This 1974 Sterling has been in the same family since new. It is a partially disassembled project from very early in the long-lived model run which includes a rebuilt 1900cc VW motor. This car is Sterling #007, and is one of the earliest produced in Oakland. It is still equipped largely as-delivered, this low slung vehicle sports a distinctive pop-up greenhouse for ingress and egress and appears to have good fiberglass panels for a vehicle of this type and age. The engine has been recently rebuilt by the seller’s uncle, a VW Master Mechanic, but is not currently installed.

Finished in a pale blue, apparently a marine-type gelcoat rather than paint, the color has lost its luster with age. No cracking or splitting is evident in the bodywork.

The rear window louvers show some warping, though for a kit car of this period other panels and panel gaps appear quite good.

The car’s distinctive hydraulic roof and greenhouse can be seen above, and is shown opened fully in the gallery below. At just 41″ tall it is dwarfed even by the Ford Falcon photographed next to it. Per the seller the car was stored indoors 90% of its life, and only moved to outside storage under a car cover relatively recently.

The interior is in decent condition though somewhat dusty. Heavily reclined fixed-back buckets sport have serviceable upholstery, and apart from two missing panels near the footwells all of the pleated interior paneling appears complete.

Included with the car is a rebuilt 0-mile 1900cc VW-sourced engine, which is not presently installed. As the car has been off the road for some time other recommissioning work will be required.

Sterlings have stayed in production, and later models can be found with drivetrains ranging from Subaru Boxer fours to Mazda Rotaries. This early car is VW-based, and retains that model’s transmission and post-1969 IRS setup. Older records for the car are included, and it is sold with a clean California title.