Have you ever noticed there is a certain class, or segment, of cars that absolutely fit the criteria of being rare but don’t have the cache to demand top-dollar pricing? That’s the issue I always see with these aftermarket-converted Toyota Celica convertibles, which were made in limited quantities to a decent standard by ASC. This one is listed here on craigslist as a runner but one with a salvage title due to theft. It’s offered for $5,995.
The seller is correct to cite the extremely limited nature of these converted convertibles, as it was just a one-year offering before Toyota began exploring in-house options for a convertible model. Still, despite their rarity, the convertible Celica GT-S has remained more of a curiosity than a high-demand collector car. In a way, this is a situation where a car can become too obscure, and almost work against it when it comes time to sell.
Here’s something fascinating I’ve noticed about these ASC-built drop-tops: the owners really do tend to know what they’re talking about, at least as it relates to the rarity of the model. Many of them are even longer-term caretakers, or, at the very least, sought the model out with a specific purpose in mind. However, even the most informed owner can sometimes misinterpret limited production for desirability, and I suspect that’s what we’re dealing with here. Mileage is just shy of 90K.
This Celica’s top is manually-operated, and it also has a pretty cheesy aftermarket rear spoiler. That said, it’s in Las Vegas, so it likely has minimal rust to contend with. The seller notes it was stolen a few years ago and given a salvage title after it was recovered, which will always be a bit of a black eye on a car like this. The asking price may be a fair for a project, but the title issue is going to scare many suitors away. The Celica is equipped with an optional automatic transmission as well, which may also hold back interest. Still, a very cool car and one of the rare instances wherein an aftermarket convertible conversion looks nearly as good as a factory job.
Would be a great car for Radwood show or Cars & Coffee. I’d be on board if it was a manual.
They were cool cars. Nicely appointed. As a driver they are more flexible than some other convertibles at the time. A relaxed cruiser. At the time considered ut. Ultimately bought a Supra.Wish I still had that.
As much as I like this era of Celicas (esp with a 22R and a five speed), an after market chop job scares me. I can feel the cowl shake from here.
ASC or american sunroof corporation were not your regular aftermarket chop shop , they were actually quite big and they are behind many oem conversions .paid by the big manufacturers to produce an oem
Level convertible car , toyota was one of many of their customers
Correct me if I’m wrong, but they were responsible for some of the Eldorado and Riviera convertibles of this Era also.
Ugly with top up, keep it down, buy the center caps, remove that wing and drive it, cheaply.
I love the 85 Celica and supra. I would venture a purchase except in both states where I have residency, salvage title is a no register car. Virginia it’s difficult to get a salvage title returned to street worthy and it’s illegal in North Carolina. So it would be nothing more than a parts car. In Virginia it can be done but I would have to take it to Richmond and have the Virginia State Police inspector look at it before clearance, which is a rarity for them to actually clear salvage title cars. In North Carolina it’s just a flat no. Sad really I would love to have it, but I don’t need a nice lawn ornament.
So, you decide not to relocate region in order to enjoy this automobile….(-;
ASC did the conversions for the Celica convertibles. They made roughly 4500 over 2 years in partnership with Toyota. It started life as a coupe in Japan, where they got additional chassis reinforcements & a partially finished interior, then it was shipped to ASC where they cut the roof off & finished the rest of it. They did the same thing for many other manufacturers.
When working at 1 800 USA Fiat ( Now Defunct) in the early 90’s, I had a ciustomer call in for Convertible Top latches at the windshield for the Celica.
As I remember, the top company used Fiat 124 spider latches that we sold after refurbishing them.
When doing custome work in limited quantities, a reluiable source of previously made parts is often needed. So, the cat is out of the bag here, FIY. Yet, this is the esoterica of my business–to know and find out!
ASC did OEM conversions on several generations of Celiacs and Solera for Toyota. ASC also did the Nissan 240sx, M30, Mitsubishi convertibles.
Camaros and firebirds from 84 to 92 were also done by asc
Agree, I worked at Sunroof from ’89 to ’96.
They also were the tier one supplier of topstacks (convertibe top mechanism) to a number of other OEMs.
And for a really unique program, the 944 / 968 had the body built by Porsche, shipped to ASC’s plant nearby for structural enhancements then back to Porsche for paint. I’m not sure if the convertible was trimmed out at ASC or Porsche.