Topless Chrysler 300C Wows Auto Show Goers and Chrysler Execs Alike

ASC 300C Convertible May See Production

Down in the basement of Detroit's Cobo Hall, home to the North American International Auto Show, was one of the most

American Specialty Cars transformed a popular Chrysler 300C into an extremely rich looking drop-top. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

intriguing cars shown at the January event.

Of course, the premise of chopping the roof off of America's sweetheart sedan is a no-brainer, but the way American Specialty Cars (ASC) went about the job was unorthodox and the result is an unusually attractive and wonderfully practical luxury ragtop.

Formed from a HEMI V8-powered 300C, a car that is now almost starting to look commonplace due to its enormous popularity, the Helios, named after the Greek god of the sun, was transformed into an extremely rich looking drop-top.

"From top to bottom, the Helios is inspirational, setting new standards for

"The Helios is inspirational, setting new standards for convertible performance," said Paul Wilbur, president and chief executive officer of ASC. (Photo: American Specialty Cars)

convertible performance, as well as offering the potential of creating an all-new vehicle segment not currently served today," said Paul Wilbur, president and chief executive officer of ASC.

Possibly it was the unique champagne and caviar colour treatment, or the fact that only the wealthiest American tycoons or movie stars of the roaring twenties or dirty thirties could ever afford a dual-cowl phaeton, the name given to four-door convertibles back in their heyday when domestic luxury coachbuilders such as Cadillac, Duesenberg, Pierce Arrow roamed the better neighbourhoods.