American Specialty Cars
American Specialty Cars was a U.S. automotive engineering and specialty-vehicle supplier known for roof systems, convertible conversions, body systems, and low-volume vehicle development.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
American Specialty Cars, commonly known as ASC, was an American automotive engineering, design, conversion, and manufacturing company. Founded in Los Angeles in 1965 by Heinz Prechter as the American Sunroof Company, it initially built its reputation through sunroof and roof-system work. Over time, the company developed into a broader specialty-vehicle supplier serving automobile manufacturers and other automotive programs. Its capabilities included engineered roof systems, body systems, convertible conversions, prototype construction, low-volume vehicle production, and related design and manufacturing services. ASC occupied a position between an automotive supplier, a coachbuilder, and an engineering partner. Rather than functioning primarily as a conventional consumer car marque, it generally worked on derivative versions of production vehicles, concept cars, and niche vehicle programs for established automakers. Its projects included convertible versions of vehicles from Ford, Mercury, Saab, Pontiac, Porsche, Chrysler, and other manufacturers. Some programs were produced in limited quantities, while others remained concepts or prototypes intended to demonstrate technical and styling possibilities. A significant change came in 1984, when ASC built and marketed the ASC McLaren convertible, a modified version of the Mercury Capri produced under license from McLaren. The company also participated in the development of an ASC/McLaren Mustang convertible and an ASC/McLaren Pontiac Turbo Grand Prix. Its engineering work extended beyond American vehicles. ASC was involved in the development of the first-generation Saab 900 cabriolet, manufactured the Porsche 944 Cabriolet at its Weinsberg, Germany, facility from 1989, and collaborated with French coachbuilder Heuliez on a Citroën ZX convertible prototype. In 2004, ASC sold its aftermarket sunroof business to Inalfa. Following that transaction, the company changed its name from American Sunroof Company to American Specialty Cars, reflecting a strategic emphasis on design, engineering, and manufacturing for low-volume niche vehicles rather than its earlier aftermarket sunroof identity. The company continued to present specialty systems and vehicle concepts, including the Helios concept, a four-door convertible interpretation of the Chrysler 300C, unveiled in 2004. ASC later encountered financial difficulties. Much of its specialty equipment was sold in 2014, indicating a substantial contraction of its operating capabilities. In late 2016, assets connected with its Creative Services division were sold to Roush Industries. By late June 2017, ASC had effectively ceased operations: all employees were laid off, and tooling and production equipment were removed from its manufacturing plant in Lexington, Kentucky. The available record therefore presents ASC as a historically important specialty automotive engineering and conversion company whose activities helped automakers develop unusual body styles and low-volume derivatives, but which no longer operates as an independent business.
History
American Specialty Cars began in Los Angeles in 1965, when Heinz Prechter founded the American Sunroof Company. The early business centered on sunroofs and related roof technologies, placing the company within the specialist automotive-conversion sector rather than the mainstream vehicle-manufacturing industry. Its work was directed toward automakers and vehicle programs that required engineering or production capabilities outside the normal scope of a large-volume assembly plant. During the following decades, the company broadened its role. ASC developed and manufactured roof systems, body systems, and other specialty-vehicle components, while also engineering convertible derivatives, prototypes, and low-volume vehicles. Its projects included the Ford Flair ASC Concept, shown in 1983, and the first-generation Saab 900 cabriolet, which ASC developed and first presented as a concept in the same year. In 1984, the company built and marketed the ASC McLaren, a convertible derivative of the Mercury Capri produced under license from McLaren. Further ASC/McLaren projects included a Mustang convertible and a Pontiac Turbo Grand Prix. These programs helped establish ASC as a visible participant in the development of specialist versions of mainstream vehicles. ASC also used concept vehicles to demonstrate alternative roof and body technologies. Its 1984 Vision concept featured a glass roof with a semicircular sunroof designed to drop down and rotate beneath the roof glass. In 1989, ASC began manufacturing the Porsche 944 Cabriolet at its facility in Weinsberg, Germany. Other international activities included work on a Citroën ZX convertible prototype with Heuliez in 1994. The company also created a Cadillac Seville coupe concept in 1993. The business changed direction in 2004. ASC sold its aftermarket sunroof business to Inalfa and changed its name from American Sunroof Company to American Specialty Cars. The new name and strategy emphasized handling, design, engineering, and manufacturing for low-volume niche vehicles. That phase included the Helios concept, unveiled in 2004 as a four-door convertible interpretation of the Chrysler 300C. The project illustrated ASC's continuing interest in unusual body configurations and manufacturer-oriented design studies. ASC subsequently experienced financial difficulties. In 2014, much of its specialty equipment was sold, reducing the company's physical capabilities. In late 2016, assets from its Creative Services division were sold to Roush Industries. The remaining business did not recover as an independent operation. By late June 2017, all employees had been terminated, and tooling and production equipment were removed from the Lexington, Kentucky, manufacturing plant. ASC therefore ended as a specialist automotive supplier and coachbuilding organization, leaving behind a portfolio of roof technologies, convertible programs, concept vehicles, and low-volume production projects developed for international automakers.
- 2017
Operations end
[1]ASC terminated all employees and removed tooling and production equipment from its Lexington plant, effectively ending operations.
- 2016
Creative Services assets are sold to Roush Industries
[1]Assets from ASC's Creative Services division were sold to Roush Industries in late 2016.
- 2014
Specialty equipment is sold
[1]The company sold much of its specialty equipment during a period of financial difficulty.
