Direct from the estate of longtime owner Jim Street, the early Barris custom known as the Golden Sahara will be offered without reserve at the Mecum Indy auction on May 15-19. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.
Today’s Headlines:
+ General Motors announced it will build the production versions of its self-driving Cruise AV car, which has no steering wheel or pedals, at its Orion, Michigan plant. More at the Detroit Free Press.
+ According to Ford CEO Jim Hackett, nearly 90 percent of the vehicles sold in America by the company in 2020 will be trucks, SUVs, and commercial vehicles. More at The Detroit News.
+ Harley-Davidson has taken a stake in Alta Motors, an electric vehicle and components supplier, as it prepares to bring an electric motorcycle to market in 2019. More at USA Today.
+ European car sales edged up 4 percent in February, pushed by strong gains in Germany, France, and Spain, reports the Brussels-based industry body ACEA. More at Automotive News Europe.
+ The Lowe’s home improvement chain announced that it will discontinue its long-running sponsorship of Hendrick Motorsports and driver Jimmie Johnson at year’s end. More at Fox Sports.
+ The Lincoln Aviator name, last seen in 2002-2005, will return at the New York Auto Show next month on a three-row crossover concept that could replace the current MKT. More at Autoblog.
+ Prices have been set for the 2018 Mazda6 sedan, due in showrooms next month, at $22,840 for a base model up to $35,640 for a fully loaded Signature edition. More at Motor Trend.
+ Moody’s has upgraded its outlook for the global auto industry from negative to stable, reporting that it expects new car sales in 2018 to be stronger than expected. More at CNBC.
+ Stored for decades by the late Jim Street, its original owner-builder, the 1953 Lincoln custom known as the Golden Sahara will be offered without reserve at the Mecum Indy auction. More at Hemmings Daily.
+ FIA president Jean Todt, a former Ferrari manager himself, admits Ferrari has an added importance to Formula 1 but says manufacturer departures are part of the sport. More at Racer.
Review the previous Executive Briefing from March 12 here.
Photo courtesy of Mecum Auctions.
Have you joined Mac’s Motor City Garage on Facebook? It’s lots of fun with rare photos, lore, trivia, and great discussions. Click here to go the page and join MCG. Be sure to check out our companion Facebook group MOTOROLOGY, too.
An electric Harley Davidson,, must have tape recorded noise. The main reason that they are so popular is that big V twin growl.
As for the Barris creation? I really do ask why? Customs like such are only show cars, never to be actually driven. And cars are meant to be driven!
Oh, oh, Lowes pulling out,,,that’s a biggie.
Lowes sees NASCAR slowly dying, so they’re getting out before the big collapse. Watch for others to do the same. The handwriting is on the wall….
The Golden Sahara may have been hot in it’s day, but it was ugly then and it’s still ugly! A good example that if a little is good, then too much is just right, NOT! A true custom like the Hirohata Merc had lots of hidden custom touches you had to really look for to notice, yet everything had a flow about it. It was smooth all over. The Sahara looks like a bunch of parts grafted on without any thoughts on flow. Lumpy.
Typical Barris-excessive and bloated