General Knowledge Info

World’s Most Expensive Tires

2011-08-08T13:44:00.004-07:00

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World’s Most Expensive Tires

In 2009, a British transportation museum paid a pretty penny for tires, but are they the most expensive tires in the world?

1929 Leyland Lion bus tires
$800 each

The Lincolnshire Road Transport Museum’s premier exhibit, a 1929 Leyland Lion bus, required new tires to make it roadworthy for the museum’s 50th anniversary. In order to replace the old and significantly cracked tires, the museum was eventually forced to order specialty tiles from America.

The Leyland Lion is the only surviving example of its model, the other three having been scrapped after serving as transport during World War II. This particular bus was used as a snowplow until it became the museum’s first acquisition around 1954.

Michelin PAX tires for Bugatti Veyron – $9,065 each

It makes some sense that the world’s most expensive car would have proportionately expensive tires. The car uses specialized Michelin PAX run-flat tires, which can be used for a short time after the tire has been punctured.

Michelin tires for Caterpillar 797 – $42,500 each

Truly the most expensive tires in the world, the Michelin 59/80R63 XDR tires required for the Caterpillar 797 dump trucks are a massive 13 feet tall and weigh 11,680 lbs. They are the largest tires in the world. These tires require 47 nuts to be attached to the axle. Six of these enormous tires can hold up to 1,375,000 lbs of truck and load.

World’s Most Expensive Christmas Trees

2011-08-08T13:44:00.003-07:00

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World’s Most Expensive Christmas Trees

Nothing says “Merry Christmas!” like a Christmas tree. Every few years, it seems, the world’s most expensive Christmas tree is outdecked, outjingled and outpriced by the most expensive Christmas tree in the world.

Soo Kee Jewellery Diamond Christmas Tree, 2007
US $1,005,000

Bugis Junction, a shopping mall in Singapore, may just have had the merriest Christmas in the world in 2007.

Soo Kee Jewellery produced the expensive tree, decking it with 21,798 diamonds (913 carats total), 3,762 crystal beads and 456 lights. The tree is nearly 20 feet tall and weighs in at over 7,000 pounds. Just remember that Christmas isn’t about how much money you can afford to spend decking the halls and giving gifts. That’s what they’ve been telling me, anyway.

Ginza Tanaka 24k gold Christmas Tree, 2008
US $1.6 million

This golden tree is adorned with 240 jewels—diamonds and strings of pearls included—and weighs in at 46 pounds total. That’s a far cry from Soo Kee Jewellery’s 7,000-pound, 20-foot Christmas tree. The gold tree was on display at the Ginza Tanaka jewelry shop in Shinsaibashi, Osaka throughout the 2008 holiday season.

Emirates Palace Christmas Tree, 2010
US $11.4 million

In 2010, the merriest Christmas goes to patrons of the Emirates Palace hotel in Abu Dhabi, as their extravagant tree has smashed the previous record. While decked with over $11 million in jewelry from Style Gallery, the tree itself is merely a 13-foot faux evergreen. The jewels include 181 diamonds, pearls, emeralds, sapphires and other precious stones. This is certainly a fitting decoration for one of the most expensive hotels in the world.

China’s Most Expensive Rail Line

2011-08-08T13:44:00.002-07:00

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China’s Most Expensive Rail Line

Considering the controversy over high speed rail in the US, it is significant that China’s most expensive rail line has just become operational.

The line crosses 234 miles from Yichang City, Hubei, to Chongqing’s Wanzhou district. It took 50,000 workers to drill the 159 tunnels and build the 253 bridges necessary for the line to traverse a stretch of mountains, and the overall cost came in at a staggering $3.41 billion.

The benefits of this line include a shorter trip between Yichang and Chongqing—from 22 hours to a mere 5 hours—and the increased opportunities that a shorter trip will provide to residents along the line.

Is it worth the price? Only time will tell. Considering China’s efforts to upgrade from standard to high speed rail, who knows how much higher the final cost of this line will be?

World’s Most Expensive Vases

2011-08-08T13:44:00.001-07:00

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World’s Most Expensive Vases

Some of the earliest pottery has been discovered in China, dating back to 9000 BC, and ceramic goods from the region can be traced back to the dynasties under which they were created. In fact, the first porcelain is believed to have been created under the Han dynasty from 202 BC to 220 AD. As China’s history is rich with beautiful ceramic art, it’s no surprise that the most expensive vases in the world are Chinese.

Ming dynasty vase – over US $10 million

The Ming dynasty ruled China from 1368 to 1644. That era in Chinese history saw the creation of a startling amount of carved lacquerwares, glazed porcelain wares, embroidered silks and works of art in a variety of other materials. The Empire of the Great Ming also produced a great number of forgeries designed to part unsuspecting purchasers from their wealth. This was such a problem, in fact, that guides were printed to help detect such forgery. We can be sure, then, that this vase is quite authentic.

Hailing from the time of Hongwu, the founder of the Ming dynasty, the expensive vase was most recently purchased at auction by Steve Wynn. The Las Vegas casino owner and insatiable art collector is often criticized by the art community for paying high prices for second-rate pieces, but this purchase is certainly an exception. The 14th century vase is decorated in copper red scrolling flowers and is, well preserved as it is, quite rare.

Mr. Wynn purchased the expensive vase at the Christie’s Imperial Sale in Hong Kong for 78,520,000 Hong Kong dollars. Rather than keep it locked away in his private collection, however, he returned the vase to China by donating it to a Macau museum.

Qianlong vase – over US $80 million

The Qing dynasty succeeded the Ming dynasty and ruled China until 1911. The Qianlong Emperor became the fifth emperor of the Qing dynasty in 1736 and, during his time in power, imperial supervisor Tang Ying authored an illustrated memoir called “Twenty Illustrations of the Manufacture of Porcelain.”

