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Finally got mine after 40+ years.

frodoz737

frodoz737

Member
Hi all,

Been up all night, so please bear with me.

You regulars here might recognize me as the new guy looking to buy...but how many times have you seen one of those...right? Anyway, I just took delivery of a Cimbria SS most of you have seen, opinionated and talked about...and wouldn't you know...it had to rain today. Here are the links to refresh you about which one until I can get some shots in her new home.

http://www.sterlingkitcars.com/members_n_forums/cars-parts-sale/1562-custom-cimbria.html
http://www.sterlingkitcars.com/memb...iper-2000-possible-prototype-concept-car.html
http://www.sterlingkitcars.com/members_n_forums/blogs/mnickelaway/234-neria-found-sale.html

The beauty of the Sterling (and her variants) had me in 1975 and was locked in 1977 when I visited CCC in San Lorenzo, and actually rode in Cecil's Mazda powered 4 holer. The one thing I did not like about them though was the VW. It was a person thing...as it should be...not a judgement. Over the years I have kept up with them more than even some here, talking to the gentleman at Solid Sterling, the folks at Amore, and even the Son at Nereia, but never bought one because...well...life just got in the way with priorities.

So for a brief update on this car, researched and confirmed prior to purchase. The frame is the Toronado Automatic GT Stage III/Custom from Mid Engineering Inc. http://www.sterlingkitcars.com/memb...pecial-thanks-jls-kelmark-forum-new-post.html There was a reason for that thread yesterday...;). Confirmed it has a rebuilt 455ci Olds and THM425 trans. The rear suspension is the Corvette style and the front using their arms with Chevette spindles. Not sure about the steering yet, but it's definitely GM factory, 4-wheel discs...and even A/C. The build quality of this vehicle is amazing.

This car has not been driven for many years and has passed through a few flippers, so a minimum systematic shake down, servicing, ring out and some overhaul will happen before I fire it up again and try it on the road. The engine was fired up briefly before I committed to the sale...and she purred like a kitten...a really big one.

So there you have it for now. I look forward to many conversations in the near future. By the way, thank you all for your help so far, whether you knew it or not...especially you Fuzz.

frodoz737

P.S. - For the record this vehicle has been listed from $12,000 OBO to $34,000. Let's just say OBO won this time. *thumbs up* Bed time now.
 
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Fuzz

Fuzz

Member
Wow! This is awesome news. Good for you Craig. I love the fact you bought this "toy." You will not regret it; just be patient with the car. Never give up on it. You will get more than one sore knuckle over the years, but it's well worth it. Enjoy it and drive sensibly please. And as I said before, never hesitate to contact one of us and ask for help. Everyone is all too happy to lend a hand or an idea.

I hope to see you and your new car in the near future.

Fuzz
 
letterman7

letterman7

Honorary Admin
Wow - I'm glad to see that someone with sense bought the car and has the opportunity to show it off and enjoy it the way it was meant to be enjoyed. Post up some photos with someone parked in the driver's seat... I think more than one of us wants to see exactly how intrusive that massive engine is into the compartment!

Be careful and enjoy the ride!
 
frodoz737

frodoz737

Member
Here's the driveway shot this morning in the rain.
 

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letterman7

letterman7

Honorary Admin
I would be very curious if there is any Neria connection with this car at all. Personally, I don't think there is, but it was, at one point, advertised as such. If you can find some sort of stamp or placard from a manufacturer, that would be quite interesting.
 
frodoz737

frodoz737

Member
I can put that to rest...this is not a Nereia body which reportedly started in 1991. The photos in the build book are dated 04-05-1988 to 04-20-1993 with both a virgin body and virgin chassis (still wrapped in shipping plastic) in the beginning. Still not sure the mfg date of the body and/or chassis, but indications are 1983 for one of them based on the 14 digit VIN assigned in CA. In fact the "VIN" data tag on dash is made by Mid Engineering. This car literally is Titled as a stand alone 1969 Cimbria because of the drivetrain. I even have the Engine VIN tag and the CA required receipt that the drive train actually came out of a 1969 Olds Toronado. Just finished texting with the seller and he is going to try and get me in touch with previous owner/s so I can try to save any history before it is lost. Just looked up the part number for the extra door struts included and they go to a SAAB 900/99. According to the Cimbria SS build manual, they used VW Rabbit struts. Will give them a try first.
 
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frodoz737

frodoz737

Member
Another observation...the builder installed a parking brake pedal with T-handle pull release under dash, right next to the front hood release T-handle...and they look factory production. What they came out of I do not know, but no brake handle on the center console is a GOOD think.

Anyone have good s/w for "Auto" resizing photos to fit on this site. Doing it using "Paint" manually is a pain.
 
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frodoz737

frodoz737

Member
Thanks kruzer52.

