Production began in San Lorenzo, California in 1973. A set of plugs was sent over shortly afterwards to start the mold process, and not long after California Component Cars was born. Oakes and Sayers really did not want to expand their business, but Cecil’s winning salesman’s technique ruled the day, and Cecil and Norm were able to bring home a single Nova. Cecil and Norm were friends and on one of his (Cecil) trips to the UK he saw the Nova and told Norm about it on the return. ![]() Cecil was an extremely successful salesman of, all things – tile – with connections spanning the globe. Norm operated a repair shop in northern California along with his brother, Neal. Several of those interested visited the UK, but the two that seemed the most adventurous were Norm Rose and Cecil Robertson. The response to this article was overwhelming, and Richard Oakes and Phil Sayers, the designers of the Nova in the UK, were inundated with letters from the USA, including over a thousand people that wanted dealerships. It is also listed in the National Sterling Registry.The first site of the Nova in the USA was when the 1973 issue of Car & Driver hit the newsstands. The car is accompanied with documentation including wiring diagrams and build info, a Sterling manual, and a CD-ROM of additional information. Leaks and fluid accumulation are similarly absent as pictured here and in the gallery. The fuel tank has a minor leak that presents only when fully fueled, and the fuel sending unit is also noted to have a few ‘dead spots’ that infrequently manifest. Underside pictures are not comprehensive, but show no evidence of serious corrosion around the exhaust or suspension mounting points. The seller noted that the car was last serviced in 2014, and has been driven 200 miles since without issue. A dual glass-pack exhaust with heat risers has been fitted. The engine is a 1600cc air-cooled VW four-cylinder from 1973-74 (AH185534), roughly contemporary to the kit build, and mated to the stock VW 4-speed transmission. The seller notes that the oil pressure gauge is inoperative but monitors low oil level. The dash is a one-piece fiberglass unit, painted black, and shows scratches along the console and a large circular cut near the ignition. These currently wear cheap covers, and the underlying seats are pictured in the gallery below, with a large chunk missing from the driver’s seat back bolster. ![]() The interior features a lowered floorpan for additional headroom, and has been equipped with adjustable seats sourced from a NA Miata. ![]() The seller notes that side windows were never installed, but are still in production and available from Sterling, along with most other replacement parts. The cockpit glass looks to be clear, though the plastic headlight covers show light scratching over the repurposed Beetle headlights. The hydraulic canopy roof is a distinctive feature of the Sterling kits. The wheels are period 15″ alloys and with a 4-lug bolt pattern in the front, and 5-lug at the rear. Close-ups of the paint can be seen in the gallery. The passenger side exterior mirror is mounting holes and screws remain. Some stone chipping can be seen on the leading edge of the nose. Several scratches and chips were touched up by the museum staff in the past month but remain noticeable, particularly a quarter-sized flaw on the hood. The paint looks to be largely presentable with a slightly hazy but even sheen.
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