This 18th-century porcelain vase was inherited by a mother and son who, if reports are to be believed, have gone into hiding due to the £12 million in taxes they will be expected to pay after the vase, only expected to sell for £1.2 million, reached an amazing £53 million at auction.

The buyer was a wealthy Chinese industrialist and collector of antiquities.

Most Expensive English Furniture

2011-08-08T13:44:00.000-07:00

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Most Expensive English Furniture

England’s long and storied history has produced one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, various masterful literary works and some equally masterful pieces of furniture.

The Harrington Commode—no, not that kind of commode; it’s a chest of drawers—broke a record for English furniture when it was sold at a Sotheby’s in London auction in late 2010. The chest is thought to have been crafted around 1770 by London cabinet maker Thomas Chippendale, whose Rococo and Neoclassical works informed the style of the period. The most expensive piece of English furniture is made of gilt-lacquered fustic, rosewood and tulipwood mounted with brass.

The chest sold for £3,793,250—just under US $6 million. That’s ove three times its estimate and £1 million more than the holder of the previous record, another of Chippendale’s works.

World’s Most Expensive Diamonds

2011-08-08T12:00:00.004-07:00

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World’s Most Expensive Diamonds

Carat for carat, rubies and emeralds generally outprice the common diamond. Certain rare specimens of diamond, however, will eclipse even the priciest examples of those other gemstones. While some priceless gems exist, such as the world famous Hope Diamond, these are the most expensive diamonds ever sold.

The Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond – $23.4 million

The Wittelsbach-Graff diamond is a 35.56-carat blue diamond mined in India. The historic diamond was chosen by King Philip IV of Spain as part of the dowry for his daughter, the Infanta Margarita Teresa. Her suitor, Leopold I, later became Holy Roman Emperor and passed the diamond on to his heirs after she died in 1673. When the Archduchess of Austria married Bavaria’s Crown Prince in 1722, the diamond became known as “Der Blaue Wittelsbacher” (The Blue Wittelsbach) after the Crown Prince’s family. This diamond became the most expensive diamond in the world after being sold to London-based jeweler Laurence Graff in 2008. Graff immediately had the gem altered in order to enhance its color and remove some damage to its girdle, an action decried by some gemstone experts.

The Graff Pink – $46 million

Before this 24.78-carat “fancy intense pink” diamond was sold in 2010 to Mr. Graff at a Sotheby’s in London auction, it had last been sold by renowned jeweler Harry Winston. Pink diamonds are extremely valuable and only the rarest weigh more than 20 carats. It is unknown whether or not Graff plans to alter the Graff Pink. Sotheby’s made an additional $60 million on diamonds at the same auction.

World’s Most Expensive Scotch Whiskies

2011-08-08T12:00:00.003-07:00

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World’s Most Expensive Scotch Whiskies

Scotch whisky is produced and aged, as the name suggest, in Scotland. By law, Scotch must be made from malted grain, must be matured in oak casks for at least three years and must have an alcoholic strength of less than 94.8% by volume. The age statement on a bottle of Scotch is determined by the youngest stock used in its production. The most expensive scotch whiskies in the world were each produced in one of the regions traditionally considered part of the Highlands region.

The Macallan 1926 – $54,000

This whisky, bottled in 1986 and rebottled in 2002, was auctioned in 2007 at Christie’s in New York. The auction was the first liquor auction allowed in New York state since the prohibition in 1920, and the Macallan was only expected to sell for between $20,000 and $30,000. The Macallan was produced in Speyside, formerly considered part of the Highlands region.

Dalmore 62 – $58,000

This single Highland malt Scotch whisky from the Dalmore Distillery in Inverness, Scotland, was one of only twelve bottles produced in 1943 from four single malts dating from 1868, 1876, 1926 and 1939. Each was labeled with its own unique name, this one being called Matheson after the Dalmore Estate’s owner, Alexander Matheson. It was purchased for £32,000 at the Pennyhill Park Hotel in Surrey, where the anonymous buyer reportedly shared it with five of his friends. It has been speculated that the buyer and his friends are the only people to have actually enjoyed a bottle of the expensive vintage.

Dalmore 64 Trinitas – $160,100

Yet another product of the Dalmore Distillery, Trinitas is so named because only three bottles of this expensive whisky have been made. The whisky is a blend of rare stocks, including some that have been maturing at the distillery for more than 140 years. Two bottles were sold in Glasgow in 2010, one to a US-based collector and one to a UK-based investor. It is the first Scotch to sell for six figures.

The Macallan 64 Year Old in Lalique – $460,000

A bottle of 64-year-old Macallan, the oldest whisky ever bottled by the Macallan distillery, became the most expensive whisky in the world when it sold at a charity auction in November, 2010. The catch, however, is that the auction also included a one-of-a-kind crystal decanter.

The decanter was created by Lalique using lost-wax casting, called “cire perdue” in French. The decanter was created to celebrate the anniversary of master glassmaker René Lalique’s birth. It is based on a decanter from the 1920s, when The Macallan distillery was founded. The crystal decanter and its expensive cargo have toured twelve cities to raise awareness for charity: water, including Paris, London, Hong Kong and its final stop at Sotheby’s in New York.

The entirety of the sale price of this expensive whisky was donated to charity: water. In addition, US $145,000 were raised for charity: water during the Macallan’s “tour du monde“.

Charity: water is a non-profit organization that distributes water to developing countries.

World’s Most Expensive Beers

2011-08-08T12:00:00.002-07:00

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World’s Most Expensive Beers

Beer is one of the oldest drinks known to man—and one of this writer’s favorites. While many people enjoy drinking light and less expensive beer, there are still some beer connoisseurs out there. If you don’t believe it, then check out the proof–the world’s most expensive beers.

