Built in 1954, the Golden Sahara II was equipped with state-of-the-art-technology including voice commands and sensor-based automatic emergency braking.

George Barris, used a wrecked 1953 Lincoln Capri. Collector Jim Street spent about $75,000 (nearly $700,000 in 2019 dollars) to turn his dream into a running and driving reality.

The Golden Sahara II originally sat on translucent tires custom-made by Goodyear. At the time, the company’s research and development department was studying tires that lit up in inclement weather, or when the driver applied the brakes. Goodyear contributed to the restoration by re-creating a set of urethane tires. While the originals could be filled with air the new ones are completely solid, meaning the car is only drivable at low speeds. They’re equipped with LED lights—the wonders of modern technology—to look like the originals. Turn signals integrated into the wheels previewed the mirror-mounted repeaters.

Long fenders with slanted ends, a wrap-around windshield, a bubble-shaped open roof, and quad tail fins.

The driver could steer, brake, and accelerate using an airplane-like control yoke. A remote control could start or stop the engine, open the doors, and accelerate and brake the car. This technology made the car driverless, but the Golden Sahara II wasn’t exactly autonomous. Passengers could watch TV make a cocktail using ingredients stored in a refrigerated compartment installed between the sofa-like rear seats. A pair of short antennas integrated into the front end, automatically hit the brakes if they detected an obstacle in the car’s path.

It landed a role in the 1960 movie Cinderfella, and made an appearance with a game show called I’ve Got a Secret in 1962.

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