Richard Bartrop Posted October 15, 2019 Posted October 15, 2019 (edited) Part of the same collection as the Grabowski roadster, the Golden Sahara had been restored, and is back on display. Goodyear recreated the light up tires that were on its last public shown version, though unlike the old ones, the new ones are solid, and aren't really intended to be used for normal driving. More here https://www.hagerty.com/articles-videos/articles/2019/03/07/golden-sahara-ii-restored-to-original-glory More than a little hype in calling it the first autonomous car, though. Edited October 15, 2019 by Richard Bartrop
stitchdup Posted October 15, 2019 Posted October 15, 2019 There's supposed to be a documentary on the restoration coming at some point. I think I read it on Rik Hovings site
TarheelRick Posted October 15, 2019 Posted October 15, 2019 IMHO that is one ugly waste of sheetmetal. George Barris had a vivid imagination, but I think at times he may have spent a bit too much time in Napa Valley prior to building.
peteski Posted October 15, 2019 Posted October 15, 2019 While I applaud all the individuals and companies involved for restoring this unique vehicle, I still think it's butt-ugly!
thatz4u Posted October 15, 2019 Posted October 15, 2019 I think this car had bit part in the "Time Machine" movie & an early Star Trek tv episode
cobraman Posted October 15, 2019 Posted October 15, 2019 Sometimes your better off not to say anything.
SfanGoch Posted October 15, 2019 Posted October 15, 2019 Maybe not the first autonomous car; but, definitely the first in a long line of pimpmobiles.
Deuces Posted October 15, 2019 Posted October 15, 2019 7 hours ago, peteski said: While I applaud all the individuals and companies involved for restoring this unique vehicle, I still think it's butt-ugly! I agree...
Dave Darby Posted October 15, 2019 Posted October 15, 2019 (edited) 9 hours ago, peteski said: While I applaud all the individuals and companies involved for restoring this unique vehicle, I still think it's butt-ugly! To be fair, this is the second iteration, done by Bob Metz and Ohio's Ohio's Delphos Machine and Tool. The original iteration (below), while still a bit busy, was a good bit cleaner than this version. Edited October 15, 2019 by Dave Darby
Richard Bartrop Posted October 15, 2019 Author Posted October 15, 2019 I actually prefer the first version as well. Still, it's great that this piece of automotive history has been restored, and available for display, and history isn't always pretty..
peteski Posted October 16, 2019 Posted October 16, 2019 I don't find either version attractive, but yes, the original version is better. But for example I fins Lincoln Future quite nice looking.
peteski Posted October 16, 2019 Posted October 16, 2019 9 hours ago, SfanGoch said: Maybe not the first autonomous car; but, definitely the first in a long line of pimpmobiles. My eyes! Oh, my eyes! I cannot un-see that monstrosity! But it would be even worse if all the trim was gold-plated. ?
Spex84 Posted October 16, 2019 Posted October 16, 2019 Ah yes, the kustom-haters are out in force. You guys have no idea what an ugly custom car looks like. There was some stuff built that makes the Sahara look like a model of taste and restraint. And if you do...how 'bout let's put them in a different thread and keep this one about the Golden Sahara. Thanks!
StevenGuthmiller Posted October 16, 2019 Posted October 16, 2019 I might not be an expert on ugly, but I know it when I see it.............and I'm looking at it! Steve
DukeE Posted October 16, 2019 Posted October 16, 2019 (edited) 1 hour ago, Spex84 said: Ah yes, the kustom-haters are out in force. You guys have no idea what an ugly custom car looks like. ...how 'bout let's put them in a different thread and keep this one about the Golden Sahara. Thanks! I like version one too. But I didn't dump all over the thread. How well would that work if everyone hopped in about a fabulous stock Zitmobile like creepy Uncle Fester owned? LOL. At least we get to wade thru "It's ugly" posts while discussing it. Thanks for the tolerance. ? EDIT 18 posts in this thread, 9 pertain to Golden Sahara. Earlier thread about Barris Kopper Kart has 6 posts. ALL pertained to the car. Shockingly no "UGLY" proclamations. Edited October 16, 2019 by DukeE
DukeE Posted October 16, 2019 Posted October 16, 2019 Version 0 Version 1 Version 1 with Chris Craft Cobra. Price one of those out now. Bubble top added later. Please pipe up and say I like the wrecked one better. Or, dump on another thread?
peteski Posted October 16, 2019 Posted October 16, 2019 (edited) Meow Duke! I like the boat - a lot! Hey, even the trailer is cool. Edited October 16, 2019 by peteski
Richard Bartrop Posted October 16, 2019 Author Posted October 16, 2019 (edited) Oh, it's not exactly subtle, to be sure, though it was not built in an age of restraint. When a bone stock Chevy looked like this, I imagine any custom builder who wanted to make something that would stand out had their work cut out for them. And while I'm certainly concede that there are better looking customs out there, it's still a million times better looking than a rat rod. Edited October 16, 2019 by Richard Bartrop
espo Posted October 16, 2019 Posted October 16, 2019 9 hours ago, DukeE said: Version 0 Version 1 Version 1 with Chris Craft Cobra. Price one of those out now. Bubble top added later. Please pipe up and say I like the wrecked one better. Or, dump on another thread? You are correct on the price of the Chris Craft. When I lived in Sacramento we would often go to Lake Tahoe and we attended the annual Boat Show there several times. The owners of a few of this model of boat were always there at the show. As I recall they were only offered starting around 1949 and only built thru the early '50's. This to me is still one of the best looking wooden boats ever. They still have this show every year during the summer, anyone living within driving distance with any interest in restored wooden boats should make it a point to attend this event. Many of the owners even dress in the period of their boats and there is also some period boat tow vehicles also on display.
StevenGuthmiller Posted October 16, 2019 Posted October 16, 2019 9 hours ago, Richard Bartrop said: And while I'm certainly concede that there are better looking customs out there, it's still a million times better looking than a rat rod. I guess I have to agree with that. Steve
Snake45 Posted October 16, 2019 Posted October 16, 2019 10 hours ago, Richard Bartrop said: And while I'm certainly concede that there are better looking customs out there, it's still a million times better looking than a rat rod. Disagree. I've seen quite a few "rat rods" that had way more eye appeal than this backbirth. Not EVERY rat rod, of course (many of which are straight-up eyesores), but several I can think of.
Richard Bartrop Posted October 16, 2019 Author Posted October 16, 2019 At least this one doesn't look like you'll catch tetanus off it.
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