Tutankhamun Ale – $52 per bottle

This expensive beer has a peculiar history. It’s brewed in a Cambridge laboratory from a recipe discovered in the Queen Nefertiti’s Temple of the Sun in Egypt. The beer is named after the queen’s stepson, more commonly known as King Tut. The temple, which housed a brewery, is believed to have been built by King Akenhaten, Tut’s predecessor and likely father. This beer is also limited and may be purchased for $52 per bottle.

Samuel Adams Utopias – $100 per bottle

Vintage No. 1 may be four times as expensive as Samuel Adams/Boston Beer Company’s Utopias, the former most expensive beer, but Utopias still holds a Guinness World Record for being the strongest beer at 50 proof.

Utopias was brewed with a blend of high-quality hops and sold in an ornate copper-plated brew kettle and offers a flavor unlike any other expensive beer or beverage in the world. The sweet flavor is richly highlighted with hints of vanilla, oak and caramel. The expensive beer is non-carbonated and should be served at room temperature.

Production of Utopias was limited to 8,000 bottles.

Carlsberg Vintage 3 – $348 per bottle

The Carlsberg Group, a brewing company founded in 1847 and named after founder J. C. Jacobsen’s son Carl, is best known for their light-bodied lager, Carlsberg Pilsner (also known as Carlsberg Beer or Carlsberg Hof). In 2008, however, Carlsberg introduced another beer guaranteed to be linked to the Carlsberg name in the public consciousness, Vintage 1.

Vintage 3 is the third in the trilogy of beers created from 2008 to 2010. At the time of its launch, the “pale barley wine” was the only available beer to have been aged in French Côte d’Or oak barrels in the Carlsberg founder’s original cellar. Only 1,000 bottles of this exclusive beer were hand tapped and labeled with art by Kaspar Bonnén and two artists selected from the Radiant Copenhagen project.

The price of Vintage 1, 2,008 Danish kroner, reflected the year it was introduced. The brewer introduced Vintage 2 in 2009 and Vintage 3 in 2010, priced at 2,009 and 2,010 kroner respectively.

Brewdog’s “The End of History” – $765 per bottle

Well, PETA is going to have a field day with this one. Scottish brewery BrewDog has produced a beer served in bottles as shocking as the beer’s extremely high alcoholic content.

Only eleven bottles of this expensive beer, named after a book by philosopher Francis Fukuyama, were produced. The blond Belgian ale, infused with nettles from the Scottish Highlands and fresh juniper berries, is 55 percent alcohol and will be BrewDog’s final high ABV beer.

The bottles, however, are the beer’s most striking aspect–each one is encased in a squirrel or weasel stuffed by a gifted taxidermist. The four grey squirrels and seven weasels selected were all roadkill, however, so their immortalization as beer bottles may actually be considered more respectful than ignominious roadside decomposition.

Antarctic Nail Ale – $800

If your conscience rails at the thought of drinking beer clothed in roadkill, perhaps you’ll find this entry on our list of the world’s most expensive beers more to your taste. Australia’s Nail Brewing Company has been brewing craft beer for nearly a decade, and their limited edition Antarctic Nail Ale sold at auction for a record-breaking price. Best of all, that money is going straight to charity.

This expensive beer was brewed with actual Antarctic ice. Only thirty bottles were produced, and the number one bottle was sold by the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society at an auction in Fremantle, Western Australia.

Sea Shepherd opposes whaling in the Antarctic sanctuary. They are also selling bottles numbered two through ten to support their cause. The number one bottle was purchased by the Elliot Syndicate.

World’s Most Expensive Yachts

2011-08-08T12:00:00.001-07:00

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World’s Most Expensive Yachts

The Jacht was originally a lightweight Dutch naval vessel used to pursue pirates in shallow waters. When King Charles II chose to sail in one on his return to England in what would later be known as the English Restoration, the Jacht became a symbol of important and, eventually, wealth and luxury. Today, that tradition is still quite alive and nothing demonstrates that fact better than the most expensive yachts in the world.

Octopus – $200 million

Owned by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, Octopus is the world’s eighth largest yacht. The 414-foot yacht was first launched in 2003. The yacht has two helicopters, a submarine with room for ten men and seven boats. For those who’d like to see the ocean floor, the yacht even includes a remote controlled vehicle to do so.

Rising Sun – $200 million

Co-owned by Oracle’s Larry Ellison and media mogul David Geffen, Rising Sun is 453-feet and five stories of oceangoing luxury. It was built with one goal in mind—to exceed the size of Paul Allen’s Octopus, above. This pricey yacht has 8,000 feet of living space with onyx countertops and Jacuzzi bathrooms, a spa and sauna, a gym and even a private movie theatre with an enormous plasma screen.

Lady Moura – $210 million

This 344-foot mega-yacht is owned by billionaire Nasser Al-Rashid. It features a pool with retractable roof, a 75-foot dining table crafted by Viscount Linley and a helicopter. Lady Moura’s most remarkable feature, however, is the beach resort that slides out of one side of the boat. The mini resort features not only sand and deck chairs, but even includes palm trees for a truly authentic resort experience.

Dubai – $350 million

This costly yacht has gone by three names since its conception—Platinum 525, Golden Star and, most recently, Dubai. The Platinum 525 was commissioned by Prince Jefri Bolkiah of Brunei in 1996, but a lack of funds caused the project to be abandoned a scant couple of years later. In 2001, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, then Crown Prince and now ruler of Dubai, took over the project and renamed it the Golden Star. Dubai is as expansive as it is expensive. The 525-foot yacht features an owner’s suite, five VIP suites and a number of guest bedrooms. The bridge features the captain’s quarters, an office and a lounge. The foyer and atrium connects each deck while lighting them from above via skylight. The luxury yacht is powered by four diesel engines with over 9,000 horsepower altogether.

