ooooppppsssiiiieeeessss!

Grim.
It's not just the ostentation, it's the fact it looks cheap.

I would key that if I saw it lol, such a waste of money. Next time I say buy a car that actually looks good!

Many years ago in California I saw a black Porsche (?) with a license plate that read Pure Au. That plate should have been on this car. But I think the gold would be better on a Taurus - that being as close as a car could get to becoming a real golden calf.

Naaaah, it wreaks havoc with the aerodynamics of the car. :headshake

But at least he's spreading the money around :p

Now, solid gold would be an altogether different thing
http://www.westbrookjazz.de/gifs/cds/sgc1.jpg

i would key the car every chance i got as well, but then keep the scrapings and sell them. i'm kind of surprised no one has been arrested trying to steal a fender. ("screw the hubcaps, i want that side mirror...")

National Geographics has a Russia article in this issue. It claims that Moscow has more Billionaires than any other city on the planet. It also describes what seems to be a very sick lawless society.

I think the spoiler is nicely done.

He's gonna get a ticket for parking in the wrong direction... that'll set him back plenty.

They might not have them there - we don't.
Anyway, a car like that probably comes with a bodyguard. The sort that persuades people with a weapon, including traffic wardens.

I wouldn't kick it out of bed for eating crackers, but OMG! They better have a gold plated one of these suckers:

Anyway, how much for a plane ticket to Russia? I'm sick of working. Seriously.

I wouldn't want to drive that thing on a bright day. Imagine the glare coming off the hood.