When it comes to aftermarket convertible conversions, the results are usually less than stellar. You’re talking about a car that the factory didn’t want to take the time to convert into a drop top, and then expecting an outfit with half the resources and far less tooling to somehow do it better? Well, in the case of the American Sunroof Company (ASC), the results weren’t half bad – and the 1985 Toyota Celica GT-S convertible listed here on Facebook Marketplace is one of the better examples of a non-factory convertible conversion ever made, in my bold opinion. The seller is asking $5,800 for this example, which he claims he doesn’t have enough time to enjoy.
We’ve seen prices swing wildly for this rare convertible model over the years, with some top-shelf examples clearing $10,000 or better. However, it’s a car that’s been wildly inconsistent in that regard, as the market is just too limited to form a clear baseline of value. The seller’s car is equipped with the optional automatic transmission, which isn’t necessarily a good thing, but even the 5-speed manual example takes well over 10 seconds to clear 60 miles per hour. The Celica of this generation had these awesome sport seats with inflatable lumbar support, and despite having a roof to exposes the interior to rampant sunlight, it remains in decent condition.
The seller mentions the fact that he’s an over-the-road trucker and has no time to enjoy this Celica, which clearly needs some love. The rear window is in tough shape, and I’m curious if, given the limited production nature of this vehicle, how hard it is to source a replacement top and/or window. Now, the good news is with ASC being such a predominant supplier of convertible conversions, there’s likely an upholstery shop out there with the resources to repair this top. The body work appears to be in good shape, and to my mind, there’s still no Japanese car out there that rocks white-letter radials better than an 80s Celica or Supra.
The Celica is powered by the venerable 2.4 liter 22R-E four-cylinder engine which is a bit wheezy in almost any application, but certainly in a heavy, automatic convertible. That being said, it wouldn’t stop me from wanting to own this car, as it’s more of a cruiser than anything else, and the engine is virtually unkillable with the occasional oil change and belt replacement. The listing doesn’t provide a ton of information, but given the seller discloses not having enough time to drive it, I’m guessing the Celica will need some deferred maintenance addressed – but fortunately, prices for parts remain quite affordable on a car like this. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Lothar for the find.
The guy that started ASC did modifications on Edsel Ford’s
Capri (metal fender flares) to show Edsel’s Dad the quality of his
work.That seems to work,as ASC did things like the sunroofs on
the XR7G Cougars.
I saw that Capri in Dearborn,Michigan at Ford’s 100th anniversary,
& it was well done.
There’s two reasons why a company wouldn’t put a convertible model on the line:
–low return, because of probable low volumes of sales;
–increased liability, in event of an accident.
Professional converters like ASC have, or had, those problems covered. However they did it, they were able to make money on small-volume conversions, not requiring a lot from the manufacturer of the original model.
And, their assets were a fraction of Ford, GM or Toyota. Most ambulance-chasing lawyers would just give such a case the razzberry.
I’m not a big convertible fan (although I did like my Wrangler with doors and roof off) but businesses like American Sunroof, brightened up the auto market considerably when they emerged in the early 1980s as drop-top remanufacturers with OEMs’ consent.
It’s funny that the automatic was optional; I don’t think I’ve ever seen one of these with a manual.
I have a newer Celica convertible – a RHD JDM 1991 with four-wheel steering! It must have been an expensive car new as Toyota took complete Celica coupes, shipped them across the Pacific to San Diego (I think) where ASC cut the metal roofs off and installed the covertible top and then shipped them back to Japan, in fact mine is the only RHD JDM Celica convertible I’ve ever seen in USA. But like all Toyotas it runs extremely well, just not too fast. Last weekend I drove it across the Mexican State of Sonora and back and the little RHD car brought smiles to the faces of all who saw it, and especially to me behind the wheel!
I own a 1979 Mercury Capri Ghia 5.0 auto that was converted to a convertible when new. 40k miles. First year of the Fox bodies.The car cost $4800 new, $8000 to convert. A trunk lid from a Mercedes 450 SL was used, as the convertible frame and roof. Excellent job, it is what Ford should have produced at that time. Took Ford to 1983 to build one. Only badging is the 5.0 on the fenders. Everyone thinks it’s a Mustang. I call it my Merc_edes!
My sister’s former first husband had it in red regular Celica. Automatic. Torn up the transmission on it. I had a modified blue standard, 85 Toyota. Celica. Now that was actually fast. I new knew what was done to modify it,but it put it through some quick times. Tapped out around 140 mph. Just 4 cylinders both. But both were fast. Like I said, modify those were faster than stock.
There was one of these at the local U-pull-a-part in white. I felt bad for it as it looked just as nice as the one here. It must be age but I am starting to mellow over these and the first generation Eclipse convertible which there was a red unit of that there. Sadly little or nothing is sold from cars like these when they end up in places like that.
I wanted to put those wheels on my ’62 Olds Jetfire. Bet they’d look great on an early Corvair, too.