Streets of Monaco – $1.1 billion

The amazing Streets of Monaco yacht will not only rival Roman Abramovich’s Eclipse (below) in price, but also in sheer audacity. Rather than being the largest or most secure yacht in the world, Monaco will feature scaled-down reproductions of landmarks from its namesake city-state. This 500-foot yacht will feature a go-kart track on deck inspired by the Monaco Grand Prix, as well as reproductions of the Hotel de Paris, La Rascasse and the Loews Hotel. It’s being designed by Yacht Island Design of Derbyshire County in England and will accomodate 16 guests and 70 crewmembers. For the owner, a 4,800-square-foot suite with three floors is planned.

Eclipse – $1.2 billion

Russian billionaire and Chelsea football club owner Roman Abramovich’s super-yacht will be a 560-foot monster requiring a minimum of 70 crewmembers and featuring eleven guests. Abramovich and his guests will be protected by a security system that uses laser bursts to foil digital paparazzi photography when activated, anti-bugging and anti-intruder systems and a missile detection system. They’ll also enjoy a swimming pool that can be drained and used as a dance floor, an additional swimming pool and an aquarium. The yacht holds two helicopters, three boats and a submarine.

World’s Most Expensive Classic Motorcycle

2011-08-08T12:00:00.000-07:00

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World’s Most Expensive Classic Motorcycle

Lawrence of Arabia atop a Brough Superior SS100

Sure new motorcycles utilize technology that comes from NASA or the Air Force or whatever, but some people will always prefer the historical value of a classic motorcycle. Take, for instance, the most expensive classic motorcycle in the world–the Brough Superior SS100.

Each of these bikes was custom built and designed by George Brough in Nottingham, England. The SS100 was the fastest motorcycle of its time. The bike’s engine was a 1,000 cc twin-cam KTOR JAP V twin. In 1927, the SS100 achieved a record speed of 130 mph. In 1928, Brough broke that record by .6 mph. It was, as advertised, the “Rolls Royce of Motorcycles.”

Lawrence of Arabia owned one of the first SS100 motorcycles and it was a crash on an SS100 motorcycle that took his life in 1935. That bike is now on display at the Imperial War Museum in London.

The most expensive classic motorcycle was sold at auction at The Haynes International Motor Museum in October, 2010. Its final price was an astonishing £286,000 (US $442,000).

World’s Most Expensive Calendars

2011-08-08T11:47:00.004-07:00

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World’s Most Expensive Calendars

Considering phones, watches, MP3 players and desktop computers are all too happy to tell you today’s date, it seems as if traditional calendars lack a place in the modern world. If your calendar is one of the most expensive calendars in the world, well, the form may be more important to you than the function.

Ginza Tanaka 2011 Gold Miffy Calendar – $655,000

Two-thousand eleven is the year of the rabbit, and Japanese jewelry house Ginza Tanaka is celebrating that fact with a solid gold calendar featuring Dutch artist Dick Bruna’s creation, a rabbit called Miffy. The calendar is made with 6 ounces of pure gold and measures 2 feet tall and over 1 foot wide.

Porsche Design Advent Calendar – $1 million

This ultra expensive calendar is truly the gift that keeps on giving. Not only is the calendar itself almost 6 feet tall and made with brushed aluminum with double-coat finished surfaces, it’s also filled with exciting Porsche items. Behind the twenty-four lit windows marking the days leading up to Christmas, Porsche Design has placed an array of goodies including a Porsche Design P’6910 Indicator watch in rosé gold, an individually customizable Porsche Design Kitchen P’7340 and a 27-foot motor yacht.

Only five of these calendars have been created and only one will be sold on any continent.

World’s Most Expensive Golf Carts

2011-08-08T11:47:00.003-07:00

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World’s Most Expensive Golf Carts

It shouldn’t be surprising that golfers, numbering doctors and other affluent individuals among their ranks, have some fairly expensive pieces of equipment available to them. From clubs to bags and even ball markers, there seems to be no end to the luxurious versions of standard golf equipment.

Hummer H2 golf cart – $19,999

Based on the military’s HMMWV, or Humvee, Hummer proved popular in the States before General Motors’ bankruptcy forced them to look into selling the brand. This Hummer H2 body kit, licensed by GM, is built over a 3.75 hp aluminum club car chassis. The electric cart is an NEV capable of speeds up to 20 mph and includes headlights, turn signals and brake lights. As for convenience, the cart also includes a cooler under the hood, storage under the seat, a tinted windshield, fog lights, glove boxes, a fold-down tailgate and, of course, drink holders. It’s stamped with H2 logos on the sides and rear bumper and has another pair of bumpers embroidered into the seats. It even has the option of either a carbon fiber or wood grain dashboard.

Garia Edition Soleil de Minuit Golf Car – $52,000

From the Porsche factory in Finland comes a golf car with practically any feature you could ask for. The aesthetically pleasing cart is a limited edition of the standard Garia golf car with custom paint, two-colored hand-stitched seats and a carbon roof lined with alcantara, as well as standard Garia features such as two golf bag carriers, a painted utility box, scratch-resistant side skirts, a scorecard and penholder on the steering wheel. Perhaps the most impressive Garia feature, though, is the optional dashboard refrigerator. You’ll never want for a cold drink on the links again.

Garia LSV – $62,000

This model of Garia’s expensive golf cart has one significant advantage over its less expensive predecessors–it’s street legal. Equipped with seatbelts, side mirrors, hydraulic brakes and a 4 hp electric motor capable of speeds up to 25 mph, this luxury golf cart has all the safety features necessary to allow it to be classified as a roadworthy low-speed vehicle. Like the Soleil de Minuit, above, the LSV may also be equipped with such amenities as hand-stitched seats, digital instrumentation layout, a stereo and a dashboard refrigerator. If you order directly from Garia, you can even customize the Garia LSV with your choice of over 100 different body, roof and dashboard colors, three different colors of upholstery and 10″ or 12″ wheels.

