This 1953 Lincoln Capri Was Famous Customizer’s Daily Driver

Even if you’ve never heard his name, you’ve probably seen George Barris’ work on screen. The famous automobile customizer was responsible for a number of famous vehicles from TV and movies, including plenty of Ford models – like the 1966 Ford Galaxie that starred in the original live action Batman show. Barris took his talent beyond the screen and applied it to his daily driver, making a unique ride out of the bones of a 1953 Lincoln Capri that suffered damage.

Ford Authority checked out the 1953 Lincoln Capri “Golden Sahara” in person when we visited the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles in July 2025. It’s absolutely spotless, and undoubtedly one of the more eye-catching vehicles included in the collection.

Golden Sahara began life as an intact 1953 Capri personally driven by Barris, but it was damaged after poor visibility resulted in an accident with a flatbed truck. Barris took the broken Capri – which harnesses a V8 engine capable of 200 horsepower – and turned it into a functional sculpture based on midcentury space age design.

Two years later, in 1956, fellow customizer Jim Street turned the 1953 Lincoln Capri into the “Golden Sahara II,” treating the opulent vehicle to a set of double fins and custom electronics. The vehicle could be operated using a modified TV remote and steered by a “uni-control” lever. It even featured front-mounted gold-plated sensors that enabled automatic braking, while inside, it featured a TV, radio, car phone, and tape player – all mundane features by modern standards, but groundbreaking for the 1950s..

One of the more head-turning features is the Golden Sahara II’s glowing Neothane tires. The vehicle underwent recent restoration, Goodyear designed and produced a set of LED illuminated tires, a close approximation to the original glowing treads. The 1953 Lincoln Capri even featured its own army of operational mechanical robot toys, interestingly enough – although, sadly, these didn’t accompany it during our visit.

The 1953 Lincoln Capri Golden Sahara II has changed hands a few times since its creation, and currently resides at the Petersen as a testament to the gilded optimism of the 1950s.