News of any downturn in the car trade has obviously not reached Alchemist, a London based car extras company with a difference, run by Jacques Blanc who bills himself as a modern day ‘Goldfinger’. The main focus of the company is to decorate cars with pure 24-carat gold leaf specialising mainly in roof tops. Jacques Blanc says he is continuing an ancient and opulent tradition first mastered by the Egyptians 3,000 years ago.

The latest creation of Alchemist is an Aston Martin DB7, customised with gold and platinum-leaf and with seven diamonds embedded in the bodywork. The golden Aston is a one off and has been used to promote the MPH Prestige and Performance Motor Show at Earls Court. However, it seems that there is a demand for the goldleaf roofing service from motorist looking to stand out in the crowd.