| [ http://www.coachbuilt.com/bui/a/asc/asc.htm ] "The 240sx contract led to another Nissan conversion and from 1993-1996 ASC built the 300ZX convertible, and even developed a retractable hardtop version for the automaker, which was shown at the 1991 Geneva Auto Salon, but they weren’t interested in the design. However their competitor, Mitsubishi, was and from 1995-1997 ASC built the limited production 3000 GT Spyder at their Rancho Dominguez assembly plant. A little over 1,000 (1,034) Mitsubishi 3000 GT Spyders were built at ASC’s Rancho Dominguez assembly plant from 1995-1997. As did Nissan on the 240 and 300 ZX, Mitsubishi installed some of the needed bracing and unibody supports in Japan prior to shipment to ASC, however, the car was sent with its coupe roof intact. ASC removed the roof with a plasma cutter and in its place installed a Mike Alexander-engineered retractable SMC (sheet-molded-compound) hardtop assembly which was operated by two computer controlled hydraulic cylinders located in the trunk. It took a short 35 seconds to completely lower the top whose computer included software that halted the operation if the top met a foreign object such as a human head, hand, golf club or piece of luggage. "
Bernie Bilski berniebilski@cox.net
President of Z-Car Club of Northern Virginia1995 Nissan 300ZX TwinTurbo in Cobalt Green
1997 Nissan 240SX SE in Ultra Red
2006 Nissan Frontier SE in Ultra Black
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