Jim Street's 1953 Golden Sahara II Concept Show Car

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George Barris (auto customizer).

Jim Street in the Golden Sahara II.

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Blog Created: 3-4-2026

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The Golden Sahara II or Concept Goodyear Golden Sahara II is a futuristic concept car designed by American custom car designer George Barris, based on the 1953 Lincoln Capri, presented at the GM Motorama show in Los Angeles in 1954 and upgraded to Version II in 1956.

History ~

The American custom car designer George Barris designed the Golden Sahara II based on the damaged chassis of his personal 1953 Lincoln Capri, with a 200 hp V8 engine.

The design is inspired by the jet era and futuristic Batmobiles of the 1950s, with the glazed cockpit of a 1953 Lincoln Capri, luxurious gold-plated interior and exterior trim, translucent-luminous Goodyear tires, and advanced (and partly dummy) electronic equipment for the time: piloting controls inspired by aeronautics, automatic emergency braking based on obstacle sensors, electric door opening, voice control, radio, stereo system, tape recorder, television, telephone, and cocktail bar.

It was presented in many television programs of the time and inspired other futuristic concept cars of the era (such as the 1954 Ford FX-Atmos, 1955 Ford Mystere, 1955 Lincoln Futura, 1956 Oldsmobile Golden Rocket, and 1956 Lincoln Premiere). Currently, the Golden Sahara II is displayed at the Blackhawk Museum in Danville, CA.

956 Oldsmobile Golden Rocket Motorama show car.

Ford FX-Atmos concept car (1954).

Lincoln Futura, 1955. This car would become the original Batmobile.

The Capri was built from 1952-59, sharing body style with the Ford Victoria. Available as Hardtop only in 1956.

Classic car ~

It was purchased at an auction from its owner in 2018, and fully restored by Goodyear and the Klairmont Kollections car museum in Chicago, then successfully presented at the 2019 Geneva International Motor Show.

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Jim demonstrating the Golden Sahara II early version at a local TV studio.

Jim demonstrating the latest Golden Sahara features for one of the many TV shows it appeared in.

Jim Street behind his office in the Radar Security office building in the 1970’s.

Radio interview for Jim Street about the Golden Sahara.

The Golden Sahara II appeared on magazine covers and was featured inside.

The first version of the Golden Sahara Hauler was restyled by Bill DeCarr and painted pearl white with gold ad candy red by Larry Watson. The GS Hauler can be seen here leaving the Larry Watson Bill DeCarr Artesia Blvd shop in Bellflower Ca.