Description

Sterling Component Cars Mid West Inc. Made in Forest Park ILL.


The Sterling is a 1970s wedge-styled sports car kit featuring a jet-fighter-style lifting canopy roof, a lightweight fiberglass body, and an air-cooled Volkswagen Beetle chassis foundation. Originally designed in the UK by Richard Oakes and Phil Sayers as the "Nova," it was renamed the Sterling for the US market to avoid naming conflicts.

Design and Mechanics:
Chassis & Engine: Built on a shortened VW Beetle floorpan, using rear-mounted, air-cooled VW flat-four engines (and occasionally upgraded or Porsche powerplants).
Canopy Roof: Features an electrically or hydraulically operated canopy that swings forward to let drivers enter the cockpit.
Body Style: Ultra-low profile, popup headlights, and sharp geometric angles typical of 1970s exotic concept cars.

History and Production:
Origins: Conceived in the UK in 1971 before gaining massive popularity in the United States after a 1973 Car and Driver feature.
California Concept Cars (CCC): A prominent Bay Area shop that professionally built and streamlined around 875 US versions of the car.
Community: Enthusiasts continue to buy, restore, and trade parts via dedicated networks like the Sterling Kit Cars Forum.