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7 Minutes
Introduction
The Golden Sahara II — George Barris’ legendary 1950s show car reborn — is back in the spotlight. Once a battered relic that sold at auction in March 2018 for $385,000, this heavily customized 1953 Lincoln Capri has been meticulously restored and upgraded for modern show-field theatrics, including programmable LED-lit urethane tires. Now showcased at major automotive museums and motor shows, the Golden Sahara II will return to the market at a Mecum auction on September 20 at the Klairmont Kollections in Chicago.
History and Heritage
Origins: From 1953 Lincoln Capri to Barris Masterpiece
Originally a 1953 Lincoln Capri hardtop, the project that became Golden Sahara was commissioned and financed by Jim Street and radically reimagined by custom car icon George Barris. Unveiled at the Petersen Motorama in 1954 as Barris’ most extravagant build, the car departed from typical custom car treatments: instead of chrome trim the Golden Sahara featured 24‑karat gold accents, a two‑tone pearlescent finish, and a futuristic half‑bubble roof. Mechanical innovations included early automatic-braking cues and remote acceleration concepts that read like midcentury automotive science fiction.
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Touring Years and Pop Culture
After its Motorama debut, the Sahara toured the United States for two years as a traveling show car, attracting crowds and media attention. Costing an estimated $75,000 to build in the 1950s (roughly equivalent to nearly $900,000 today), it appeared in advertising, on magazine covers, and even briefly in the 1960 film Cinderfella and on TV programs like I’ve Got a Secret. After decades of exposure and use, the car eventually faded from public view and was kept in storage in Jim Street’s garage until it resurfaced at auction in 2018.
Restoration and Modern Upgrades
Restoration Team and Partners
Purchaser Larry Klairmont entrusted Chicago’s Speakeasy Customs and Classics to complete a faithful, show-quality restoration. The project drew support from industry partners including Goodyear and Kelsey Tire to recreate and modernize some of the Sahara’s most iconic elements while preserving Barris’ original vision. The restoration returned the car to museum-grade condition and prepared it for international display, including an appearance at the 2019 Geneva International Motor Show and subsequent exhibits at the Martin Auto Museum and Petersen Automotive Museum.
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LED Tires and Materials
One of the most talked-about updates is the car’s glowing tires. The original Sahara used illuminated Kelsey Neothane tires — an experimental look at the time. For the restoration, Goodyear and Kelsey collaborated to produce solid urethane tires that pay homage to the originals while adding modern reliability. These tires incorporate programmable LED lighting to recreate the neon spectacle of the 1950s design with contemporary electronics and durability, making the Golden Sahara II a show-car spectacle on the move.
Design and Interior
Exterior Styling
The Golden Sahara II retains its signature half‑bubble top and two‑tone pearlescent white finish, lavishly trimmed with 24‑karat gold accents concentrated on the rear fenders and trim. The re-finished bodywork emphasizes the custom coachbuilt proportions and dramatic midcentury lines that made Barris’ builds iconic. Attention to detail in paint, plating, and panel fitment elevates the car to concours display standard.
Cabin Features and Comfort
Inside, the cabin is trimmed in gold and white with fabric seats, padded dash and door panels, and plush carpeting — faithful to the original theatrical concept. The dash still houses novelty features from the 1950s: an in‑dash television, an aircraft‑inspired steering yoke and its accompanying control lever, and a reel‑to‑reel tape recorder alongside the radio. Practical modernization was subtle; the restoration prioritized authenticity and display appeal while ensuring reliability for shows and transport.
Vehicle Specifications and Performance
As a custom show car rather than a performance GT, specifications emphasize presentation and drivability:
- Base vehicle: 1953 Lincoln Capri hardtop (customized body and half‑bubble roof)
- Engine: 317 cubic inch (317ci) V8, finished in gold for visual continuity
- Transmission: Automatic transmission (period‑appropriate) providing smooth, show‑car operation
- Tires: Solid urethane tires with programmable LED illumination, inspired by original Neothane Kelsey illuminated tires
- Interior: Gold-and-white trim, fabric seats, padded dash and panels, in‑dash television and vintage audio equipment
Performance-wise, the Golden Sahara II is meant for parades, concours, museum display, and show appearances, not for high-speed driving. The emphasis is on visual theater, historical provenance, and mechanical reliability for roadshow transport.
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Market Positioning and Auction Details
The Golden Sahara II occupies a rare niche at the intersection of automotive art, Hollywood-era custom culture, and museum-grade restoration. Provenance — George Barris’ workshop, original backer Jim Street, and later stewardship by Larry Klairmont — adds collectible value. After its rough condition sale in 2018, the restored car has only increased its visibility, having been exhibited at Geneva and in major automotive museums.
The car will be auctioned by Mecum on September 20 at the Klairmont Kollections Museum in Chicago. Notably, the listing is no-reserve, meaning the highest bidder will take ownership regardless of final price. Neither Mecum nor the consignor has provided an official estimate, though expectations among collectors are that the restoration and provenance should attract high bids above the 2018 hammer price — while the no-reserve format introduces risk and unpredictability for the seller.
Comparisons and Collector Appeal
Compared to other midcentury show cars and Barris customs, the Golden Sahara II stands out for its combination of extravagant materials (24‑karat gold trim), one-off mechanical concepts, and cultural appearances. Where many restored classics aim for period-correct road usability, the Sahara’s restoration emphasizes presentation and theatricality, aligning it more closely with concept cars and coachbuilt showpieces than everyday classics like a stock Lincoln Capri or period Thunderbird.
Collectors who value automotive history, pop-culture provenance, and standout custom craftsmanship will find the Sahara especially compelling. Buyers looking for investment upside must weigh the car’s unique attraction against the unpredictability of no‑reserve auction dynamics.
Closing Thoughts
The Golden Sahara II is more than a restored classic; it’s a working exhibit of American custom-car imagination. With its glittering gold trim, half‑bubble roof, and modern LED-lit urethane tires, it bridges 1950s futurism and 21st‑century restoration technology. Whether as a museum centerpiece, a show-car flagship, or a headline-grabbing collectible, the Sahara’s return to auction promises to be one of the season’s most talked-about automotive events.
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