ydeardorff
New member
Im curious what the differences are between the puma, and the sterling. The video was of a black pum, so that hides alot of detail especially in a low res video on you tube.
PUMA GTV vs SEBRING
- Thread starter ydeardorff
- Start date
letterman7
Honorary Admin
Puma's are essentially the same thing as the Nova, just rebranded. The video car looks like it has some body modifications such as the rear wheel well arches. Too little info to go by!
letterman7
Honorary Admin
Yup. Just a rebranded Nova. I think some of them did have a hinge on the front of the canopy - good memory Ken!
ydeardorff
New member
Maybe its just the angle of the photos Ive seen, but I like the fat fendered look of it. it looks like it has a very curvacious look.
Again, it may have only been the photos, but the nova looks like its nose is shorter, than the sterling. It also doesnt look as low slung either.
Again, it may have only been the photos, but the nova looks like its nose is shorter, than the sterling. It also doesnt look as low slung either.
letterman7
Honorary Admin
Each manufacturer did their own little take on the molds. Putting them all side by side might reveal some suprising differences!
Yes, the rule definitely seems to be for each of the manufacturers to have added their own touches over the years.
But for anyone new to the breed, please know that the original Nova, Sterling, and Eureka main bodies are EXACT copies of one another. For the Puma, I can't say for sure. But for the record, the Nova and Sterling bodies are identical. (Later Novas had a slightly taller canopy, but even then all of the fender profiles and outlines were identical to the Sterling.) If you think you see a difference, it is either an optical illusion or a builder customization.
But for anyone new to the breed, please know that the original Nova, Sterling, and Eureka main bodies are EXACT copies of one another. For the Puma, I can't say for sure. But for the record, the Nova and Sterling bodies are identical. (Later Novas had a slightly taller canopy, but even then all of the fender profiles and outlines were identical to the Sterling.) If you think you see a difference, it is either an optical illusion or a builder customization.
ydeardorff
New member
I have noticed many different variants on the sterling body. Typically the nose, and rear fenders.
What are the differences, and were their any versions to watch out for? liscensed companies that took the shortcuts we all have heard about?
What are the differences, and were their any versions to watch out for? liscensed companies that took the shortcuts we all have heard about?
letterman7
Honorary Admin
There are only two versions of the US Sterling - the "classic" model that almost everyone has and the GT, which was only produced one year, and only about 10 or so bodies were pulled. The GT has a larger rear haunch and cockpit and featured a monocoque body (floorpan was also fiberglass). See here for more info comparison study
Interior pieces could almost be mix and match, and there were options such as the hidden headlights and a full back hatch rather than the louvers. There were no US "replicas" made of the Sterling. The Sebring and Cimbria were derivitives, nothing more.
Interior pieces could almost be mix and match, and there were options such as the hidden headlights and a full back hatch rather than the louvers. There were no US "replicas" made of the Sterling. The Sebring and Cimbria were derivitives, nothing more.
There is a lot of good history on Rick's site (NationalSterling.org), Dave's site (SterlingSportsCars.com), and also here as well.
You've asked a lot of good questions about models and variants.
It's all here. Don't forget to explore all the nooks an crannies of this site. There's all kinds of good stuff hiding 'round here.
By reading the following four sections (and following Rick's link, too -- and check out his ABOUT section as well, found from his home page), you should have a very good feel for the history and evolution of the original car (Nova), it's legal variants (Sterling, Eureka, and Eagle South Africa), and the un-official US variants (Sebring and Cimbria) and the models of each of the above.
Nova kit car History/Models
Sterling kit car History/Models
Cimbria kit car History/Models
Sebring kit car Models
You've asked a lot of good questions about models and variants.
It's all here. Don't forget to explore all the nooks an crannies of this site. There's all kinds of good stuff hiding 'round here.
By reading the following four sections (and following Rick's link, too -- and check out his ABOUT section as well, found from his home page), you should have a very good feel for the history and evolution of the original car (Nova), it's legal variants (Sterling, Eureka, and Eagle South Africa), and the un-official US variants (Sebring and Cimbria) and the models of each of the above.
Nova kit car History/Models
Sterling kit car History/Models
Cimbria kit car History/Models
Sebring kit car Models
ydeardorff
New member
I find I like some feature of each car. especially the wide fendered benardi type models.
Oh god,... does that mean Ill be the next sterling "dealer" on the west coast? I might ned to buy the wife a ferrari to keep her happy. LOL
Oh god,... does that mean Ill be the next sterling "dealer" on the west coast? I might ned to buy the wife a ferrari to keep her happy. LOL