Yeah! A larger pole building....hmmm...I like how you think.
Oh, for the record, I'm 100% sure it's an SS model. You can identify one vs the other by the
dimensions of the door, but don't be mislead by the position of the door handle. Apparently some SS's had that big ugly handle in the middle (like mine), and some don't.
Here are scans from two Cimbria SS brochures showing that exact handle:
The original Cimbria had doors that were shorter (that only extended down about 2/3rds of the way down onto the body), door hinges that were out towards the edge of the roof, headlights that were behind drop DOWN doors, and usually a split panel glass hatch on the rear (although some SS's had that too).
The Cimbria SS -- including my car -- has the longer doors that extend all the way down to the rocker panels, pop UP headlights, door hinges that are in towards the middle of the roof more, and the louvered engine cover (which only showed up on the SS models).
(Here's a link to the Cimbria history page for more details/comparative photos: )
Mine is definitely an SS. But cool; you've provided me with an excellent excuse to post more photos!!
(Oh, and it has lettering and ID plates that indicate it's an SS.)
This particular SS does have some unique features that the builder added that are NOT classic Cimbria SS, though. Namely, the tail lights and rear valence have been substantially modified, and an after market spoiler has been added as well.
On the sides, the original builder (not the guy I bought it from) cut out the very attractive, stock Cimbria side scoops and apparently was on his way to adding some Countache-esque scoops. Not only did he not finish the thought, but he lost the original scoop on one side...and even if he had finished the job, I still think they look like ass. And not good ass.
I'm going to have to do something about those scoops.
From this side shot you can also see some high-mount mirrors kind of reminiscent of a Testarossa. I'm not sure whether I'm in love with how they look, but they definitely grab a few 'exotic' points, for better or worse. Tell you what, though...I sat in the car for a little that first night, and I could REALLY see out those mirrors!
And lastely, it has a fuel injected 3.0 liter Nissan V6 which is almost identical to the engine I've been grafting into my blue Sterling for the last umpteen million years. The engine alone was probably enough to win me over, not so much because there's anything particularly special about it, but just because I'm quite familiar with it. It was like an old friend staring back at be.
The interior is upholstered surprisingly well and is in great condition. Unfortunately, the color can only be described as HOLY-FRIGGIN-OHMYGOD
BLUE!!! It's nice...but it's not subtle. Not really sure what to do with that yet. The radio is missing. That's a shame. I bet it was a rocking 8-track!!
Most Cimbrias (both the original and the SS models) had a subtle, very angular-looking front bumper insert that looked a little like a Ferrari 308...well...kinda sorta. That stock bumper looks great on the car, though. This car had no front bumper insert and instead has a fairly large air scoop cut out. Not a bad idea overall considering that there's a nice big radiator up there for the water-cooled V6. (I'll take some under-the-hood shots when I can.)
I only really got to spend about 10 minutes with the car on its delivery day before I had to run on my other errands, so I didn't get to check it out very thoroughly yet. My first impressions are that it actually sits very comfortably. The radio and other controls are right where you want them to be. Similarly, that very diagonal-looking armrest is actually darn comfy! There is a very, very clever mechanism for quickly removing the side windows that I'm definitely gonna use on my other cars. (I'll get photos of that for next week.) Oh...and might I mention the mindboggling
blue-ness again?!
(Most blues go to "10." This blue goes to "11." (Homage to Spinal Tap, of course).)
Just like Rick warned me, though, it was a little hard to get in and out of. You have to do quite a contortionist act to get your right leg down and around that steering wheel! I think it will be markedly better after I get a spacer to move the Steering wheel a bout two inches further back towards me, though. We'll see.
Oh, and if you want a REALLY embarrasing and frustrating challenge, try getting out of a Cimbria that has bad door struts. They wouldn't stay open on their own, and you absolutely need both arms just to untangle yourself from the car. Thank goodness my girlfriend was there to hold the door open for me or I think I'd still be in roughly the same position, flapping that door open and closed like a duck on crack while trying to quickly roll out of the car and trying to avoid the giant hinged chopping mechanism like some obstacle in Super Mario Brothers.
And after the delivery, I made sure to properly introduce the Sterling and the Cimbria to each other. They sniffed butts. They're buds now.
Cimbria SS -- w/ Nissan 3.O liter
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It's rough. It's not currently running. It'll need a LOT of work. 
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