How do I check my SN

[Sterling.GTx]

I found a chart showing the sterling years, model, and serial numbers. The chart gave you an indication of when and where the body was fabricated. I thought it was on this site but I can't seem to find it again. Does anybody know where this chart may be located or If you have a copy, share?

Thank you,
Richard
Sterling GT #419

 

[letterman7]

As far as I know there was never a chart. Years ago I tracked the serial numbers from owner to owner to provide some provenance, but gave that up since it became too difficult for new owners to contact me to update the info. Sterlings were built from late in the year 1973 through early 1980-ish in 3 variants. Only the first generation ('73-77) had serial numbers, from 0100 to about 0875, with alternate serial numbers starting with "S" and "B" (and occasionally others) coming from the midwest plant. Serial numbers were never consecutive, either... many cars had the same number and more than a few didn't make it into the sales lineup because they were *ahem* destroyed by the company workers playing with the cars in the lot..

Your #419 would have been late year-ish 1974. And yours isn't a GT.. it's just the first generation version.

 

[tycat05]

As far as I know there was never a chart. Years ago I tracked the serial numbers from owner to owner to provide some provenance, but gave that up since it became too difficult for new owners to contact me to update the info. Sterlings were built from late in the year 1973 through early 1980-ish in 3 variants. Only the first generation ('73-77) had serial numbers, from 0100 to about 0875, with alternate serial numbers starting with "S" and "B" (and occasionally others) coming from the midwest plant. Serial numbers were never consecutive, either... many cars had the same number and more than a few didn't make it into the sales lineup because they were *ahem* destroyed by the company workers playing with the cars in the lot..

Your #419 would have been late year-ish 1974. And yours isn't a GT.. it's just the first generation version.

I have a 1973 number on plates as 1400. Would this be considered as the 14th one that was built of the original model.

 

[letterman7]

I have a 1973 number on plates as 1400. Would this be considered as the 14th one that was built of the original model.

Take a photo. Not enough info. All serial numbers started with 0.

 

[tycat05]

Take a photo. Not enough info. All serial numbers started with 0.

 

[tycat05]

This was the plate that was on the car when I purchased.

 

[tycat05]

This also was written into fiberglass on the car

 

[tycat05]

Does anyone know what the 1400 means on the plate?

 

[letterman7]

Take a photo of the fiberglass area as well. That metal plate was never part of the Sterling/CCC manufacturing process. There was never a serial number that looked like that. All of this is somewhat irrelevant though if you've read my previous replies. And I misspoke - Midwest built cars seemed to start with a '0', Oakland built cars started with a '1'. I personally had car #14 off the line - the serial number was 114. The only photo I have of the data plate is poor, but it's attached here.

 

[tycat05]

Thank you.That was great to know.I will send a pic of fiberglass plate but it looks like it's been sanded over partially other half hard to read. Is there is there any other place on the body to confirm car?

 

[letterman7]

Nope, the only place is by the driver's dash. Maybe that's why your plate had been made and the previous owner was guessing at what it said.

 

[tycat05]

From doing research of pictures and the change that the vehicle went through. I do believe that this is a Sterling Nova original cast What is your thoughts on that? Looking at the picture?

 

[letterman7]

All of the original first generation cars were copies of the Nova. Sterling (California Component Cars) was a licensed producer of the Nova from England. So, yes, your car is a first generation Sterling with some body mods by a previous owner. Second generation cars looked vastly different as did the third generation. Second and third gen cars are extremely rare.

 

[tycat05]

Thank you for all your knowledge and information.
This. Also, do you happen to know where I could purchase the back small trunk over the engine?

 

[letterman7]

As mentioned in another thread, parts are still available through the company Sterling Sports Cars. Look for the poster 'farfegnubbin' and shoot him a PM. He's the owner of the company. You may find a used one from another member Unofun (Greg) as he has a stash on the northwestern coast in Oregon.

 

[tycat05]

Nope, the only place is by the driver's dash. Maybe that's why your plate had been made and the previous owner was guessing at what it said.

Here is a picture of the plate and the fiberglass.

 

[letterman7]

Oof. Yeah, not much to determine from that. It's definitely not 1400 though. Could be either 140 or 400, but the trailing '0' isn't in line with the rest.

 

[tycat05]

Yep not much at all. The world may never know. Lol thank you for your help.

 

[tycat05]

I believe the 1400. It's just a new registration number. It is on the title.

 

[letterman7]

The State just took what they could read. It can't be 1400 as there was only 800 cars built. That said, some cars were built with "custom" serial numbers requested by the ordering party, so there is that possibility. But none of those digits are in line with each other that would tell me it was officially stamped, and none of the serial numbers had "No-" before them. So.. owner added for whatever reason. Doesn't matter - looks like a nice car. Post up some photos of it!