HIGHLIGHTS

• Jim Street's legendary custom show car
• Built by Delphos Machine and Tool shop out of Dayton, Ohio at an estimated cost of $75,000, a large sum for the 1950s
• Derived from a 1953 Lincoln Capri Hardtop owned by George Barris
• Barris originally customized the car into the first iteration of The Golden Sahara
• The Golden Sahara II originally featured futuristic concept technologies, such as an automatic braking unit with antennas as sensors in the front bumperettes and autonomous remote-controlled acceleration
• Starring role in the 1960 fantasy-romance film “Cinderfella” starring Jerry Lewis, Ed Wynn and Judith Anderson
• Featured in 1962 on the game show “I've Got a Secret” starring Gary Moore
• The car remained in Jim Street's care until 2018, when it was acquired by Larry Klairmont
• Klairmont commissioned Chicago-based Speakeasy Customs and Classics to restore the car to its previous show car aesthetic
• Goodyear contributed to the restoration by re-creating a set of solid urethane tires equipped with programmable LEDs to replicate the appearance and function of the original illuminated Neothane show tires
• The tires were constructed using a mold in the correct size and pattern provided by vintage tire specialists, Kelsey Tire
• Following the restoration, the car was displayed at the 2019 Geneva International Motor Show, as well as at the Martin Auto Museum and at the Petersen Automotive Museum
• All vehicles being offered from the Larry Klairmont Museum Collection, Larry’s Legacy auction, have been set up for long-term museum display. Any vehicle purchased from this collection will likely require essential basic service prior to driving on the road including, but not limited to, fuel system and carburetors, batteries, brakes, etc. Please note that neither the seller nor Mecum Auctions warrants any claims to authenticity for any vehicles within the collection and it is the buyer’s responsibility to make his/her determination based on their own personal inspection. All vehicles are being sold as is/where is.

PHOTOS

EXTERIOR

INTERIOR

TRANSMISSION

DOCUMENTATION

HISTORIC

THE STORY

A truly iconic custom, The Golden Sahara II carries with it a wild and winding story, dating back to its origins under legendary customizer George Barris and backer Jim Street, its years in the spotlight, its sudden disappearance and years hidden from the public view, and its reemergence and return to glory under the care of the late Larry Klairmont. It's a story that doesn’t need to rely on fables or folklore, as in this case, The Golden Sahara II’s tale is one where the truth is truly stranger than fiction.

As the story goes, George Barris was inspired to construct his most customized creation to date from the remains of his personal 1953 Lincoln Capri following a crash with a hay truck on a foggy drive home from a Sacramento car show. With the backing of Ohio customer James Skonzakes, better known as Jim Street, who agreed to fund the ambitious project, Barris and his team completely overhauled the wrecked car into a spectacular custom.

EQUIPMENT

• Wraparound windshield
• Custom half-bubble top
• 24-karat Gold and Pearlescent White two-tone finish
• Gold-plated rear fenders
• 317 CI Y-block V-8 engine, the engine block is finished in Gold
• Automatic transmission
• Gold and White brocade fabric seats
• Padded dash and door panels
• Plush White mink carpeting
• Remote door poppers
• Aircraft-inspired steering yoke and unicontrol lever
• In-dash television, radio and reel-to-reel tape recorder
• Rear cocktail lounge