| In the vehicle-adornment industry, modesty is not a | | | | create his diamond studded masterpiece, Mr. Lee |
| common word. Let’s face it - no one buys a 24 | | | | removed the center strip and created a mold out of its |
| carat gold suspension springs or a bejeweled wheel | | | | indistinctly curvy shape. He used the mold to create an |
| rims or a platinum steering wheel to keep a low profile. | | | | identically sized and contoured band in 10 ounces of |
| That is simply preposterous! | | | | gold. |
| Creating auto parts that are glitzier than the last | | | | Mr. Lee has hired a professional jeweler to affix the |
| revealed has always been the challenge for | | | | 30 carats of diamonds into the golden strip employing |
| companies like the H&R Gold and LP Wheel Group | | | | a technique that is similar to the one used for wedding |
| which is known for producing remarkable car parts | | | | rings. Each of the diamond used is 2.5 millimeters in |
| and accessories that only the privilege few can afford | | | | diameter, the size which according to Mr. Lee would |
| while the rest of us are left admiring and gawking. | | | | create the maximum effect aside from that much |
| Tony Lee, proud owner of LP Wheel is popular among | | | | larger stones would have created ugly gaps around |
| car enthusiasts for his line of Chevrolet and Ford | | | | the knob’s edges on the other hand smaller stones |
| emblems that are studded with multicolored Swarovski | | | | wouldn’t appear stunning enough to the eye. |
| crystals which are sold under the IcedOutEmz brand. | | | | The diamond studded shift knob took 100 hours of |
| In preparation for the annual Specialty Equipment | | | | labor to complete and was finished just in time for the |
| Market Association trade show held last November in | | | | trade show where it was placed in a glass museum |
| Las Vegas, Mr. Lee decided to create something more | | | | case, guarded by a similarly stunning model clad in a |
| elaborate and more expensive than what he usually | | | | skimpy dress. Mr. Lee cheerfully said, |
| does—a diamond-festooned, 18 karat white gold shift | | | | “Everybody’s jaw was dropping at how |
| knob priced at $150,000. According to Mr. Lee, “I | | | | expensive it was.” |
| wanted people to feel luxury in the palm of their hand. | | | | The knob was so expensive that no takers as of this |
| People wear jewelry in their car, so I came up with the | | | | time were reported but Mr. Lee has decided to put it |
| idea that the car should wear jewelry, too.” | | | | on display at the company’s headquarters in Las |
| And since he knows that only few can afford such | | | | Vegas. Mr. Lee has also added that the publicity |
| luxurious auto parts he has chosen to design the knob | | | | generated by the product’s mere existence has |
| for pricey vehicles like the Bentley Continental GT | | | | been worth the effort and investment. As a matter of |
| which according to him, “For the past couple of | | | | fact, a lot of publicists have been calling Mr. Lee about |
| years, the most popular car for the big dogs has been | | | | making custom knobs. “We could easily do a |
| the Bentley Continental GT,” with a retail price of | | | | custom for $5,000 depending on the size and clarity of |
| about $165,000. | | | | the stones and the size of the knob,” Mr. Lee |
| Mr. Lee ordered a spare knob from Bentley | | | | added. But in case someone would want the original, |
| Motors—a subsidiary of Volkswagen Group and | | | | Mr. Lee explained that he has become reluctant to |
| recipient of quality Volkswagen parts like Volkswagen | | | | part with it, “I would rather just make another piece |
| timing chain. The knob featured a sandwich-like design | | | | with the same amount of carats. But if the price is |
| with a metal alloy strip bordered by leather grips. To | | | | right, well, everything is negotiable. |