Fuzz,

Where did you get those "door actuators"? Thought I found another vehicle with them, but it was your car before the paint job. Also, how do you get them open when/if you loose battery power. For security purposes, PM the later. My vehicle uses the gas struts with remote operated solenoid locks, but does have a secured "oh crap" for power loss.

Thanks.
 
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letterman7

letterman7

Honorary Admin
Photo resizing... yes, this site has major issues with photo hosting. I suggest folks use an off-site photo hosting site, like Photobucket or Imgur and simply link the photos within the text of their posts.
 
frodoz737

frodoz737

Member
Thanks, copying links works, but folks like pictures up front. I'll come up with something quicker.

...and for the first bit of bad news (you knew it was coming). The A/C compressor is a Saden SD508...which means it probably uses R12 refrigerant. *explitive rant* Also found a very small coolant leak at the front face left head/intake gasket...which is this satin finish Edelbrock Torker 455.

Intake Manifolds - Oldsmobile - Big-Block - Torker Series - Edelbrock, LLC.
 
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ratrog64

ratrog64

Well-known member
Really not fair that you have something that is already pretty close to drive able. I was hoping to see some action on the builders journal with another cool project.

I guess I too had something that was pretty close to drive able .... screwed that one up didn't I *insane*. 2 years later and I finally see light at the end of the tunnel.
 
frodoz737

frodoz737

Member
Not so fast rarog64.

At this point it's likely I will be removing the body. Not to tear it up and change it like history reflects so many do, but to correct, repair and restore. Money has been put aside for this.

Still in the early audit stages, but the current coil-overs are definitely on the hit list. Suspension "Gurus" with 4-corner scales have already been arranged. The environmentals definitely need a redo and at minimum I need to replace the "vacuum" operated booster in the brake system. Have all info for removing Beetle bodies and both manuals for Cimbria installation (and Sterling), but this custom will require a little more poking. The good news here is the dash plus support assembly, pedals, all fluid lines, cables and steering column are all mounted to the chassis...completely separate of the body. A few wires, some lower interior panels, rug, "all" the bolts, possibly the exhaust and a couple of helpers should do the trick. As nice as everything is, between storage and flipper movement, a ding/crease has resulted under the drivers side transition and a enough chips and scrapes have accumulated to warrant a paint job. Also if you look back at the published pictures in the adds, the wiper motor was mounted in front of the driver, not centered as it should be (who knows why)...so more holes.

Still haven't thoroughly checked out the 2 spare windshields yet either Fuzz...which I still suspect are Sterling.

Give me time. A lot of planning did, has and will go into this...but just like work...I make gate. However, just like work, it takes a team. So I will listen to any and all advice you folks have.

Craig
 
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ratrog64

ratrog64

Well-known member
If the 2 spare windshields are Sterling ... I'm interested!

Ok, so maybe you have a little work to do ... *rock on*

frodoz737 said:
Not so fast rarog64. At this point it's likely I will be removing the body. Not to tear it up and change it like history reflects so many do, but to correct, repair and restore. Money has been put aside for this.

Still in the early audit stages, but the current coil-overs are definitely on the hit list. Suspension "Gurus" with 4-corner scales have already been arranged The environmentals definitely need a redo and at minimum I need to replace the "vacuum" operated brake booster. Have all info for removing Beetle bodies and both manuals for Cimbria installation (and Sterling), but this custom will require a little more poking. The good news here is the dash and support assembly, pedals and steering column are all mounted to the chassis...completely separate of the body. A few wires, some lower interior panels, rug, "all" the bolts, possibly the exhaust and a couple of helpers should do the trick. As nice as everything is, between storage and flipper movement, a ding/crease has resulted under the drivers side transition and a enough chips and scrapes have accumulated to warrant a paint job. Also if you look back at the published pictures in the adds, the wiper motor was mounted in front of the driver, not centered as it should be (who knows why)...so more holes.

Still haven't thoroughly checked out the 2 spare windshields yet either Fuzz...which I still suspect are Sterling.

Give me time. A lot of planning did, has and will go into this...but just like work...I make gate.
Click to expand...
 
frodoz737

frodoz737

Member
Sorry for the last minute edit. If they are Sterling, I'll be a lot cheaper than Dave...and I can put that toward the Cimbria glass...which I do need. By the way, the damage was from impact...as it relates to discussions prompted by a thread I linked in post #1.
 
S

sector

Member
Congrats. I was also entertaining to purchase that beast for my father but every time it was flipped it seemed like it was moving farther away from me and I wasn't going to purchase it without inspecting it in person. I learned that lesson the hard way. Please share photos and perhaps make the video and post it on YouTube prior to any major disassembly because we all know how that quick update turns into never ending 2 year complete overhaul.
 
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