The futuristic ’50s car that wowed at this week’s Geneva show

It’s called the Golden Sahara II and it’s amazing

The Geneva Motor Show might be known for new car launches, but one stand featured a vehicle that, to our minds, is far more spectacular.

Meet the 1958 Golden Sahara II: a breathtakingly advanced vision-of-the-future car which packs autonomous features that aren’t even common today. 

Oh, and it also has glowing orange tyres.  

So how was it created and why was it in Switzerland? Read on…

She's electric

This car started life as a 1953 Lincoln Capri Hardtop but, clearly, a lot has changed since then.

It was developed by Jim Street and legendary custom-car designer George Barris as a platform for testing new electronics systems, meaning its beauty is much more than skin deep.

And there’s a very good reason why it was display on Goodyear’s stand at Geneva.

Wheely good

Unsurprisingly, the Goodyear link relates to the Golden Sahara II’s tyres – and right away it’s clear they’re not your usual black, rubbery kind.

They’re made of Neothane, which is a translucent form of synthetic rubber. At the time, Goodyear was researching tyres that could improve poor-weather visibility or that could illuminate when the driver braked, which takes us onto their party trick…

Light fantastic

That’s right – this car’s tyres glow, due to the fact that they have internal lighting. And just for good measure they also have crystal hubcaps with built-in indicators. Of course they do.

Space-age accommodation

Get inside and the Golden Sahara II is no less dramatic – I mean, just look at it.

There’s generous room for four to luxuriate on gold and white brocade fabric seats, which match the pearlescent paint made with fish scales and the 24-carat gold detailing.

Steering sensation

Let’s return to those electronics systems the car was conceived to showcase.

As you can see, there’s no steering wheel.

Instead, the cabin has an aeroplane-inspired lever for acceleration, braking and steering, while its automatic braking system uses sensors to detect potential objects in the car’s path.

Lap of luxury

It also has a padded dashboard and door panels, and an in-dash television, radio and tape recorder.

And let’s not forget a type of voice control, as well as remote-controlled doors and engine start/stop. Oh, and mink carpeting underfoot.

Anyone for a party?

The car’s rear-seat occupants weren’t short-changed, however. Just look at those comfy, wraparound cushions.

And what’s that in the centre? A refrigerated cocktail cabinet, of course.

Pioneering platform

“The 1950s and ’60s were a period of intense innovation for Goodyear,” said Henry Dumortier, Vice President Consumer for Goodyear Europe.

“We partnered with mobility pioneers in everything from lunar exploration to land speed records. Goodyear’s collaboration on the Golden Sahara II project was our first step in shaping the future of autonomous mobility.”

Still incredible

If the Golden Sahara II seems familiar, it might be because it starred in the 1960 fantasy-romance film Cinderfella and on the US panel game show I've Got a Secret.

After its heyday, it was parked in a garage for around half a century until it resurfaced and was sold at Mecum’s Indy 2018 auction last May.

It was bought by Klairmont Kollections and has since been painstakingly restored.

A bespoke production

We can’t resist another look at those amazing tyres.

In fact, Goodyear produced four, brand-new, translucent tyres for the car’s Geneva presentation.

Star of the show

It’s certainly unlike any other car under the bright lights at Geneva.

“We are truly honoured to have once again been a partner in the Golden Sahara II project,” Dumortier added.

“Discovery and innovation continue to be the core of what Goodyear does. Working on projects like the Golden Sahara II and the concept tyres that we present at Geneva is an opportunity to stretch our imagination and envision the possible products and services of the future.”