World’s Most Expensive Porsches

2011-08-08T11:47:00.002-07:00

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World’s Most Expensive Porsches

According to New York’s Luxury Institute, who surveyed 500 households with incomes over $200,000 in 2006, Porsche is the most prestigious brand of automobiles. While some may argue in favor of Bugatti or Rolls-Royce, that is still high praise indeed.

Porsche Carrera GT

The most expensive new Porsche currently avaialable is the Porsche Carrera GT at $440,000. With a top speed of 205+ mph and the capability to accelerate from 0 to 60 in 3.9 seconds, it’s certainly fast enough to justify its price.

Porsche 918 Spyder

Their new concept car, the Porsche 918 Spyder, will be the German company’s next most expensive production car. The 918 Spyder is a two-seater convertible with a 500 hp V8 engine. It has a top speed of 199 mph and can accelerates from 0 to 60 in under 3.2 seconds. Its electric drive-systems allow it to run 15 miles on electric power and it consumes fuel at a rate of 78 miles per gallon.

This fantastic new Porsche is likely to have an MSRP around $650,000.

If you’re looking for the most expensive Porsche in history, however, look no further than this Porsche 917, chassis no. 031/026.

This Porsche, originally a 1970 Gulf-JWA Le Mans 917K Coupe numbered 026, made history when it was driven by David Hobbs and Mike Hailwood in the 1970 Le Mans. In the middle of a downpour in the 50th lap, Hailwood cruised past the pit stop where rain tires were readied and crashed into a parked car. What was left of the vehicle was repaired with the 031 chassis, but swapped numbering with the original 026 chassis to avoid complications.

The original 026 chassis, now numbered 031, was repaired and re-issued as a 1972-73 Porsche 917 Interserie Spyder. It was driven by Ernst Kraus in the 1972 European InterSerie Championship and by Jurgen Barth in the 1973 series.

This storied Porsche is equipped with a 5.4 liter, flat-12 cylinder, 630 horsepower engine and weighs approximately 1,600 lbs. It was sold at an August 2010 Bonhams & Butterfields auction at Quail Lodge in Monterey, where it achieved a staggering $3.9 million price.

Most Expensive Bicycle

2011-08-08T11:47:00.001-07:00

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Most Expensive Bicycle

Of the four most expensive bikes in the world, three were created in honor of Lance Armstrong, whose victory over cancer is as legendary as his ongoing career. The Lance Armstrong Foundation, founded in 1997 after Armstrong was diagnosed with the disease, raises funds and awareness to support cancer research and help cancer sufferers.

7-Diamond – $75,000

This expensive bike was sold to an anonymous buyer at the Lance Armstrong Foundation Gala in 2005. Studded with seven 1-carat Gemesis man-made diamonds and 300 white diamonds, the gold-plated bike commemorated Armstrong’s victory over seven Tour de France events. The expensive bike was a joint effort between Trek Bikes, Nike, jeweler Alan Friedman and artist Lenny Futura.

Aurumania’s Gold Bike Crystal edition – $114,000

Aurumania’s Gold Bike Crystal edition is almost entirely plated with 24 karat gold—even the spokes. The seat is a Brooks saddle made of the finest leather, while the handlebars have grips made with hand-sewn, chocolate brown leather. Even the numbered badge is made of leather. Of course, the bike isn’t called “Crystal edition” for nothing. It’s decorated with over 600 Swarovski crystals—including the Aurmania name written in Braille along the crossbar. Only ten of these spectacular bicycles were produced.

Trek Yoshitomo Nara Speed Concept – $200,000

Yoshitomo Nara created this work of art, a Trek Speed Concept bike embellished with his signature angry, childlike figures and his own take on the Livestrong logo, as a custom time trial bike to commemorate Armstrong’s renewed cycling career in 2009. The bike was displayed at the Stages event organized by The Lance Armstrong Foundation and Nike to raise cancer awareness. It was sold at the Bikes of Stages auction at Sotheby’s, which raised $1,125,000 for The Lance Armstrong Foundation.

Trek “Butterfly” Madone – $500,000

Like the Speed Concept above, this Trek Madone was decorated in honor of Armstrong’s return to cycling. When Damien Hirst got his hands on the bike, he coated it with hundreds of wings taken from butterflies. While PETA were predictably angry at Hirst’s chosen medium, the “Butterfly” Madone became the most expensive bicycle in the world at the Bikes of Stages auction.

World’s Most Expensive Model Car

2011-08-08T11:47:00.000-07:00

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World’s Most Expensive Model Car

To a collector of model cars, a model of the Bugatti Veyron might be the centerpiece of their collection. It is, after all, the world’s most expensive car. Of course, for the truly dedicated—and well off—collector, the only option is the world’s most expensive model car.

The Bugatti Veyron Diamond Limited Edition, a collaboration between luxury designer Stuart Hughes and Swiss model car engineer Robert Gülpen, is a 1:18 scale replica of the ultimate luxury car, rendered in 24k gold, platinum and 7.2 carats of single cut flawless diamonds. The hoods and steering are functional and the engine is highly detailed. This fantastic model car weighs in at 15 pounds and took two months to produce.

Only three of the most expensive model car in the world have been created, each accompanied by a certificate of authenticity, glass house, aluminum case and photographic documentation of its manufacture. Even more phenomenal, the Bugatti Veyron Diamond Limited Edition costs twice as much as the car on which it is based—US $3 million.

World’s Most Expensive ATV

2011-08-08T11:35:00.005-07:00

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World’s Most Expensive ATV

by JEREMY on MAY 26, 2010 · COMMENTS (0)

All-terrain vehicles, also known as three- or four-wheelers and quad bikes, may not be entirely street legal in most states but they still find use in agriculture, competitions and off-road excursions.

The original ATV was a six-wheeled, amphibious vehicle called the Jiger, produced in 1961. It wasn’t until 1970 that the first three-wheeler was made by Honda. The vehicle gained popularity when it was featured in the James Bond Film, Diamonds Are Forever, and a number of television shows. In 1982, the four-wheeler was introduced by Suzuki in the form of their QuadRunner recreational vehicle.

