One of the most legendary custom cars from the 1950s, featuring illuminated Goodyear tires, is available for purchase.

      Mecum

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      Numerous inventive car designs have emerged during my lifetime, but Goodyear’s illuminated tires were conceived long before I arrived. They were introduced in the 1950s as “the tires of tomorrow,” featuring 18 lightbulbs and various colors of dyed polyurethane. For multiple reasons, they never gained popularity, although Goodyear produced several sets before discontinuing the project. They even created a set for Jim Street’s Golden Sahara II, an eye-catching custom vehicle that has recently appeared for sale through Mecum.

      Apart from a stint at the Petersen Museum in Los Angeles, this car has been housed at the Klairmont Kollections Automotive Museum in Chicago since 2018. As you may have heard, that fantastic museum is closing due to the passing of its owner, Larry Klairmont. The Golden Sahara II is among many vehicles included in the Larry’s Legacy sale; however, it could be argued that it holds the most historical importance.

      The 1953 Lincoln Capri that serves as the basis for this custom build was owned by George Barris. While driving it in Sacramento, he had an accident with a hay truck, nearly wrecking the car. Instead of scrapping it, Barris opted to transform it into his most ambitious creation, with financial backing from a man named Jim Street.

      The first version of the Golden Sahara featured a wraparound windshield, a distinctive half-bubble top, and paint mixed with 24-karat gold and actual fish scales for a shimmering finish. It was truly a one-of-a-kind build, complete with white mink carpeting, a television, a telephone, and a cocktail refrigerator—quite extravagant for 1954. People were captivated, and touring car shows helped Street recoup his initial investment of $25,000.

      What followed was even more extraordinary. Street invested an additional $75,000 into creating the Golden Sahara II, which not only included cosmetic enhancements such as quad-stacked headlights and different bumpers but also a remote control driving system. Yes, in 1956, this remarkable vehicle could be operated remotely from outside the car, using antennas in the bumperettes to respond to commands like “start,” “stop,” “accelerate,” and “brake.” It even featured a form of voice control that amazed attendees of the time.

      Despite its array of futuristic features, the Golden Sahara II is best remembered for its Goodyear Neothane tires. We’ve previously covered these, so I’ll reference that blog for the background:

      William Larson, a chemist at Goodyear, collaborated with colleague Anthony Finelli to develop a polyurethane compound known as neothane, enabling Goodyear to produce a tubeless, cordless tire that could be dyed in various colors.

      The outcome was a vibrantly colored tire that could be mounted on a wheel, adding a touch of personalization.

      “Goodyear’s translucent tire can be manufactured in any color to match the car…or maybe even the wife’s new dress,” Goodyear’s development manager John J. Hartz remarked in 1962. “Someday, a wife might say to her husband: ‘Charlie, go out and change the tires. I’m wearing my blue dress tonight.’”

      However, what truly distinguished the tire compound was its ability to transmit light. Engineers installed 18 light bulbs into the center of the wheel, generating an electroluminescent-like glow on the ground and within the vehicle's wheel wells.

      Indeed, the Golden Sahara II had it all.

      Built by Barris, the car enjoyed a glamorous Hollywood existence in the 1960s, appearing in films and game shows. Then, Street somewhat unexpectedly removed it from the public eye, keeping it hidden until Klairmont bought it at auction seven years ago. It subsequently underwent restoration, with those glowing tires being a vital aspect of the thorough process.

      Klairmont engaged Speakeasy Customs in Chicago for the restoration. Remarkably, they worked with Goodyear and Kelsey Tire to produce a new set of glowing tires. Despite the technology not being used for over 50 years, they successfully created a new set since Kelsey Tire had a mold in the appropriate size and design. Programmable LEDs were employed to light them up, giving the Golden Sahara II a new set of warm orange Goodyear tires.

      Everything was finished just in time for the 2019 Geneva Motor Show; however, in unfortunate circumstances, the Golden Sahara II sustained damage during transit. It was being transported in a truck when it collided with another vehicle, resulting in damage to the driver’s side door, fender, and grille. Danrr Auto Body expedited repairs to ensure it was ready for Geneva, and upon its return to the United States, they completed all the final touches to restore it to pristine condition.

      It is currently offered in this excellent condition, with no reserve