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American Specialty Cars (commonly known as ASC or American Sunroof Company) was an automobile supplier of highly engineered and designed roof systems, body systems and other specialty-vehicle systems for the world’s automakers. The company was headquartered in Warren, Michigan, in the United States and was one of several coach convertible builders. ASC sold assets to its Creative Services division in late 2016 to Roush Industries. In late June 2017, ASC effectively ceased operations, laying off all staff and had tooling and production equipment removed from the manufacturing plant in Lexington, Kentucky.

Founding

The company was founded by Heinz Prechter in Los Angeles, California as the American Sunroof Company in 1965. In 2004, the aftermarket sunroof business was sold to Inalfa, and the company changed its name from American Sunroof Company to American Specialty Cars, with a "new emphasis on handling design, engineering and manufacturing of low-volume niche vehicles".

All employees were terminated June 27, 2017 and ASC ceased operations. Major manufacturing operations were sourced to other suppliers, mainly Toyota and FCA, effectively shutting down production operations.

Products

In 1983 the Ford Flair ASC Concept was presented, built by AMC.

The first generation Saab 900 cabriolet was developed by ASC and first unveiled as a 1983 concept car.

In 1984 ASC built and marketed the ASC McLaren, a convertible version of the Mercury Capri, licensing the McLaren brand. This was followed by an ASC/McLaren Mustang convertible. and an ASC/McLaren Pontiac Turbo Grand Prix

From 1989, ASC manufactured the Porsche 944 Cabriolet at its factory in Weinsberg, Germany.

In 1986, ASC build prototypes of a Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 convertible.

In 1993 ASC created a Cadillac Seville Coupe concept car.

In 1994 ASC and Heuliez built a prototype for a Citroen ZX convertible.

In 2004 ASC unveiled the Helios concept, a four-door convertible version of the Chrysler 300C.

References

1. Murphy, Tom (January 4, 2004). "ASC New Name is American Specialty Cars". Ward's. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
2. Magazines, Hearst (December 1982). Popular Mechanics. Hearst Magazines.
3. Aničić, Goran (2021-06-29). "How The Cult Convertible 900 Was Born". Retrieved 2024-12-21.
4. Bell, Matt (2019-04-30). "CLASSIC ROAD TEST – SAAB 900 TURBO". Classics World. Retrieved 2024-12-21.
5. "De Vluchtstrook: het Amerikaanse uitstapje van McLaren".
6. Long, Brian (2011-11-18). Porsche 944. David and Charles. ISBN 978-1-84584-476-9.
7. Magazines, Hearst (May 1993). Popular Mechanics. Hearst Magazines.
8. Cole, Lance (2014-03-31). Citroen: The Complete Story. Crowood. ISBN 978-1-84797-660-4.
9. "ASC Helios 4-door Convertible". MotorTrend. 2005-01-10. Archived from the original on 2024-03-25. Retrieved 2024-12-21.

External links

• American Sunroof Corporation (West Coast) (archived website)

• Companies based in Wayne County, Michigan
• Defunct motor vehicle manufacturers of the United States
• Coachbuilders of the United States
• Convertible top suppliers
• Contract vehicle manufacturers
• American companies established in 1965
• Defunct manufacturing companies based in Michigan