The most expensive ATV in the world is the GG Quadster customizable four-wheeler. The 167 horsepower vehicle is powered by a 1,157 cc BMW engine and is capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in only 3.5 seconds. The ATV’s chassis is constructed from billet aluminum, bringing its weight to a total of 825 lbs.

The most expensive ATV can be purchased for around $65,500, but options like additional storage, heated grips or a unique paint job will, of course, increase that price.

World’s Most Expensive Car Key

2011-08-08T11:35:00.004-07:00

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World’s Most Expensive Car Key

Bugatti may have one over on Aston Martin as the Bugatti Veyron is the world’s most expensive car, but owners of the Aston Martin DBS and the Aston Martin Rapide will have the option to buy another top-priced item—the most expensive car key in the world.

Jaeger-LeCoultre’s AMVOX2 DBS and Rapide Transponders marry the cutting edge technology of the AMVOX2 Chronograph with the extravagance of Aston Martin automobiles. Already a collaboration between the two, the origin AMVOX2 Chronograph featured a groundbreaking vertical-trigger chronograph. The stopwatch function of the watch could be stopped, started and reset by pressing the watch’s crystal sapphire surface. In the AMVOX2 Transponders, however, that same surface controls the transponder that locks and unlocks an Aston Martin luxury car. Pressing both the open and close areas of the surface at the same time will even cause the headlamps to light up briefly, allowing the owner to find their car with ease.

This optional feature can be had for just over $34,000. Compared to the prices of the Rapide and DBS—$199,950 and $269,000, respectively—that doesn’t seem like so much.

Aston Martin Rapide

Most Expensive Train Ride

2011-08-08T11:35:00.003-07:00

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Most Expensive Train Ride

The Trans-Siberian Railway, stretching across Russia from Moscow to Vladivostok, was originally approved by Czar Alexander II in the late 19th Century. Nowadays, it’s used for 30% of all Russian exports and a trip across the country can be made in as little as seven days. It’s also the route for the most expensive train ride in the world.

The Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express was unveiled by Britain’s Prince Michael of Kent in April 2007. The train’s Gold Class cabins are equipped with LCD screens, power showers, underfloor heating and individual air conditioning while chefs in the restaurant cars prepare the finest local cuisine. The Golden Eagle takes wealthy tourists and other travelers almost 6,000 miles in 15 days, with frequent stops for day trips.

The world’s most expensive train ride costs $22,195 for a single room or $15,795 per person for a twin cabin.

Most Expensive Corvette

2011-08-08T11:35:00.002-07:00

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Most Expensive Corvette

The long anticipated Corvette ZR1 may finally see the light of day in 2009. First unveiled at the 12 Hours of Sebring race in 2005, the car was supposedly the result of GM CEO Rick Wagoner wondering what his Chevrolet designers could do for $100,000. The answer, of course, is the most powerful and most expensive Corvette in the world.

Equipped with a new LS9 engine,a supercharged 6.2 liter V8 that produces 620 horsepower (100 hp per liter) and 6500 RPMs, this costly Corvette is reportedly capable of top speeds over 200 mph and experts guess it will be able to do 0-60 in around 3.0 seconds. That’s .6 seconds faster than the Z06. It also features a number of carbon-fiber body parts and adjustable suspension.

The Chevrolet Corvette C6 Z1 was formally announced in December 2007. The world’s most expensive Corvette still has a sticker price of $100,000 and, for anyone who wants to pimp out this luxury sports car, chrome wheels and premium interior options are available.

Most Expensive Go-Kart

2011-08-08T11:35:00.001-07:00

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Most Expensive Go-Kart

Are you a Ferrari enthusiast? Do you think your kid should get an early start on his or her own addiction to luxury sports cars? Well, you’re in luck. FAO Schwarz and Neiman Marcus had someone just like you in mind when they sold the most expensive go-kart in the world.

This stunningly accurate replica of the Ferrari Testarossa is nine feet long and hand-built. It features a 5hp Briggs & Stratton engine, an automatic transmission with two speeds and reverse and an electronic ignition. The kart weighs 615 lb and is capable of speeds up to 30 miles per hour.

The luxury go-kart also includes a functional CD player, retractable headlights and all the other lights and signals of a real Testarossa. It’s pimped out with adjustable seats and leather upholstery. The steering wheel even features a working horn because, hey, every parent loves toys that make noise.

At $50,000, the world’s most expensive go-kart is priced perfectly for the financially savvy child, whether they want to drive it alone or get together with some friends and practice for a future career as Nick Hogan’s cellmate.

Most Expensive Car Insurance

2011-08-08T11:35:00.000-07:00

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Most Expensive Car Insurance

Car insurance can be an expensive prospect for automobile owners. If you think you’re paying too much, though, maybe you should compare your insurance rates to those of the most expensive car insurance in the world.

In 2005, New Jersey had the most expensive auto insurance in the nation. The average insurance expenditure, at the time, was $1,184. Considering that this was actually 3.1% less than the average expenditure in 2004, New Jersey residents may have been happy to pay the country’s most expensive premiums.

In second place, DC was only $2 behind New Jersey at $1,182. New York took third place with a $1,122 average.

Dodge Ram

Of course, the amount you pay for insurance depends substantially on the vehicle you’re insuring. If you plan to own a Dodge Ram pickup truck, for instance, you can expect a hole in your wallet just as big as your vehicle. Owners pay an average premium of $1,336 for insurance. The high insurance payments on these trucks are due to the fact that they are, apparently, prone to both property damage and bodily injury.

The most expensive auto insurance in the world, though, comes from former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair’s old neighborhood. Islington, a north London neighborhood, may have a few wealthy areas but it also has a car theft rate two and a half times England’s national average. This accounts for a phenomenal average premium of £745/month. In the US, that would be nearly $1,500!

