Most Expensive Shift Knob

[Johnny]

Hey guys,

Ive decided to do something really outrageous in regards to a new shift knob for my car and was hoping for some peoples opinions from a design point of view to help make up my mind.

As your probably confused; few weeks ago i had to go and sell some gold oz' but i decided to keep a few for this project.

These gold 'coins' are almost pure and weigh just over 28grams each

First design idea is to use this trust gearknob and have the top molded out of gold rather than the original logo and have my name engraved into it.

The second design is to electroplate the entire knob in gold using something like this nismo shifter but im not quite sure if this is possible.

Anyways I hope for some advice and i will keep posted with updates on progress and pics of the finished product.

-Johnny

[bluey33]

My opinion, neither.

But if I had to choose, Trust option for sure

[75coupe]

from a design point of view wouldn't you need some fluffy dice or shag pile on the dash to go with it... you know like the pimp look... oh wait they call it DUB now don't they...

OK but in all seriousness - I think you would definitely need something to match it in with the rest of the car. say gold rims or gold dash surround or gold handbrake handle, it would need something or it will just look like another stick-on that matches nothing else...

An also think about the fact your going to have your hand on it all the time (no pun intended) and gold plating tarnishes so wouldn't you end up ith a green nob (again no pun intended), you would have to keep polishing it all the time...

[G0DZLR]

+1 as above but you couldalways clear coat it in something i spose. youd wanna have it fastened/locked on there somehow sturdy tho...gold is shiny....catches attention...not always from the right crowd

[Johnny]

from a design point of view wouldn't you need some fluffy dice or shag pile on the dash to go with it... you know like the pimp look... oh wait they call it DUB now don't they...

OK but in all seriousness - I think you would definitely need something to match it in with the rest of the car. say gold rims or gold dash surround or gold handbrake handle, it would need something or it will just look like another stick-on that matches nothing else...

An also think about the fact your going to have your hand on it all the time (no pun intended) and gold plating tarnishes so wouldn't you end up ith a green nob (again no pun intended), you would have to keep polishing it all the time...

Lmao at hand on nob!

Thanks for the replies so far, Im definitely going with the trust design now as its much easier and wont look out of place in the car.

the electroplating is very complicated and im sure will look ridiculous.

oh and the car dosent leave my garage anyways, i hardly drive it and never park it so it should be safe.

[bnr#@]

Doesnt gold heat up like crazy? wont it burn ure hand off in summer?

[75coupe]

hey yeah I forgot about that one, my alloy one heats up pretty bad, and gold is easier to heat up than alloy I believe (please someone correct me if I'm wrong).

I can't imagine it will be easy to do, using the gold that is on a gear knob.

You could always use the gold heat reflective wrap they use on engine parts, wrap all of your FMIC piping and engine bay bits, that way you have a theme happening...

It could look (although i'm not into it at all) if done right I guess... Just don't put flashy leds in it as well...

[RusH_]

if it was going to turn a different color people wouldnt wear gold jewellery... and it wouldnt be difficult to clean. if you want to go gold on the gear knob, maybe also try the button for the handbrake? spray the areas around the window controls in a gold colored paint?

[Johnny]

Looks like not many people are into it, definitely right though about gold heating up.

Im not using a theme in my car, it will be left stock just with the shifter. Maybe i should just get it turned into a nice keychain.

[RusH_]

could make it like a gtr badge having the silver/gold section around the outside made from real gold

[75coupe]

if it was going to turn a different color people wouldnt wear gold jewellery... and it wouldnt be difficult to clean. if you want to go gold on the gear knob, maybe also try the button for the handbrake? spray the areas around the window controls in a gold colored paint?

Well your right gold doesn't tarnish but gold plating does as is what I stated...

Gold plating is difficult to clean as electroplating will come off if your clean it incorrectly...

Gold spray paint? gees that would look classy and unless you did it really well or got it done professionall I can't see it being very permanent. Unless you got them all gold plated (which would come up shiny chrome like gold) which I believe is hard to find people to do in Aust, best place to get gold plating on plastic is in china...

[Craved]

Gold spray paint? gees that would look classy and unless you did it really well or got it done professionall I can't see it being very permanent. Unless you got them all gold plated (which would come up shiny chrome like gold) which I believe is hard to find people to do in Aust, best place to get gold plating on plastic is in china...

Bronzing studio in castle hill NSW does plastic gold chroming.. have never got anything done there, but it is an option.

http://www.bronzingstudio.com.au

there seems to be something wrong with their site right now though

[75coupe]

Bronzing studio in castle hill NSW does plastic gold chroming.. have never got anything done there, but it is an option.

http://www.bronzingstudio.com.au

there seems to be something wrong with their site right now though

thats interesting to know....

[PLYNX]

I can do a stock shape gold/black carbon fiber weave mat centre section. The center piece is clear for about 4mm in depth with the gold black underneath. Black side panels that look like the original. Been doing them a while in various colour combos but nobodys interested in them. Drop me a e-mail to [email protected] and I'll send you pics of a black/black carbon fiber center section one Ive got on my car

[NYTSKY]

From what i can see/count you have roughly 30 slugs of gold there.

30x28grams(1 ounce)xUS910.77= Where do you live?

[ebeeroo]

...ninja got my gearbox

[Bakes]

Gold plate the rocker cover

[MP_R33]

I think design option 1 is a good choice imo, will look very cool

At least it will be something thats never been done before either.. Go for it

Edited September 21, 2008 by MP_R33

[dkslong]

thats new.Hmm maybe if you use a razo shift nob.If they fit.Wow gold coated shift nob.