One of the most iconic custom cars of the 1950s, equipped with the famous glowing Goodyear tires, is currently being offered for sale by Mecum Auctions. This automotive gem, known as the Golden Sahara II, embodies the boldness and innovation of a bygone era.
A History Born from an Accident
The adventure begins with a 1953 Lincoln Capri owned by legendary customizer George Barris. After a collision with a hay truck, the car, rather than being sent to the scrapyard, became Barris’s most ambitious project. Jim Street agreed to fund its transformation, giving birth to the first Golden Sahara.
The Genesis of an Icon
The first version stood out with its wraparound windshield, a unique half-bubble top, and paint embedded with 24-carat gold flakes and fish scales for a sparkling effect. The interior, ultra-luxurious for 1954, included white mink carpeting, a television, a telephone, and a cocktail refrigerator.
The Advent of the Golden Sahara II
Jim Street invested an additional $75,000 to create version II. Beyond aesthetic enhancements (quadruple headlights, new bumpers), the car incorporated a groundbreaking innovation: a remote-control driving system. In 1956, it could be driven from outside via antennas receiving “start,” “stop,” “accelerate,” and “brake” commands.
The Star: The Glowing Goodyear Tires
Neothane Technology
The most striking feature of the Golden Sahara II remains its glowing Goodyear Neothane tires. Made from a translucent polyurethane compound, these tubeless and cordless tires could be dyed in a multitude of colors.
A Revolutionary Glow
The major innovation lay in their ability to let light pass through. Eighteen bulbs, installed in the center of each rim, produced an electroluminescent glow on the ground and in the wheel wells, creating a hypnotic spectacle.
A Star’s Life and a Meticulous Restoration
After a Hollywood career in the 1960s, the car suddenly disappeared before being repurchased by Larry Klairmont. A complete restoration was entrusted to Speakeasy Customs, which collaborated with Goodyear to faithfully recreate the legendary glowing tires, now equipped with programmable LEDs.
An Unreserved Auction
Despite an accident during its transport to the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, the Golden Sahara II has been perfectly restored. It will be sold with no reserve price on Saturday, September 20, thus concluding 72 years of an exceptional automotive history.