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This video is from way back in 2012 but I recently came upon it and just had to share because of how rare it is. Here we have probably the only video I'm aware of of an actual Sterling GT. What's more, it's a complete, running car. How very cool!
As a quick refresher for everybody, the Sterling GT is an actual factory model of the Sterling. Very few were made (I've heard estimates from three to seven.) The true GT's hood, wheel wells, canopy, and engine compartment/rear bumper are a little different than the classic Sterling. Over the years I've seen lots and lots of folks ad "GT" to their Sterling just to kind of...I dunno...highlight the fact that it is a sports car. But the reality is that doing so isn't accurate. The true GT is rare among the rare.
When watching the video, look for the following features:
1) The lower side-scoop looks like it's a little higher on the body than on the Classic Sterling. In actuality, the entire body was raised a little to gain headroom and then the rocker panel below the scoop was made taller to hide that change (and to hide the lowered floor boards, too, which was always a cosmetic oversight.)
2) The upper side scoops are more rectangular and forward-facing than those on the Classic.
3) The front and rear wheel wells are more round/enclosed compared to the Classic Sterling who's wheel wells have that that scalloped "corner of the eye" look to them.
4) The rear of the car is about three inches longer, and if you look closely, you can tell how they did it; the top line of the rear (the line above the name plate) is identical to the Sterling Classic but then it slants down and REARWARD as it approaches the tail lights. (That panel is much more upright in the Classic.) Obviously the tail lights are different than in the Classic and wrap onto the side a little. (Tail lights in the Sebring II do this as well, albeit using tail lights from a different donor, but the Sebring isn't a true model of the Sterling, rather a spin-off.)
5) The rear louvers are one panel longer, and the engine cut-out is much wider and deeper for better access.
6) This one is subtle but the canopy is just a tiny little bit different. The angle of the windshield is about 1-2 degrees less raked and the borders fit really nicely. Look at the gaps; they are almost nonexistent.
7) The hood, headlights, and front turn signals are different than the Classic but are actually pretty much identical to those from the other rare variant called the Sovran. Some styling cues on the Sovran were odd (...I'm looking at you, weird wheel wells!) but the hood and headlights were tasteful and therefore made their way to the GT.
8) Similarly, the GT has the nice wrap-around dash that was introduced in the Sovran.
This is a true GT folks. Your chances of spotting Bigfoot are better.
Are all of the changes good?? Well that's always in the eye of the beholder.
I like the canopy and dash, and I think the headlights and hood are a worthy variation. I'm very neutral on the enclosed wheel wells. They're fine. The butt looks...long. But some people like long butts.
This video is from way back in 2012 but I recently came upon it and just had to share because of how rare it is. Here we have probably the only video I'm aware of of an actual Sterling GT. What's more, it's a complete, running car. How very cool!
As a quick refresher for everybody, the Sterling GT is an actual factory model of the Sterling. Very few were made (I've heard estimates from three to seven.) The true GT's hood, wheel wells, canopy, and engine compartment/rear bumper are a little different than the classic Sterling. Over the years I've seen lots and lots of folks ad "GT" to their Sterling just to kind of...I dunno...highlight the fact that it is a sports car. But the reality is that doing so isn't accurate. The true GT is rare among the rare.
When watching the video, look for the following features:
1) The lower side-scoop looks like it's a little higher on the body than on the Classic Sterling. In actuality, the entire body was raised a little to gain headroom and then the rocker panel below the scoop was made taller to hide that change (and to hide the lowered floor boards, too, which was always a cosmetic oversight.)
2) The upper side scoops are more rectangular and forward-facing than those on the Classic.
3) The front and rear wheel wells are more round/enclosed compared to the Classic Sterling who's wheel wells have that that scalloped "corner of the eye" look to them.
4) The rear of the car is about three inches longer, and if you look closely, you can tell how they did it; the top line of the rear (the line above the name plate) is identical to the Sterling Classic but then it slants down and REARWARD as it approaches the tail lights. (That panel is much more upright in the Classic.) Obviously the tail lights are different than in the Classic and wrap onto the side a little. (Tail lights in the Sebring II do this as well, albeit using tail lights from a different donor, but the Sebring isn't a true model of the Sterling, rather a spin-off.)
5) The rear louvers are one panel longer, and the engine cut-out is much wider and deeper for better access.
6) This one is subtle but the canopy is just a tiny little bit different. The angle of the windshield is about 1-2 degrees less raked and the borders fit really nicely. Look at the gaps; they are almost nonexistent.
7) The hood, headlights, and front turn signals are different than the Classic but are actually pretty much identical to those from the other rare variant called the Sovran. Some styling cues on the Sovran were odd (...I'm looking at you, weird wheel wells!) but the hood and headlights were tasteful and therefore made their way to the GT.
8) Similarly, the GT has the nice wrap-around dash that was introduced in the Sovran.
This is a true GT folks. Your chances of spotting Bigfoot are better.
Are all of the changes good?? Well that's always in the eye of the beholder.
I like the canopy and dash, and I think the headlights and hood are a worthy variation. I'm very neutral on the enclosed wheel wells. They're fine. The butt looks...long. But some people like long butts.
