Red Gold Dream: Mercedes SLR McLaren with Rubies and Gold Priced at $11m
Swiss entrepreneur Ueli Anliker transformed a Mercedes SLR McLaren into the Red Gold Dream, covering it with gold and rubies and raising its value to $11 million.
A Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren finished with hundreds of rubies and extensive gold trim has been valued at $11 million after a dramatic customisation by Swiss businessman Ueli Anliker. The car, named the Red Gold Dream SLR, is one of the most heavily modified SLRs in existence, both in appearance and price.
Anliker, a club owner and restaurateur, spent several years and millions of dollars converting his SLR McLaren into a car that stands out even among the world’s most extravagant supercars. The project began with a standard SLR McLaren, a model jointly developed by Mercedes-Benz and McLaren and sold between 2003 and 2009. The original car was powered by a 5.4-litre supercharged V8 producing 617hp and 780Nm of torque, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission.
Gold, Rubies and a Power Upgrade
The Red Gold Dream SLR is distinguished by its application of 500 rubies and 14-karat gold across body panels, interior trim and controls. The gold is not limited to decorative elements: it covers switchgear, the steering wheel, door handles and even the wheels. Anliker claims the car’s materials alone account for much of its value, and the visual effect is impossible to ignore.
Anliker has also increased the car’s power output. He claims the engine now produces 700hp, up from the standard 617hp, and has stated his ambition to reach 1,000hp before final sale. The cost of the modifications, which began at $4.3 million, has risen to an asking price of $11 million according to Anliker. The car’s target market is said to be ultra-wealthy collectors, particularly in the Middle East and China, where demand for unique, high-value vehicles remains strong.
How the Red Gold Dream SLR Compares to the Standard Model
| Specification | Red Gold Dream SLR | Standard SLR McLaren |
|---|---|---|
| Engine power | 700hp (claimed, target 1,000hp) | 617hp |
| Materials | Gold, rubies, custom paint | Standard paint, aluminium, carbon fibre |
| Estimated value | $11 million | Approx. $500,000 (2011 value) |
| Production | 1 (custom build) | Approx. 2,100 units |
While the SLR McLaren was already an exclusive supercar, Anliker’s Red Gold Dream moves the car into a different category, both in terms of price and visual impact. The modifications have divided opinion, with some describing the car as a showcase of excess and others seeing it as a collector’s item for those seeking something unique.
For more on unusual SLR McLaren projects, seeRussian-Built SLR McLaren Replica Channels Mad Max Aesthetic.
