Jim Grettner

Jim Grettner's Sterling Build Project blog

The targa top in action,

Part for your car.

Inspirations and ideas

Engine Transaxle options

2006 lamborghni Raptor

2007 SAAB

2005 Pininfarina Birdcage

more to add.. soon

We use all new parts when available

Color options

look at this 2007 Lamborghini Mura

Rim wheel ideas

Started 7/14/08

Jim here is your personal web page to follow your build. I will add pictures and update for you to follow the project. Feel free to comment on any details and let me know if there are images you would like me to add or remove.

Jim,

Let the fun begin, here one of your parts being pulled
from the mold. This is an example of how we build your
car.

Front under nose section, it goes way under too. (your actual part)

A top canopy on the stand to help us set the glass in.

Your seats parts and rear tunnel.

Neat gauge system at chetcocigital.com < http://chetcocigital.com > Company is in Oregon.

Classis VW chassis with performance upgrades

14" front, 15" rear wheels

15" front and rear, (Kym's car in Australia)

Front 205 60 R14" max size and Rear wider tire R14"

17" rims

Bug Chassis, along with the drop floor pans, 3" (4) wheel disk brakes and GM bolt pattern, we added adjustable ball Joint front beam to help you fit your rims / ride height.

We can powder coat the chassis in any color you would like. black, dark-dark grey, are most common or any

Cool links and parts to research

vgauge G12C ?

Tail Lights Led Series 84 triplr lights www.pplmotorhomes.com

What size condenser do they recommend? I can see they have many different sizes. A long short one would be good. The cars cabin is not very big to cool. You can have it fitted in the back with fans.
note of these two as options from:

11 X 19 Superflow R-134a Condenser is smallest should fit.
or
14 X 18 Remote Condenser W/ Fan & Aluminum Shroud is a Remote Serpentine Condenser with Aluminum fan shroud. Condenser is designed to go under the vehicle.??

AC Unit options

We are building a 2052 VW Engine for your Sterling. It is strong dependable and will give a you a great power range. Its around 135HP, will have dual carbs, upgraded oil system, and lots more, I will add more details soon. Do you want chrome or black shround and tins ont he motor?

Type-1 IRS Transaxle (upgraded) for the higher HP and torque range of the engine.

The engines we usualy do are just over the 100HP level and that is what we usually do for customers. You wanted something closer to 150 HP which will really make your Sterling roar....

New Targa top

Targa top mold getting gel coated before glass is added

Final part still in mold

7-10-08

Targa top 2 part construction July 24, 2008

Your chassis to start with. July 5 2008

All new metal on front section July 15 2008

All new floor pans July 18, 2008

Drop floor section added and adjustable front beam July 20 2008

(now its off to powdercoat.........)

July 2 2008

July 10

Front lights kit

Top hinge and hydraulic pump and line kit

Wire kit and fuse block and wiper kit

Rubber trim and glass

8/4/08 hot new coat

8/6/08 Your new 2052 VW engine and trans It should stil get 35 MPG.

Aug 10th Test fit drill panels, trim for chassis and engine fit.
Jim, I flip the body over to do the drill and test fit of the 4 bottom panels panels. Don't worry Jim you will not need to do this.

You will not need to remove the panels, you can use the rubber T shape molding to hide the seams or recomended fill them over for a clean look. Customers usually lostin the panels enough fo make a gap for sanding between the flange so it will accept a two part body work epoxy. The is the best way to permenently attach the panels before doing body work to fill them over.

Note: when fitting any panels You can put the fiberglass panels in the hot sun for a few hours to make them flexiblerecommendedpermanently to work with.

To fit your dual carb VW engine I trimmed the rear engine shroud to make room.

Targa top with roof panels all aligned, ready for windshield. (A new batch of glass arived today.)

Look close just under the side glass. There is a flange molded on to top panel for the window rubber. (classic Sterlings did not have this feature)

Ready to go to the chassis assembly shop where the chassis will be ready.

We test fit your engine to the trans/chassis

Next week we will have the body fitted to the chassis and adjust the suspension to acomodate your tire size and let you know the rim offset needed for that tires size.
(Let me know what type (style) of rim you would like to use.)

WOW Jim your going to love this chassis (Its got it all)

Jim, Note the air inlet tube from the top engine shroud into the tail pipe heat exchange. Then if you look at the other end of the muffle you will see and out let tube that blows the hot air out. This is where you can hook up your tube to the rest of the car. There is one on both sides of the motor.