1952 Other Makes Sterling

797189

This auction is for a 1952 Sterling Stein. this is being relisted because the previous buyer did not have the funds to purchase this , please dont bid if you cant afford it , The car is titled as a 1952 Sterling by the state of wisconsin vin#797189. I found it in a climate controlled storage unit a few years ago, it had been there for over 20 years. After years of investigation, including articles in Hemmings Classic Cars and Reminesce Magazine, I discovered the Sterling was possibly a prototype and possibly the first of four cars built. The builder was a man named Pingel, who along with the financial backing of a man named Stein, were to start a line of all steel sports cars. Rumor has it that Stein bought the rights to Sterling Truck Company, which was failing, in 1952, hence the model name, and it was believed to be 1 of four being built under sterling truck company hence the sterling name . Records show sterling truck company ended in 1952 , hence the year . Did Stein have this car produced under title to sterling truck company to avoid what happened to Tucker ? Unfortunately, Mr. Pingel passed before the Stein went into production. I have had no luck tracking down the other three cars built by Pingel. Mr. Pingel was an exceptional artist. The body lines and the quality of workmanship are outstanding. Remember, this car is steel not fiberglass. I opened a new store last year and have not had any time to continue my research . All information I have will go with car. The car is rare, unique and possibly the only one left of a failed attempt to keep a failing american truck company alive. Only more research will tell for sure. The car was restored in the seventies after the body was found in the back of a bus . It is said to have had a 4 cyl engine and a three speed transmission. It was replaced with a ford 170 inline 6 cylinder engine and a c4 transmission, a ford 9" positraction rearend, taillights are volkswagon , headlites are early ford as are the bumpers (I believe), the interior is ford mustang also as you can see in the pics , the body is all steel construction it runs and drives, transmission front seal leaks after sitting. I replaced all brakes tuned it up , changed oils , had seats resewn and hand waxed car. I just pulled it back out of storage after 2 years its not even washed in pics but still shines. Through research I have found the person who restored car , a very elderly gentleman in wisconsin , where I was able to get a clean title for it .