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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
editThe company was founded by Heinz Prechter in Los Angeles, California as the American Sunroof Company in 1965.[citation needed] 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.[citation needed]
Innovations
editIn the industry, ASC became well known for converting standard coupe automobiles into convertibles on an OEM basis.[citation needed] 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
editThe company changed its name from American Sunroof Company, 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 ASC ceased operations. Major manufacturing operations were sourced to other suppliers, mainly Toyota and FCA, effectively shutting down production operations.
Products
editRecent ASC concepts
edit- 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 (convertible concept car based on the third generation Suzuki Vitara)
Past ASC products
edit
- Ford Saleen Mustang "Sky Vu" (complete glass convertible conversion)
- ASC McLaren Capri (coupe and two-seat convertible)
- ASC McLaren Mustang two-seater
- Ford EXP
- BMW Z3 (OEM Convertible "Topstack" supplier to BMW SC plant
- BMW Z4 (OEM convertible hardware with Edscha Cabrio-Verdecksysteme)
- Buick GNX (high-performance turbocharger)
- Buick Reatta (convertible conversion)
- Chevrolet Camaro (convertible conversion)
- Chevrolet Corvette (convertible and removable hardtop)
- Chevrolet Cavalier (convertible conversion)
- Chevrolet SSR (convertible hardtop engineering)
- Chrysler 300C Helios (prototype convertible conversion)
- Chrysler Cordoba LS (simulated convertible conversion)
- Chrysler Executive
- Dodge Dakota (convertible conversion)
- Dodge Mirada CMX (simulated convertible conversion)
- Dodge Shadow (convertible conversion)
- Infiniti M (convertible conversion)
- Lincoln Continental Mark III (hardtop coupe metal sunroof addition)
- 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 [1])
- 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)
- Subaru XT (convertible prototype)
- Rover 800 coupe convertible prototype 1989-1990
- Toyota Camry Solara Convertible (convertible conversion)
- Toyota Celica (convertible conversion)
- Toyota Paseo (convertible conversion)
- Victress Car Company (C2 Coupe)
References
edit- ^ Long, Brian (May 2004). Nissan 300ZX and 350Z: The Z-Car Story. ISBN 9781904788041.
Notes
edit- "Supplier offers some sunny concepts". The Detroit News. 2006-01-08.[dead link] Possibly-related articles include:
- Lienert, Anna (January 8, 2006). "(Consumer's eye): Customizers can go wild at auto show". 2006 North American International Auto Show. The Detroit News and Free Press. Vol. 175, no. 249 (Metro ed.). Detroit, Michigan: Gannett. Special to The Detroit News. p. 13A. NewsBank 10F0F60B4717B450, 113E5C3A47F8F078, 113E5C3E326AA590, 10F0A0F0B92A0498 (newspaper name catalogued as "Detroit News, The (MI)"). Newspapers.com 363089446, 363086058 (newspaper name catalogued as "Detroit Free Press").
- Written at Detroit. "ASC (American Specialty Cars) Shows Off Capabilities in Design, Open Air, Performance Materials". Media Release: ASC Incorporated. AAP MediaNet Press Releases. [Sydney]: Australian Associated Press. /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/; source: ASC Incorporated. 9 January 2006. AAPMEDIA RELEASE PR21093. Factiva AAPMPR0020060108e2190002t.
- Written at Detroit. "AUTO PROTOTYPES...". Media Release: AsiaNet. AAP MediaNet Press Releases. Sydney: Australian Associated Press. /AsiaNet/. 9 January 2006. AAPMEDIA RELEASE PR21099AsiaNet Daily Summary. Factiva AAPMPR0020060109e219000b5.
- Krebs, Michelle (9 January 2006). "Suppliers unveil next tech : ASC Inc.: Concept evolution". Focus. Crain's Detroit Business. Vol. 22, no. 2. Crain Communications. p. 11. ISSN 0882-1992. EBSCOhost 19431395. Factiva CDET000020060112e21900017. Gale A140786588. ProQuest 212339609.
- Written at Southgate. "Carmaker looking to expand factory". The Detroit News. MI. January 18, 2006. NewsBank 10F398000BFE6388.
- "Historical Perspective". ASC Transportation and Industrial Design Services. ASC Global / American Specialty Cars. Archived from the original on 2013-01-17.