- American Specialty Cars
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 inSouthgate, Michigan , in theUnited States .Founding
The company was founded by
Heinz Prechter inLos Angeles, California as the American Sunroof Company in1965 .Fact|date=May 2008 The company soon expanded its operations into Detroit by1967 . The company first suppliedOEM services to theFord 1968 Cougar XR-7.Innovations
ASC invented the glass-panel "
moonroof ", both the inward- and outward-folding soft convertible tops, and modern retractable hardtops.Facts|date=May 2008 In the industry, ASC became well known for converting standardcoupe automobiles intoconvertible s on an OEM basis.Fact|date=May 2008 The company also engineers convertible tops for automakers to build themselves. Other original-equipment firsts for ASC include the mobile video system (on theChevrolet 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.Products
Recent ASC concepts
* ASC Cosmos
*ASC TriLite
*ASC Diamondback
*ASC-Suzuki WaveCurrent ASC products
*
Chrysler 300 C "Helios" (prototype convertible conversion)
*Mitsubishi Eclipse "Spyder" (convertible conversion)
*Toyota Camry Solara "Convertible" (convertible conversion)Past ASC products
*
ASC McLaren Capri (coupe and two-seat convertible)
*ASC McLaren Mustang two-seater
*Buick GNX (high-performanceturbocharger )
*Chevrolet Camaro (convertible conversion)
*Mitsubishi 3000GT "Spyder" (convertible conversion)
*Nissan 240SX (convertible conversion)
*Pontiac Firebird (convertible conversion)
*Pontiac Grand Prix "Turbo Grand Prix" (high-performanceturbocharger , body kit)
*Porsche 968 "Convertible" (convertible conversion)
* Saab 900 convertible prototype
*BMW Z4 (OEM convertible hardware withEdscha Cabrio-Verdecksysteme )
*Chevrolet SSR (convertible hardtop engineering
*Dodge SRT-4 (external modifications)
*Pontiac Grand Am "SC/T" (external modifications)
*Dodge Shadow Convertible
* GMC Syclone/Typhoon (high-performanceturbocharger , body kit, AWD)
*GM J Platform - (Chevrolet Cavalier and Pontiac Sunbird/Sunfire convertible conversion)References
* [http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060108/AUTO04/601080410/ Supplier offers some sunny concepts]
* [http://autos.msn.com/as/article.aspx?xml=ASC&shw=autoshow2004 ASC Is Now American Specialty Cars]External links
* [http://www.ascglobal.com ASC Incorporated.]
* [http://home.primus.ca/~triton/asc/ American Sunroof Corporation (West Coast)]
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