Can a kit car be a survivor? The Sterling (or Nova, Eureka, Sebring, Cimbria, Sovran, Puma, Totem, Eagle, Scorpion, Ledl, Defi, Gryff, and Tarantula!) may have the distinction of having been produced under the most names of any coupe kit car ever, and this bright yellow version looks like it was complete and roadworthy at some point. Unfortunately, it’s now off the road and without a title. It’s listed for sale here on Facebook Marketplace for an asking price of $3,750. Thankfully, it looks almost immaculate under the dust and apparently has been protected from the elements during its time in New Kensington, Pennsylvania. Special thanks to Chuck F. for this tip!
I spent some time this morning reading a fascinating book (seriously!) written by Phill Fenton about the design and creation of the kit that began as the Nova in the early 1970s and eventually morphed into all those model names in the first paragraph. Most, including this particular Sterling, were designed to fit on a VW Beetle pan and utilized mechanical components from the same car. The Sterling was a licensed copy of the British Nova (obviously Chevrolet had the rights to that name in the US) that was manufactured by California Components Cars in San Lorenzo, California. Believe it or not, you could buy a suitably updated Sterling kit as late as 2014 (but not from the same company).
While we don’t know much about this particular car, it does seem to have been completed to a high standard at some point. I’m guessing that was a while back considering the Cragar wheels and whitewall tires (I am not opening up the whitewall discussion again unless you readers want to!) I will tell you that there are plenty of online discussions on the Sterling owners groups here and at the National Sterling Owners Association site here. Back in 2016, our own Josh wrote up a sale of at least seven Sterlings here — it appears owners are quite passionate about the marque!
As tempting as it is to pick on the original builder for apparently upholstering bar stool seats (and flipping one of the cushions the wrong way), it’s the way things were done back then. The fact that speakers were installed properly in the shag carpeting does indicate that at least at some point this was a driveable car. I hope the builder incorporated the optional hydraulic lift system for that large canopy as Mr. Fenton detailed how difficult it was to open without it. Have any of you ever owned or ridden in a Sterling or its many derivatives? Do you think a “time capsule” kit car like this should be considered a “survivor”?
Wow that is some offset steering wheel. Don’t even have to remove your right hand from the wheel while shifting.
Probably the angle of the photo. The cockpit is very tight. I used to run the National Sterling Owners website and am a mod on the Sterling Kit Cars site, so if anyone has specific questions on the cars in general, feel free to ask.
Probably the angle of the camera. These cockpits are tight. I use to own the National Sterling Owners site and am a mod on the Sterling Kit Cars forum, so if anyone has specific questions on the cars, feel free to ask. I do not know about this specific car though.
I always thought that these were one of the best looking kit cars. Have a couple of questions as I have wanted one for a while.
-From what I have seen the bodies and kits seem to be well made. For example the doors fit well and the edges are smooth and concentric. Is that fit and finish from the factory and all cars will be that way or is it due to the owner?
-Have seen cars with larger motors, such as a V6 with a different chassis. How is the handling?
-Have seen a couple Cimbrias, is it only a cosmetic difference or are there other changes?
Thanks
Really now just two photos? Pending.
@SMS Great questions. The bodies, for the most part, are very well made. Gelcoat tends to be smooth, fiberglass thick where it counts. There were two different plants that produced the bodies through the years; the “Midwest” plant (usually stamped as California Component Cars Midwest on the serial number plate on the driver’s sill) did tend to skimp on their quality though. Thinner fiberglass, voids in the composites etc. I do not know what serial number this particular car is though. As for the V6.. In the Sterling, a V6 is a very tight fit. It has been done, but bodywork needs to be done to make it fit. You may be thinking of the Sebring, a similar car by a different manufacturer that offered a V6 as standard at one point in their production. All were still based on the VW chassis. Handling, is, of course, compromised when that extra 300 or so pounds are hanging off a transaxle behind the wheels. Straight lines were fine.. become too aggressive in a corner and you’ll swap end very quickly, much like a 911. As for the Cimbria – completely different car on a VW chassis. Similar looks, but with gull wing doors. Both the Cimbria and Sebring were splashes of the Sterling, introduced at the end of the 1970’s as the kit craze was starting to fade out.
Thanks Rick, tells me what I wanted to know and has me thinking about getting one.
One other question. How it it for baking in the sun when you are sitting at a stop or going down the road?
I owned a Sterling for several years. Great car and lots of fun to drive. Cockpit and roof clearance was very tight but manageable. Worst part was the owner that originally built it, installed an electric hydraulic system for the top. It was great when it worked and drew lots of attention. A couple of times I had to crawl through those tiny windows to get out of the thing. Had a lot of fun with it. Definitely an attention getter no matter where I went. Really would mind owning one again.
SMS : no problem with the sun. I usually only drove it on nice days so there wasn’t a problem. If you’ve been thinking about one this seems like a good deal. I paid 4500. For mine in the 80’s.
@SMS. Oh yes, you will cook. Windows pop out about 3 inches for ventilation while you’re moving and typically there is a fresh air fan in the dash. Doesn’t help when it’s 90 degrees out though :-) . Many owners simply take the windows off as these are fair weather cars. Some add a/c with the expected further power loss on a VW engine.
Gone
@Rick – Seeing your experience with these cars, I do agree that in hot weather it’s much more comfortable to just pop off the windows. Really that was one of the only things I didn’t like about mine. But I owned it for about 5 years and enjoyed it. Finally sold it for 2,500. and a Chopped Chevy stepside pickup.