STERLING Automotive

STERLING Automotive have been VW specialists for twenty five years and many enthusiasts will remember us from the heady heydays of the VW scene in the 80's and 90's when we developed a relationship with the whole air cooled community, from restorers of 1950's classics, though to the VWDRC as well as with custom and speed freaks. We had a high profile at many of the shows and meetings.

We have enjoyed national recognition for producing some of the nicest cars. We restored older Beetles, lowered newer ones and converted a number Karmann cabriolets from left to right hand drive. We also have a huge level of experience and knowledge of campers, having restored and fitted them out and we have kept numerous legends alive with a bit of cost effective first aid.

Whilst we no longer focus exclusively on air cooled technology, we've never gone anywhere and are as keen to maintain our excellent reputation within the rear engine community as we have ever been.

If you're new to the scene, we can to look after you the way we always have your peers. The list of what we can do for you is almost without limit but includes:

MOT repairs

Welding

Lowering

Engine rebuilding, tuning and fault finding

Fitting of clutches, shock absorbers, brake components, exhaust systems etc

Mechanical servicing

Suspension maintenance

Restoration

Safety checks

Car purchase inspections

Repainting

Anything you want!

We enjoy the custom scene as well as our mainstream resto work. One of the more interesting things we did was create the 'Outrage us' gullwing Beetle which was built as a stable mate to the 'Outrage 2' funny car which held the world speed record for a Beetle bodied funny car. As well as the obvious changes like the roofchop and gullwing doors, there are dozens of clever and amusing smaller modifications including various cut out's like the speedo and the indicators that have been recessed into beetle shaped holes.

Paintwork features yellow pearlescence over a pink base colour to the rear and voilet pearlescence over a metalic silver base on the front. The two halves are separated by a "torn paper" effect white stripe, just like it's big brother. The trick paint theme is carried through to the inside the car and could be seen running through the 6 point roll cage and the engine tinware. Just because it's functional, doesn't mean it can't be pretty!

We produced plenty of other trick paint jobs such as a stylish repaint of Keith Seume's "No Mercey" and some flip tone / pearlescent paints and even one that had strong red metal flake over a metallic blue base. Sounded tacky to us but we tried it anyway and it actually looked really nice.

Water cooled stuff like golfs and New Beetles are very much our thing these days as well. So if you are looking for a place to have your front engined pride and joy maintained, restored or customised, give us a ring and we will gladly talk about your requirements, no matter how large or small the job might be.

We are happy to help in any way we can, including carrying out restoration work or to support VW owners with their own projects. check out the 'restoration' link at the top of the page to see our latest project as it progresses.

Above all - We still care!