Golden Sahara II's transparent tires??????

I was crusing through my Library last night and found this article about the
Golden Sahara. In the article it mentioned that the Sahara II had gold
transparent gl*** tires. Anybody have pics???????

Happy Trails,

Mick

 

That makes it easier to see if there is air in the tires, right?

 

I saw the Golden Sahara in 1961 at a Ford dealer showroom in Clearwater, FL. It and the original Kookie T were toured across the country by the owner who lives in Ohio and still owns both cars. Won't let anyone see them and I hear that the Kookis T has been pretty butchered up. The Sahara had the transparent tires at the dealer, but the picture I bought didn't have them. They were actually yellowed translucent color. Anyhow here are the pictures I bought in 1961.

 

MY father-in-law used to work for general tire. He told me they could do all kinds of things to make tires. Some rich guy came in one time and had either a set of gold or pink tires made. It wouldnt amaze me if the sahara had something crazy like that.

 

Cool pics. I've seen a poster about that tour on e-Bay. It's interesting to see from the changed flames on the Kookie T that it's eventual desecration had begun. No wonder the guy in Ohio won't let anybody see it ... He should be ashamed!

 

Stray-

Sorry, no pics - but I remember reading about transparent tires (in several colors) in an issue of Popular Mechanics (or whatever) many, many years ago.

They were developed by one of the big tire companies, and supposed to be the thing of the future. Like so much of that "futuristic" stuff, they never caught on. They were probably Nylon or some sort of "space-age" plastic and I imagine there were all sorts of issues with wear and roadability.

There were only a very few sets made, and show cars were likely the only suitable vehicles for them.

 

I tried to email you before - not sure it went through - but I just joined this site so I'm trying again - here goes:

Hello Mick,

I saw your request for information on the Golden Sahara - I recently recorded a 5 1/2 minute segment of video when the car was featured on the old 60's game show, I've Got a Secret.

If you like, I can send you a Quicktime version of the recording. On the show they demonstrated that the car could be run by remote control, the doors and trunk could open by the same remote, it also had various steering choices and features, it had a tv, stereo, and a phone in the dash, white mink floor mats, in the back was a bar for drinks, sensors up front under the head lights that engage the brake, gold plating just past the front wheels, and also that the Goodyear tires could light up. Hope this helps.

Nick M.

 

Can you post it to this thread? I'm sure a lot of us custom geeks would love to see it. Thanks!

 

I wouldn't be surprised if this brings up the whole nitrogen tire topic again.


Oops, look what I did. Sorry, a little hungded over.

 

My dad has color pics of the Kookie Car in that config from the same time, they stopped to have the hauler worked on at his dealership.

Sadly the owner then added DUALIES in back, yes TWO tires per side! And truck like EXHAUST STACKS!

 

Please post video!
Thank You
Cody

 

Light-up tires? What the hell?!?

 

Hey Nick,

Love the pictures!!!

Sorry about not replying to your pm I had a wild day planned and didn't have time to respond. When I read your pm saying that you had 5 1/2 minutes of the Golden Sahara it drove me Krazy. If I would have looked at it, I would have been in Dreamsville all day. If you don't know, I have Kustom A.D.D. I would love to see the film I just kan't play Quicktime version.

What can we do HAMBers to get the footage posted.

Happy Trails,

Mick

 

Glad to help out - how small does the Quicktime video file have to be to be accepted?

Nick M.

 

drop it on youtube!! thats the easiest

 

I don't know the answer but hopefully we will get some help.

 

Mike,
Have to go now - I'll look into YouTube - I'll try and figure that out and let you know when it's posted. Otherwise you might like it posted on your thread here - or both.?.

Nick

 

Let us know when you get the You tube figured out and we will get it tagged.
Be better to post it on here since the post is already going. I don't care I
just would like to see the footage.

The suspence is killing me!!!

Happy Trails,

Mick

 

Mike and all,

The video is up on YouTube - I'm afraid though that you may be a little disappointed as the folks on the tv show don't take the time to "light up the tires" - sorry - but the rest you should be pleased with - and you can hear the car running!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPCYBINjDzA

enjoy,
Nick

 

thank you SOOO much for that! made my day!

 

wicked awesome!!!!

 

great vid george jetson would love it as well ..

 

Guys -
I re-listed the video - this time with the correct ***le of Golden Sahara II - Just wanted to be more correct in the ***le.
Nick

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hh79rjltJJI

 

Holy ****!!! That car just took on a whole new mystique for me. Why ANYONE would spend that much money and then stuff it away for 50 years is BIZARRE!!!
Would love to see an interview of that guy today explaining his actions with two of the most recognizable cars in the hot rod world. Sadly he will eventually p*** away never telling why he did that.

 

I think the car is still in the Dayton Ohio area and still owned by the person who had it built,I have heard stories about it from a guy who was like a body guard to the owner. I think the family of the owner was in the dry cleaning business and had more money then they knew what to do with so that would explain why he went so far with it,those pics of it are the first I have seen but if what I heard is true its around Dayton somewhere. Jeff

 

very interesting for sure. i've heard mr.skonzakis has tried to get estimates on a restoration but no one will touch it because of questionable at best underlying body work and the wiring nightmare. that was Jim Skonzakis (jim street) demoing the car. he still owns it. here's his 49 olds also built at barris.

 

The Golden Sahara was featured in the movie "Cinderfella" and if you look close, you will see the owner in the movie, with gold makeup as the driver.

 

Here's a postcard in color showing (barely) the front tires lit up. If you mold a continental kit into your decklid foxy golden babes will use it to sit on.

I couldn't figure out my scanner so I took a picture of my postcard. The text on the back is partially missing from taping this on my wall. What is left says that "the tires are gold color Neothane gl*** and illuminate at night. Developed by Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co." It talks about the fish scales, remote control, and also says it was used in the movie Cindefella.

If I remember right, this started out as a 54 lincoln that was wrecked. Or maybe I'm screwed up and thinking about another Barris car.

 

What did it start out as.