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World’s Most Expensive Motorcycles

2011-08-08T11:23:00.006-07:00

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World’s Most Expensive Motorcycles

Motorcycles have had mass appeal to the general public for roughly a century and a half. An American named Sylvester Howard Roper designed one of the first motorcycles in the 1860s. The motorcycle was displayed at fairs and circuses around the eastern U.S.. Europeans also had their hand in popularizing motorcycles and, during the World Wars, motorcycles functioned as a quick means of transportation.

As the motorcycle progressed, the engines and frames became bigger, sleeker, faster and more powerful, resulting in the high-tech and expensive motorcycles of today. If you can afford one, a custom motorcycle built to your exact specifications is within reach.

MV-Augusta F4CC – $120,000

This expensive motorcycle was created by Claudio Castiglioni, MV’s director. He wanted to create a spectacular motorcycle that met strategic marketing needs while also being something truly special and unique. The expensive motorcycle bearing his very own initials “CC” has a top speed of 315 kph (195 mph), 1078 cc’s and a 198 hp engine. Each bike boasts a platinum plate located near the top of the steering column showing the model number from 1 to 100, making this motorcycle all the more special to its owners.

MTT Turbine SuperBike – $150,000

Not only is this motorcycle expensive, it’s also extremely fast. This bike, also known as the Y2K Turbine Superbike, is the Guinness World Record holder for the “Most Powerful Motorcycle Ever to Enter Series Production”. The turbine engine in this one is made by Rolls Royce and is capable of over 300hp. The motorcycle also boasts carbon fiber fairings, a rear mounted camera with LCD color display, forward-and rear-looking radar detector with laser scrambler, one touch “Smart Start” ignition, and many other cool gadgets. This bike seams to be pretty popular in Hollywood. It starred in the movie “Torque” and even Jay Leno owns one!

Icon Sheene – $160,000

This bike was created by Andrew Morris in honor of legendary British Grand Prix motorcycle champion Barry Sheene, who died in 2003 at the age of 52. As such, only 52 of these 250 hp, turbocharged 1400cc motorcycles will be created, each emblazoned with a playing card hand-painted by the same artist who painted Sheene’s helmets, Mike Fairholme. Each of these bikes will be bespoke, tailored to fit the purchaser’s unique requirements.

Macchia Nera concept bike – $201,000

Built around a Ducati 998RS engine, this motorcycle’s Italian designers and engineers set out to create an extremely high tech and expensive motorcycle that would be thought of as “the ultimate track bike” that is “simply beautiful and beautifully simple”. The Testastretta engine is fitted with lightweight metals and alloys, like titanium and aluminum, making it very lightweight. The view from the side of the Macchia Nera shows exposed belts and engine components, giving its design a minimalist feel while still being aesthetically pleasing. We should add that this bike is a one of a kind and not in produced for retail at this point, but if you have an extra 150,000 Euros (US $201,000) laying around for an expensive toy, your dream might come true.

Ecosse Titanium Series RR Limited Edition – $275,000

This luxury motorbike features a titanium chassis with clear coated carbon fiber bodywork and wheels. It features a fuel injected, intercooled, supercharged 2,150cc billet motor and is capable of over 200 hp. Its saddle is ergonomic and adjustable. The bike also comes with a timepiece, designed by French watchmakers BRM, which is made to match the bike and is engraved with the same serial number as the handlebar clamp and VIN plate. This bike is limited to only 10 units.

Dodge Tomahawk V10 Superbike – $555,000

This reproduction of Dodge’s concept bike is considered an “automotive sculpture,” as it is not street legal in the US. Ten of these bikes were offered by Neiman Marcus in their 2003 Christmas Book. The Dodge Tomahawk V10 superbike boasts an 8.3 liter engine (505 cubic inch), and the 10 cylinders can bring the bike to a maximum speed of almost 400 mph. The 1500lb bike has an independent 4-wheel suspension and can reach 60 mph in around 2.5 seconds.

World’s Most Expensive Classic Cars

2011-08-08T11:23:00.005-07:00

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World’s Most Expensive Classic Cars

Every once in awhile, a car enters the spotlight and becomes an instant classic. Years down the road, these cars demand hefty prices when sold at auction. These are the most expensive classic cars in the world.

1937 Bugatti Type 57S – $4.4 million

When relatives of the recently deceased and “eccentric” Dr. Harold Carr opened the garage he’d left to them in his will, they had no idea what to expect. Sure they’d heard that there might be a Bugatti in there, but that was just a bit of local legend. As it happened, there really was a Bugatti in there—and, when it went to auction at Bonham’s Retromobile car show in February of 2009, it sold for €3,417,500—around $4.4 million at the time.

This 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Atalante was originally purchased by Earl Howe a month after it left the Bugatti works. Over the 8 years that he owned the car, Howe added new bumpers, a luggage rack and rearview mirrors. It was later brought up to SC specification with the addition of a Marshall K200 supercharger by its next owner, J P Tingay. Eventually, the car found its way into the hands of Lord Ridley, who held it for a year before selling it to Dr. Carr. Combine this pedigree with the fact that only seventeen Type 57S’s—a version of the Type 57 modified specifically for competitions—were produced and you have quite an expensive car.

007 Aston Martin DB5 – $5-$10 million

An unusual addition to our list of the world’s most expensive classic cars, this 1964 Aston Martin DB5 has a few unique features and a unique pedigree—it’s one of two DB5s driven by legendary 007 actor Sean Connery in “Goldfinger,” complete with twin machineguns mounted behind its front turn signals.

Radio broadcaster Jerry Lee originally purchased the car from Aston Martin in 1969 for $12,000, after the car had appeared in both “Goldfinger” and “Thunderball” and had toured in a 007 promotional campaign. He has entered the car in “Automobiles of London,” where it will be auctioned on October 27th, 2010.

