The automotive world recently mourned the passing of custom car legend Jim Street on November 29th, 2017. Now, enthusiasts are abuzz with excitement as his extraordinary collection is being meticulously sorted and cataloged. Among the first treasures to emerge are two iconic vehicles: the Golden Sahara and the Kookie T, offering a glimpse into the remarkable world Jim Street cultivated.
My own connection with Jim Street began during a research trip in November 2010 with Palle Johansen. We were tracing the history of the Jack Stewart Ford, recently acquired by Palle, and our journey led us to Jim Street in Dayton, Ohio. Jim had owned the Jack Stewart Ford briefly in the early 1950s after purchasing it from Jack Stewart himself. Our meeting took place at the Radar Security building in Dayton, a business born from the innovative electronics Jim and Henry Meyer developed for the Golden Sahara. For over three decades, Jim operated Radar Security, and by the time of our visit, the building served as a storage space for a portion of his vast collection.
A moment in time: Jim Street pictured on the right with Rik Hoving during a 2012 meeting.
Over the years preceding our visit, I had spoken with Jim on numerous occasions about his famed Golden Sahara, the Jack Stewart Ford, and the many other gems within his collection. He shared stories of his Radar Security venture and hinted at the scale of his automotive passion. However, nothing could have prepared me for the reality of stepping into his storage facility.
As Jim swung open the doors, the first car to greet us was none other than the legendary Kookie T. Palle and I were utterly speechless. While we held a glimmer of hope to see some of Jim’s famous cars, our primary focus was the Jack Stewart Ford. To be confronted with the Kookie T, a hot rod icon adorned with Larry Watson’s signature pearl paint and candy red flames, was simply breathtaking. This Kookie T, once owned by Norm Grabowski, stood before us in all its glory. Despite some interior damage, likely from rodents, and a few paint blisters, the car exuded an undeniable aura. Touching this legendary Hot Rod was an almost surreal experience. Scattered on the floor were pearl white paint chips, remnants of its iconic finish. I cautiously asked Jim if I could take a few as a keepsake, and he graciously agreed. Sadly, these fragile pieces of automotive history didn’t survive the journey home, seemingly vaporizing during the flight. Our conversation with Jim that day spanned the Jack Stewart Ford and countless other topics, naturally leading to the elusive Golden Sahara. Unfortunately, Jim couldn’t unveil the Sahara at that time, explaining it was meticulously shrouded under layers of tarps, completely sealed for preservation.
The Kookie T’s custom trailer, a testament to Jim Street’s showmanship, parked outside the Radar Security Building in 2010.
Two years later, in 2012, I returned to Dayton. By then, I was deeply immersed in crafting the Jack Stewart Ford book and sought to further explore Jim’s automotive world for a dedicated chapter. I spent an unforgettable week with Jim, during which he generously shared the complete saga of the Golden Sahara, along with detailed histories of other cars and boats in his collection, and every detail he could recall about the Jack Stewart Ford. One afternoon, I found myself at Jim’s home, peering into his garage, catching glimpses of the Golden Sahara’s silhouette beneath its protective covers. I was mere feet away from one of the most iconic custom cars ever created, and I finally understood the extent of its careful storage. It was elevated, tires off the ground, cocooned in preservation. So close, yet still unable to witness the Golden Sahara in its entirety.
Over the ensuing years, my conversations with Jim continued regularly. He often mentioned the numerous offers he had declined for both the Golden Sahara and the Kookie T. Moments of considering a sale were fleeting, overshadowed by his deep-seated desire to retain them. The Golden Sahara, in particular, was his prized possession, and he was determined to ensure it wouldn’t fall into what he considered “the wrong hands.” As Jim faced health challenges in his later years, his spirit remained vibrant, especially when reminiscing about the Golden Sahara’s creation, the innovative features he conceived, and the talented individuals who contributed to its realization.
Upon hearing of Jim’s passing in November 2017, I knew it was only a matter of time before his automotive treasures would resurface. Jim had never explicitly discussed the fate of his collection after his death, but given its magnitude, I anticipated an eventual auction. The recent unveiling of the Golden Sahara and Kookie T marks a day of immense excitement for car enthusiasts worldwide, witnessing these legends emerge after decades of seclusion. Yet, it’s also a poignant moment, evoking cherished memories of my friendship with Jim and his infectious passion for custom car creations. Further insights into Jim’s remarkable life and collection will be shared in future articles on Custom Car Chronicle. For now, the Golden Sahara, Kookie T, and other vehicles from Jim Street’s collection are slated to be auctioned in May 2018 at the Indianapolis Mecum Auction.
The Golden Sahara auction lot will include a trove of original documentation, including receipts dating back to 1958 and early 1959, alongside rare original photographs, offering a unique glimpse into the car’s history.
