ASC Concept SUV Lets the Sunshine In

A Series of Fabric Panels Shed Light on Front or Rear Occupants

ASC Inc., a Southgate Michigan company which made its name for designing and building convertible models of popular coupes as

At the North American International Auto Show in Detroit next month, ASC Inc. will unveil their latest convertible conversion based on Jeep's compact Liberty SUV. (Photo: ASC Inc.)

well as concepts and production models for top automakers, is once again readying a new concept for the North American International Auto Show held in Detroit next month.

The concept won't be an entirely new design, mind you, but rather an open-air take on a vehicle type that normally never gets to see as much daylight as ASC has in mind, the sport utility.

While ASC makes no mention of exactly which SUV will get the al fresco treatment, an artist's rendering provided by the custom coachbuilder depicts Jeep's popular Liberty as the donor vehicle, and a nifty cloth retractable roof system.

The Freedom concept, as ASC named it, replaces the metal roof on the compact sport utility with a number of fabric panels. The

ASC Inc. aided in the development of Chevy's SSR pickup, and makes convertible top systems for the Toyota Camry Solara and Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder (shown). (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

flexible panels can be shifted forward to expose the rear seats and cargo area, or rearward to let light shine into the front and rear seats.

While the Freedom looks intriguing, it will only be on of five new concepts ASC will be showing at the Detroit show.

Of interest, the specialty carmaker aided in the development and sub-assembly of Chevy's retro SSR pickup truck which features a unique retractable hardtop. The firm also makes convertible top systems for the Toyota Camry Solara and Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder.