Here’s a common theme for Rough Start cars from the past: Fox body Fords, most any RWD GM, whatever Mopar isn’t rotting from rust or has genuine potential, an AMC that isn’t priced to death, and the occasional odd but workable import. And maybe a steaming pile or two along the way. Sound about right? Here’s the thing with a five thousand dollar budget: you are really tying your hands together if you want to make a unique project work. Sure, it’d be sweet to make a 1972 Barracuda appear, but that blew the budget just considering the option. Sure, you might find a fourth-gen F-body in the price range, but what’s the likelihood that you’ll spend a lot more in work to get it to useable? There’s a possibility, but at least you’ll find parts, unlike what you’d experience if you got a screaming deal on a 1982 Stutz Victoria, for example. Go ahead and look that one up. I’ll wait.
Now, with that in mind, let’s look at our pick for this week. It’s a 1974 Sterling, a canopy roof kit car that first popped onto my radar when I found this V8-swapped monster five years ago. Based on a Volkswagen pan, Sterlings certainly look early 1970s exotica but like most Volkswagen-based builds, shouldn’t be too hard on the pocketbook. The natural question should be, how far do you want to go with it? I’d leave the VW components to typical VW tuning ideas, get those wheels cleaned up back to their alloy finish, and drive the snot out of it. Okay, let someone drive the snot out of it. From what I’ve heard, Sterlings aren’t too friendly for tall folk…
The Stutz was based on Olds running gear, so no problem there. The 2-door Stutz came out a decade before, and to my stupid adolescent mind, was pretty cool. This heap could be a fun toy! V-Dub engines CAN be built to KILL!
I would swap the VW mill for one out of a Subaru WRX . Should be silly fast.
Count me in…I like it!!
I remember them as a kid living in Fremont, my dad took us to the factory and we toured it.
It looks remarkably similar to the Nova which was from the UK – now it just needs that WRX swap to make it fly.