The other DB5 is believed to have been destroyed after its reported theft in 1997.
Aside from the (non-functional) machineguns, the car also features an ejector seat (also non-functional) and revolving number plates. These and other factory-installed gadgets are all in working order after a recomissioning program by RM Auto Restoration.

This spectacular piece of film and automotive history is expected to fetch between $5 and $10 million.

1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder – $10.8 million

Sold in May 2008 at the RM Auctions/Sotheby’s Ferrari Legend and Passion auction, this Ferrari 250 GT was owned by former Magnificent Seven star James Coburn for twenty-five years. During that time, Coburn would test his skills against fellow enthusiasts Steve McQueen and James Garner. In fact, one of the latest lines of Ferraris, also designed by Pininfarina, has been named “California” in honor of Coburn’s car.

1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa – $12.4 million

One of only twenty-two of its kind, chassis no. 0714TR features a distinctive pontoon-like design by Carrozzeria Scaglietti. The Ferrari 250 TR is famous for having won ten of the nineteen races in which they were driven between 1958 and 1961.

This particular TR won 4th place when driven by Piero Drogo in the 1000 km Buenos Aires in January of 1958. Drogo drove it one more time, in the Grand Prix of Cuba, before he sold it to American Alan Connell who drove it in nine races and spent most of that time in 1st or 2nd place in class. It featured in twelve more races between 1960 and 1963, making it one of the most raced Ferraris of all time.

It was sold at auction in Maranello, home of Carrozzeria Scaglietti and birthplace of the TR, for an impressive sum of €9,020,000.

1934 “Star of India” Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental – $13 million

Hans-Gunther Zach, owner of the Rolls-Royce museum in Germany, is selling off his entire collection–including the museum’s premiere acquisition, the Star of India.

This bespoke Rolls was one of 281 Continental Phantom II’s ever produced. Built for the Maharajah of Rajkot, one of its custom features is, among its 14 headlights, a pair that turns with the steering wheel. Also particular to the Star of India is its unique orange-over-aluminum color combination.

The Star of India was auctioned alongside twenty-four other rare Rolls-Royces and another three Bentleys. After the auction, it appeared for sale at $13 million, but the listing was later removed.

Peter D. Williamson Bugatti Type 57S Atlantic – $30-$40 million

If you thought the Bugatti Type 57S above was expensive, then check out this piece of phenomenal piece of Bugatti history. The Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic was based on the “Aérolithe” concept car. The Aérolithe’s Electron and Duralumin construction required external riveting, resulting in a distinctive seam not unlike a dorsal fin. Despite the Atlantic’s aluminum construction, which required no such riveting, the seam was retained.

Only four Type 57SC Atlantics were produced and only two have survived to this day. Fashion guru Ralph Lauren owns one while the other was owned by late Bugatti collector Dr. Peter Williamson. The Williamson Bugatti, chassis #57374, was the first Atlantic off the production line and was originally owned by Lord Victor Rothschild. While it was drastically modified by its second owner, Dr. Williamson restored it to its original specifications after acquiring it for $59,000 in 1971. After Williamson’s passing, it was sold to an undisclosed buyer, reportedly for a sum between $30 and $40 million.

America’s Most Expensive 2010 Cars to Insure

2011-08-08T11:23:00.004-07:00

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America’s Most Expensive 2010 Cars to Insure

The sticker price only tells half the story when it comes to purchasing a new auto. Beyond that price tag, there’s maintenance and, of course, auto insurance. Luckily, Insure.com has made a list of America’s most expensive 2010 cars to insure.

The list includes only 2010 models and is based on the average insurance for a 40-year-old male with a good driving record and a 12-mile commute. The policies surveyed include liability protection and uninsured motorist coverage. The prices set by the insurers are based not just on the cars themselves, but also on the driving habits of those most likely to own such a car.

They found that the least expensive 2010 car to insure is the Mazda Tribue i at $1,070.25 annually.

The most expensive 2010 car to insure is the 6-cylinder Porsche 911 Carrera GT2 2-door coupe. That’s no surprise, as this sort of luxury vehicle appeals to those who’d like to test the car’s top speed of over 200 mph. The price to insure this 500+ hp monster of a sports car averages at $2,943.78 annually.

America’s most expensive 2010 vehicles to insure
Porsche 911 Carrera GT2 – $2,943.78
Mercedes S65 AMG – $2,863.03
Dodge Viper SRT-10 Coupe – $2,851.89
Porsche Panamera Turbo AWD – $2,837.39
Dodge Viper SRT-10 Convertible – $2,815.90

Most Expensive Car in the World

2011-08-08T11:23:00.003-07:00

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Most Expensive Car in the World

If your passion for performance and luxury autos cannot be stopped, and your McLaren F1 is becoming a bore along with the rest of your exotic cars, it might be time to check out Top Gear’s “Car of the Decade,” the Bugatti Veyron. The most recent model, the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport, has an estimated price tag of $2.3 million and, if that figure is even close to the ultimate price, will be the most expensive car in the world.

The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport “World Record Edition”

The Super Sport, unveiled at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in August 2010, is not your typical luxury car. Its W16 engine—essentially two narrow-angle V8s sharing a crankshaft—with four turbochargers generates 1,200 hp and, along with improved aerodynamics over the original Veyron, allows it to reach a top speed of 268 miles per hour. That makes the Super Sport the fastest production car in the world.

The original Bugatti Veyron 16.4, which entered production in 2005, hits 60 mph in 2.5 seconds, does the quarter-mile in 10.5 seconds and reaches its top speed of 252 mph in just 55 secs. It came after a long absence from the market for Bugatti and helped the brand reclaim its title as the ultimate performance car and reign supreme as the world’s most expensive production car.

The Bugatti Veyron 16.4

The Veyron is named after Pierre Veyron, who won the 1939 24 Hours of Le Mans while driving a Bugatti Type 57 with Jean-Pierre Wimille.

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