- 2004
Sunroof business divested and company renamed
[1]ASC sold its aftermarket sunroof business to Inalfa and adopted the American Specialty Cars name, emphasizing niche vehicle engineering and manufacturing.
- 2004
Helios concept unveiled
[1]ASC unveiled the Helios, a four-door convertible concept based on the Chrysler 300C.
- 1994
Citroën ZX convertible prototype
[1]ASC and Heuliez built a prototype for a Citroën ZX convertible.
- 1993
Cadillac Seville coupe concept
[1]ASC created a Cadillac Seville coupe concept as part of its design and prototype activities.
- 1989
Porsche 944 Cabriolet production begins at Weinsberg
[1]ASC manufactured the Porsche 944 Cabriolet at its Weinsberg, Germany, facility.
- 1984
ASC McLaren convertible program
[1]ASC built and marketed the ASC McLaren, a licensed convertible version of the Mercury Capri, and subsequently worked on additional ASC/McLaren projects.
- 1984
Vision roof concept is created
[1]ASC developed the Vision concept, featuring a glass roof and a rotating semicircular sunroof mechanism.
Products and positioning
Specialist automotive engineering, coachbuilding, roof-system, body-conversion, prototype, and low-volume manufacturing partner for automobile manufacturers.
automotive systems · 1965
Automotive roof and sunroof systems
Roof systems were the foundation of ASC's business. The company began with sunroof work and later supplied highly engineered roof assemblies and mechanisms for automakers. Its capabilities included specialized glazing, moving roof structures, and integration of non-standard roof designs into production or prototype vehicles. The aftermarket sunroof operation was sold to Inalfa in 2004.
automotive conversion
Convertible conversions
ASC converted production vehicles into convertibles and developed the structural, body, roof, and manufacturing solutions required for open-top derivatives. Its work covered both concept development and limited-volume production, allowing established automakers to explore body styles that were not practical for their regular assembly operations.
limited-production convertible · 1984
ASC McLaren
The ASC McLaren was a convertible version of the Mercury Capri that ASC built and marketed in 1984 under license from McLaren. The program represented the company's move beyond component supply into branded, low-volume specialty vehicles. ASC later participated in related ASC/McLaren programs involving the Ford Mustang and Pontiac Turbo Grand Prix.
convertible development · 1983
Saab 900 cabriolet
ASC developed the first-generation Saab 900 cabriolet and initially presented it as a 1983 concept. The project illustrates ASC's role as an engineering and coachbuilding partner for international automakers, particularly in adapting an existing production vehicle to an open-top body configuration.
convertible production · 1989
Porsche 944 Cabriolet
From 1989, ASC manufactured the Porsche 944 Cabriolet at its facility in Weinsberg, Germany. This was a low-volume production activity performed for an established sports-car manufacturer and reflected ASC's capability to execute specialized body and assembly work outside the United States.
concept vehicle · 2004
Helios concept
The Helios was unveiled by ASC in 2004 as a four-door convertible interpretation of the Chrysler 300C. It served as a demonstration of ASC's design and engineering capabilities in unusual body formats rather than as a documented mass-production vehicle.
automotive engineering services
Specialty vehicle engineering services
ASC provided automakers with design, engineering, prototype construction, body-system development, and low-volume manufacturing support. These services addressed niche vehicle programs and derivative body styles that required specialist facilities, tooling, and expertise.
Brand decisions
2017
Wind-down of remaining operationsStrategyBackground
After asset sales and continuing financial difficulties, ASC no longer maintained a viable independent operating structure.
Action taken
All employees were terminated, and tooling and production equipment were removed from the Lexington, Kentucky, manufacturing plant.
Aftermath
ASC effectively ceased operations by late June 2017.
2016
Sale of Creative Services assets to Roush IndustriesM&ABackground
ASC was under financial pressure and had previously sold much of its specialty equipment.
Action taken
Assets associated with ASC's Creative Services division were sold to Roush Industries.
Aftermath
The transaction preceded ASC's effective shutdown and the termination of its remaining workforce in 2017.
2004
Shift from aftermarket sunroofs to specialty vehicle engineeringStrategyBackground
ASC's earlier identity was strongly associated with aftermarket sunroofs, while the company also possessed broader vehicle-design and manufacturing capabilities.
Action taken
The aftermarket sunroof business was sold to Inalfa, and the company changed its name from American Sunroof Company to American Specialty Cars.
Aftermath
The renamed company emphasized design, engineering, and manufacturing for low-volume niche vehicles, including concept and convertible programs.
Recent events
- 2017
ASC effectively ceases operations and terminates remaining employees[1]
Bankruptcy · Leadership change
By late June 2017, ASC had laid off all staff, and tooling and production equipment were removed from its Lexington, Kentucky, manufacturing facility. The company effectively ceased operations.
- 2016
Roush Industries acquires assets from ASC Creative Services[1]
M&A
In late 2016, assets associated with ASC's Creative Services division were sold to Roush Industries as the company moved toward the end of its independent operations.
- 2014
ASC sells specialty equipment amid financial difficulties[1]
Bankruptcy
ASC sold much of its specialty equipment as the company faced financial difficulties, reducing its available operating and manufacturing assets.
- 2004
ASC sells aftermarket sunroof business to Inalfa and adopts American Specialty Cars name[1]
M&A
The company sold its aftermarket sunroof business to Inalfa and changed its name from American Sunroof Company to American Specialty Cars. The rebranding accompanied a greater emphasis on design, engineering, and manufacturing for low-volume niche vehicles.
Sources1 sources
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