Emerging from decades of storage, the Golden Sahara II is seen in daylight. The pearl paint, applied around 1959, shows yellowing and browning, likely due to the clear coat used with the pearl paste. Note the partly disassembled custom hubcaps, missing their finned centers (which are still with the car). The Goodyear glass tires unfortunately disintegrated upon unwrapping.
Ben Blevins, fortunate to have a friend assisting with the Jim Street estate, was granted a preview of the collection. In March 2018, the Golden Sahara was carefully moved from its garage storage and brought outside for the first time in decades, before being relocated to the Radar Security building. Ben’s friend extended an invitation to witness this historic moment, and Ben generously shared his photographs with Custom Car Chronicle. This unveiling is the moment custom car enthusiasts across the globe have eagerly anticipated. Let us now revel in these first glimpses of the Golden Sahara II and the Kookie T, icons rediscovered after decades of slumber.
Ben Blevins captured the Golden Sahara inside the Radar Security building. Remarkably complete and in good condition, aside from the paint yellowing, sparking questions about potential cleaning or clear coat restoration.
Close-up reveals paint cracks on the front scoop. The Golden Sahara’s paint has taken on a distinctly golden hue over time.
The bespoke bubble top appears to be in excellent condition, mirroring the well-preserved state of the interior.
Everything remains intact: the telephone, television, custom steering wheel, laminated shifter, and the ’58 Ford hood scoop integrated into the dash.
The original Golden Sahara featured a wrap-around rear bench by Carson Top Shop. Jim Street enhanced this in the Golden Sahara II with a custom center console incorporating a cocktail bar and even a small refrigerator. Regrettably, the upholsterer for this iteration remains unknown.
A modified 1957 Chrysler steering wheel was the foundation for the Golden Sahara’s distinctive aircraft-style steering.
The advanced remote controls, a hallmark of Jim Street’s innovative approach.
Bob Metz sculpted the signature twin-fin rear fenders. Delphos Machine & Tool shop played a key role in crafting the unique taillights. The image reveals the rear fender skirt panel slightly detached, exposing the 1957 Chrysler Radio buttons used as accents.
An unprecedented view: the hood open on the Golden Sahara, a detail rarely seen before.
Behold the Golden Sahara’s powerful 525 HP engine, revealed for the first time in these unveiling photos.
Jim Street’s Showmanship: Collection Signs Emerge
Over the decades Jim Street showcased the Golden Sahara, he amassed a collection of signs designed to accompany the car displays. During our last conversations, he mentioned these signs were still stored within the Radar Security building, though their exact location remained a mystery. It appears that some, and perhaps all, of these signs have been rediscovered during the cataloging of the Jim Street Collection. These signs offer further insight into Jim’s promotional efforts and the Golden Sahara’s history.
Jim Street, a savvy businessman, supplemented travel expenses for the Golden Sahara and Kookie T by selling photographs of the cars at shows.
An exquisitely crafted sign highlighting the Goodyear illuminating tires, christened “Gold Glass Slippers” by Jim, likely inspired by the film “Cinderfella” featuring the Golden Sahara. Robbie the Robot, a beloved toy of Jim’s, is also referenced; he often displayed dozens of these robots alongside the car.
The Kookie T: A Hot Rod Legend Returns
When Palle and I first encountered the Kookie T in 2010, Jim explained it had just been retrieved from storage. Despite assurances that the storage facility was rodent-proof, a disheartening inspection in 2010 revealed significant interior damage inflicted by pests. Determined to prevent further deterioration, Jim brought the Kookie T to his Radar Security building for safer keeping.
The Kookie T at Larry Watson’s renowned shop around 1960, during its iconic customization.
The Kookie T still proudly wears its 1960s pearl white and candy flame paint scheme. The front whitewall tires show more wear than the robust double slicks at the rear.
Observe the enduring pearl paint on the Kookie T, applied circa 1960. Its color integrity is notably superior to the Golden Sahara’s pearl, suggesting a more durable clear base was utilized.
On my first day in 2012, Jim drove me from my motel to a local workshop showcasing his then-current project: a subtly customized 1949 Buick. He envisioned custom trim enhancements and other refined touches for the car. This Buick is also slated to be part of the May 2018 auction.
My heartfelt gratitude extends to Jim for his friendship over the past twelve years. I deeply valued our conversations about the Golden Sahara and the Kookie T, and the countless stories he shared. While I knew this day would eventually arrive, I wished it would have been much further in the future. I often remarked to Jim that the world would be captivated by the Golden Sahara’s reappearance, regardless of its condition. However, Jim consistently maintained that he would only unveil it in pristine condition, mirroring its glory days of the mid-1950s to late 1960s, an event he believed unlikely to occur in his lifetime. Yet, on March 13, 2018, the Golden Sahara and Kookie T were revealed online for the first time in decades, and the global response has been nothing short of phenomenal. I profoundly wish Jim could have witnessed this momentous occasion.
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