Kit cars are an acquired taste for sure, but something we can likely all agree on is that a canopy roof that pops up to allow passengers to enter and exit is pretty darn cool. That’s the setup on the Sterling kit car, which hails from the era when it was practically a fad to convert your old Beetle into something that looked a little bit like a Ferrari, and a little bit like a Ford GT40. While we see plenty of Kelmarks and Bradleys come up for sale, the Sterling appears far less often. By all accounts, it was a pretty decent kit back in the day, so check out this example listed here on eBay for $4,750 or best offer.
The listing for this Sterling is quite intriguing, which we’ll get into momentarily. When new, the builders of the Sterling package received high praise for the quality of the components and the completeness of the package. Oftentimes, the rough edges we see on kit cars can be attributed to the builders being responsible for “filling in the blanks” from the factory, which allows for lots of variability in the final assembly. Sterling did a fair amount of pre-packaging for the eventual builder, taking extra steps before delivery like having the glass pre-installed in the canopy. The canopy also eliminates the need for doors, and the entire body attached to the VW chassis with just 28 bolts.
The California blue plates suggest this Sterling has at least been assembled for many years, and the engine specs suggest someone devoted a fair amount of time to making it a legitimate performance car. The taillights are almost certainly from a Triumph TR7, and I’m guessing the rear window louvers were plucked from a late 70s sports car. While it clearly has been off the road for some time, the listing confirms it has been stored indoors since 1992, which is better treatment than most neglected kit cars kit. The dual exhaust offer a clue to some of the performance that hides within.
The seller provides a few key details about the engine build, including that it features “….Bosch ignition, Norris cam, 2-2 barrel Weber carbs. 4 quart oil cooled engine,” and that it produces around 110 horsepower. He also notes it has a top speed of 115 miles per hour. Those figures are impressive, and we’re hoping there’s paperwork someday that supports those claims. Regardless, to find a Sterling that is in decent shape with a seriously cool engine build underneath doesn’t happen often, so I’d move quickly if an oddball kit car like this holds appeal. Would you take on a project like this?
This seems like it would make a great project car for a young person just getting into cars.
The price isn’t bad and it seems like a fun car to work on.
If your going to put a vehicle up for sale why not put some air in the tires, and maybe take the wheel and tire out of the interior?
And polish the headlight covers.
The seller writes the engine is a from 1966 VW (1300 cc & 50 hp). Getting the numbers the seller states (1835 cc & 110 hp) from that engine would be quite an upgrade.
As as old bug nut from back in the day, I’ve owned around 20 air cooled VWs. They can be addictive and tons of fun. And yes some of these “little” 4 cylinder engines can be built to scream.
An 1835 is a fairly mild build for these. Often just a counterweighted stock size crank and a slightly increased bore. I’ve owned and built them up to 2276 cc’s and waxed V8s regularly.
If I had this one thats exactly what I’d do. 2276, or 2386, small turbo and watch out V8s! Cool car. GLWTS
In Europe it is called a Nova, and Hudson Auto Films on YouTube is currently in the middle of a full restomod of one that was sitting for around 30 years outside. About 3 months ago one was for sale in Canada, and it was GORGEOUS! Candy apple paint, turbine wheels, big blown engine, sounded amazing. Basically it’s the poor man’s Lamborghini, but actually not crappy. I wish I could post some pics of that one here, but unfortunately I can’t… Look it up on Google if you get the chance. One of imo the two best kit cars ever made in this time.
The “Nova” name was owned by Chevrolet here in the States, hence the change to “Sterling” for U.S. sales.
Interesting fact – The Chevy Nova was never a big seller south of the border. In Spanish, “No va” means “Doesn’t go”.
Chevrolet owned the “Nova” nameplate, hence the change to “Sterling” here in the U.S.
Interesting fact – The Chevy Nova had poor sales south of the border. Why? In Spanish, “No va” means “Doesn’t go”.
There’s a kid restoring one of these on Youtube. He calls it his 80’s supercar. Pretty entertaining. He’s been doing all of the work in a shed without electricity.
Hudson Auto Films
I’ve been following him too. I thought it was interesting that they are called novas over there, but sterlings over here.
I always found the Sterling to be one of the more attractive designs as far as 70s kit cars go. No pictures with the canopy lifted though. With the canopy lifted at a car show, it would get the most stares out of any car there. Nice price for a cool and unique project.
Back in the late ’70s sometime. I ran across this company that had a booth at the Chicago Auto Show. I was always kind of into kit cars and got to talking to one of the owners of the company. The car that they had on display had a Transverse engine and transmission from a VW Rabbit installed. Since at the time I was competing in ice racing, autocross and eventually pro rally in a Scirocco we had quite the discussion about the engine and how it was bolted to the one off chassis. He even ended up offering me a job. I kept track of the company and it’s offerings for a few years and never saw them offer the unit with the “water cooled” VW engine. The only issues that I remember about this car is ventilation, or the lack thereof. Cool looking and a reasonable quality unit.
Includes 1 quart in oil filter, so it’s got that going for it.
Factory exhaust for the VW four pot. Those exhausts were made specifically for the car. I question the 110hp- even an 1835 would be hard pressed for 90hp. It’s possible, I suppose. But that top speed? Maybe, with a tailwind. The nose starts to lift around 85. I’ve collected these cars for years. And yes, Those are TR7 tail lights.
Brother, ive had 1835s that do 110 easily. They’re great little motors that you can daily. Now a big motor like a 2276, or a 2376 will haul the mail. But don’t usually survive a lot of pounding on unless you stay on top of them. You have to go to the later cases or better yet, newer stronger cases made for big bore kits.