There is nothing wrong with the Jefferies version, it was, in my opinion, as cool as the original, but the latest, dual wheel abortion is just wrong. Even for the seventies.
More to help perpetuate the myth... Lastly...... And to add to speculation........ http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=356861&highlight=golden+sahara Enjoy
Now that's funny, right there! If you look at the pictures of ZomBrian's post the top one is the original version without the hood scoop and plastic over the headlights. Also look at the back fender, it has the original Kaiser taillights. Also the windshield has a frame. The picture with the guy firing the rifle you can see that the earlier version didn't have all the gold studs that Jim Street stuck on the side panel.
OK, I'm lost.... Golden Sahara orginal was built by who? when? What happened to it? Golden Sahara 2 was built by who? Jim "Street"? Same car as # one? or a clone? What happened to it? Jim still has, right? what does Barris or Jefferies have to do with them?
Yes. The first pic and the Seiberling ad are the first incarnation. The rest are considered as The Golden Sahara II. Notice the lack of "pizazzzz" between the first and second versions.
For those that know, is the kookie car in a regualr garage? shrink wrapped? covered in a tarp??? Maybe the monkey uses it for a bed
Golden Sahara 1 is the first version of the car, II is the second. Jim Street was involved in the construction as was Barris and Bob Metz, this car pictured above is still owned by Jim. Barris supposedly took credit for the build and this made Jim mad since he had a role in it as well. Jeffries painted the Kookie Car white with red flames shortly after Mr Street bought it from Norm G (for $3,000.00)
In the last version with the dual slicks and dual blowers, the brakes were removed as well as the original rear axle. The brakes were on the shelf until 1980 and were sold to a guy that put them on a red 33 three window, chopped and full fendered. Anyone who lives in Dayton has probably seen the 33 around...it has a small block with a top loader, its a pretty traditional build. The rear axle now belongs to his friend, sitting in his garage.
Version 1 and 2 are the same car, just restyled after Street bought it. It seems that whenever a car became popular, Jim Street bought it and took it home. Golden Sahara, Kookie roadster, Kopper Kart, and the 41 Ford, that I remember.
I think his family was in electronics for the government. I read it somewhere, and that may explain the features on the car. In the magazine article above he gives credit to someone else for the electrical work. He made the car start and the wheels turn without wires coming from the car. He stood away from the car and had a small box in his hand so it was very sophisticated for it's day.
In my recollection, Barris built the first version as he owned the car. He wrecked a Lincoln convertible and from the wreck built the first version. Jim Street bought the car and had Barris add a lot of the gaudy stuff and took the car back east to Ohio. He then had Bob Metz do the fins and more stuff. Barris was involved in the second restyling because he had access to the magazine coverage because of his name. I think that the car was then painted by Barris back in California, but I am not sure of that. The car was transported all over the U.S. inside a Ford Truck painted by Jefferies. Thats what I remember
jim owned a company in west carrollton ohio called radar securities.they sold high end security systems to businesses and homes.at one time the cars were there. as far as the barris thing goes,from what i understand,that is the whole deal.jim did not get the credit that he thought he deserved.so piss on everyone,he won't show the car.as far as more info...i'm working on it.there are a couple people that have worked on it recently.the work has stopped for now,and i am trying to find out the situation.
Spoons, Sounds like you still see him around. I met him in Dayton back in the early 60's. A friend took me over to a car lot he ran way out on East third. When I was introduced his name was Jim Skonzakes. He was very gracious at the time and even showed the Sahara off to us by opening the trailer and backing it out while sitting in his office! We were awed. Also met his body man, who if I remember correctly, was Sam Gates. Sam took us over to his place and showed us a chopped 46 ford he was working on. I had seen it before in one of the little mags. It was had a similar roof to the Ayala coupe. The fenders were not extended. Seems to me the firewall was painted checkerboard. I ran into Jim a year later in a Gas station. He was driving what he called his mothers 48 or so 2 dr sedan Cadillac. It didn't sound like a Caddy and when I asked, he smiled and popped the hood and there sat a Ford SOHC . He said engine was a prize in a car show! Can't imagine that's the guy being described today. Off course he must be in his mid 70's by now. What's your take?
For someone that has worked in the security field and with the knowledge involved, surely would be into computers and I would think has knowledge of what is posted here. This would be the perfect place to get the facts straight and get his due for his part in the construction. He should be proud of what the Golden Sahara could do at that time. He needs to know how much his cars impressed many young guys, like I was, about the custom cars that he owned. If he leaves the credit to be given to Barris, he is defeating his own purpose. I would love to see what is being done on the Golden Sahara. Please.
Yeah, no question it's the same guy. I guess living with a monkey will do strange things to your head.....that and age I guess.
Old guys are strange. My dad hasn't taken the cover off his '56 yet and won't make plans for cruzn this summer.
Thanks for the update, had heard it was on the road to restoration... I agree that his side of the story would be very interesting, however I read that he has been aporached by big shots in the magazine business and is not interested... Maybe someone who knows him can show him that people want to hear his side...
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