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American Specialty Cars (commonly known as ASC) is an automobile supplier of highly engineered and designed roof systems, body systems and other specialty-vehicle systems for the world’s automakers. The company is headquartered in Warren, Michigan, in the United States and was one of several coach convertible builders.
Founding
The company was founded by Heinz Prechter in Los Angeles, California as the American Sunroof Company in 1965. The company soon expanded its operations into Detroit by 1967. The company first supplied OEM services for the Ford Motor Company's 1968 Mercury Cougar XR-7.
Innovations
ASC invented the glass-panel "moonroof". In the industry, ASC became well known for converting standard coupe automobiles into convertibles on an OEM basis. The company also engineers convertible tops for automakers to build themselves. Other original-equipment firsts for ASC include the mobile video system (on the Chevrolet Venture) and the powered sunroof.
Currently
The company has since changed its name in 2004 to highlight its new corporate focus on being a complete specialty-vehicle development partner for the world’s automakers. All employees were terminated June 27, 2017 and ceased operations. Major manufacturing operations were sourced to other suppliers, mainly Toyota and FCA, effectively shutting down production operations.
Products
Recent ASC concepts
- ASC Jeep JL Bag Components
- ASC Toyota Tacoma Tonneau
- ASC RAM Tonneau
- ASC / MV-1 Ramp Systems
- ASC / Jeep Sky Slider
- ASC Cosmos
- ASC TriLite
- ASC Diamondback
- ASC-Suzuki Wave
Current ASC products
Past ASC products
- Chrysler 300C Helios (prototype convertible conversion)
- Toyota Camry Solara Convertible (convertible conversion)
- Ford Saleen Mustang "Sky Vu" (complete glass convertible conversion)
- ASC McLaren Capri (coupe and two-seat convertible)
- ASC McLaren Mustang two-seater
- BMW Z4 (OEM convertible hardware with Edscha Cabrio-Verdecksysteme)
- Buick GNX (high-performance turbocharger)
- Buick Reatta (convertible conversion)
- Chevrolet Camaro (convertible conversion)
- Chevrolet Cavalier (convertible conversion)
- Chevrolet SSR (convertible hardtop engineering)
- Chrysler Cordoba LS (simulated converible conversion)
- Chrysler Executive
- Dodge Dakota (convertible conversion)
- Dodge Mirada CMX (simulated convertible conversion)
- Dodge Shadow (convertible conversion)
- Infiniti M (convertible conversion)
- Mercury Cougar XR7-G (hardtop coupe metal sunroof addition)
- Mercury Motorsport Capri - body modifications
- Mitsubishi 3000GT Spyder (convertible conversion)
- Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder (convertible conversion)
- Nissan 240SX (convertible conversion)
- Nissan 300ZX (Z32) (convertible conversion )
- Pontiac Firebird (convertible and WS6 conversion)
- Pontiac Grand Am SC/T (external modifications)
- Pontiac Grand Prix Turbo Grand Prix (high-performance turbocharger, body kit)
- Pontiac Sunbird (convertible conversion)
- Pontiac Sunfire (convertible conversion)
- Porsche 944 Convertible (convertible conversion)
- Porsche 968 Convertible (convertible conversion)
- Saab 900 (convertible prototype)
- Toyota Celica (convertible conversion)
- Toyota Paseo (convertible conversion)