There’s a guy that lives down the road from me with a strange car. It’s a gold mid-’70s Pinto with wood paneling. It also has a surfboard bolted to the roof. That’s right, bolted. Not strapped or tied down, but bolted. It’s a permanent fixture, like the bumper–except while bumpers have at least some practical use, the surfboard on the roof is there strictly for aesthetics. The surfboard is spray painted gold to match the car. It’s for sale, if anyone’s interested in a gold Pinto with a gold surfboard. If you’re just interested in the gold surfboard, LUX has what you’re looking for… only this one isn’t spray paint. It’s 24-karat.
Called the Aureus after ancient Rome’s golden coin, the surfboard looks like it’s some kind of ’70s shape–although from the video, which features only hyperopia-inducing closeups, it’s hard to tell. It’s hand-gilded in 24 karat gold leaf, has a 24 karat gold leaf pinline design, and of course, a 24 karat gold gilded fin. Shaped by Ellie Miller and gilded by Danni Bradford, the Aureus is probably not a surfboard you’d ever actually surf, unless you’re Kanye West or just stupid with money. It is, though, “fully functional”, meaning that yes, it could be used as a surfboard. But so could a piece of plywood, if one were so inclined. But that wouldn’t be nearly as flashy as surfing a golden surfboard.
