AV Paseo

Here is the complete message. Date: 10/6/2005 10:08AM Subject: Toyota Paseo Convertible Below are the production numbers (they are fairly accurate) for the Paseo Convertible, this includes the Cynos (name different for exported vehicles). Also some press information release by Toyota about the Paseo convertible. 1997 - 3694 1998 - 151 1999 - 24 ________________________________________________ ASC Incorporated - Marketing and Communications One ASC Center, Southgate, MI 48195 Toyota Press Release Toyota and ASC Celebrate the Completion of First Paseo Convertible: New Toyota vehicle is the lowest priced convertible in America. 10/21/1996 Torrance, CA October, 1996 - TORRANCE, CA - Toyota and ASC celebrated the completion of the first Paseo Convertible at a line-off ceremony held at ASC's Long Beach, Calif. assembly facility on Sept. 26. Yoshio Ishizaka, president and CEO of Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. joined Heinz Prechter, chairman and founder of ASC Incorporated for a ribbon cutting ceremony, as the first Paseo Convertible rolled off the assembly line. "Today, Toyota not only celebrates the completion of the first Paseo Convertible, but a 14-year partnership with our friends at ASC," stated Ishizaka at the Sept. 26 ceremony. "Both the Paseo and the Celica convertibles are symbolic of our mutual commitment to producing quality products for sale both here and abroad." The Paseo Convertible's conversion process takes place at U.S.-supplier ASC, in Long Beach, Calif., the conversion location for the Toyota Celica. Toyota's newest entry in the sporty car segment offers the lowest price point of all convertibles sold in the United States. The Paseo convertible combines the leading-edge style of the coupe model with the sun-loving addition of a manual convertible top. The Paseo Convertible begins life at Toyota's Takaoka plant in Toyota City, Japan, as a partially assembled coupe. Structural braces in the rocker panels, rear strut towers and rear fenders are added before the vehicle leaves the factory. It is then shipped to ASC, where the metal roof is removed and the conversion process begins. A four-layer insulated top is designed specifically for this application. Adding only 143 pounds to Paseo's curb weight, the conversion allows the vehicle to retain its rear seat and invades only minimally into the trunk, allowing plenty of secured cargo space. The convertible's top features a heated rear glass window and glass rear quarter windows that fold with the top. The Paseo's lightweight top is easily raised from the driver's seat position. The Convertible will be offered in three exterior paint colors including Super White, Satin Black Metallic and Super Red, all with complimentary gray sport-cloth interiors. The Paseo Convertible will be sold in the United States, as well as Japan and Europe. Paseo convertibles will reach U.S. Toyota dealers on Nov. 1, 1996. Toyota Press Release The 1997 Paseo lineup is expanded with the addition of a Convertible model. The conversion takes place alongside the Celica Convertible in the ASC plant in Rancho Dominguez, Calif., where the roof is removed and the convertible top installed. The top is two-layer and incorporates an integrated heated glass rear window. What does it mean? Paseo: From the Spanish word meaning "promenade." Where is it built? All Paseos are built at the Takaoka Plant in Toyota City, Japan. Toyota Press Release 07/01/1997 The distinctive 1997 Paseo coupe delivers affordable, sporty car styling with Toyota's unmatched reputation for quality, dependability and reliability. Adding to the excitement for ‘97, Paseo goes topless. The all-new Paseo convertible offers all the fun and style of the coupe with the sun-loving addition of a manual convertible top. The Paseo convertible's conversion process takes place at U.S. supplier ASC, in Rancho Dominguez, Calif., the conversion location for the Toyota Celica. The Paseo convertible begins at Toyota's Takaoka plant in Toyota City, Japan as a partially assembled coupe. Structural braces in the rocker panels, rear strut towers and rear fenders are added before the vehicle leaves the factory. It is then shipped to ASC, where the metal roof is removed and the conversion process begins. A four-layer insulated top is designed specifically for this application. Adding only 143 pounds to Paseo's curb weight, the conversion allows the vehicle to keep its full-sized rear seat and invades only minimally into the trunk, allowing plenty of secured cargo space. The convertible's top features a heated rear glass window and glass rear quarter windows that fold with the top. The Paseo's lightweight top is easily raised from the driver's seat position. Completely redesigned last year, the second generation Paseo receives only minor changes for 1997. New Paseo interior features include dual vanity mirrors on the hardtop coupe, revised cabin door trim and logically placed rotary heater controls. Paseo retains its aerodynamic look without exterior changes for 1997. The Paseo's trend-setting design and sleek lines are enhanced by flush headlamps and spoiler-style color keyed bumpers. Complimentary black remote-controlled mirrors, protective bodyside molding, tinted windows and full wheel covers add to the look. Sports car-styling cues are not limited to the exterior. Reclining high-back seats with integrated heardrests and fabric upholstery accentuate the Paseo's cabin. Interior appointments include rear fold-down seats with security lock, fabric door trim, full carpeting, fabric headliner and fully lined trunk. The feature-packed cabin offers popular conveniences standard. Niceties include AM/FM ETR radio with four-speakers, dual cupholders, a digital clock, rear window defogger, intermittent wipers and remote fuel and trunk releases. The instrument panel is convenient as well, with easy-to-read white-faced gauges and warning lights. The Paseo's 1.5 liter DOHC four-cylinder engine offers a quick-revving 93 horsepower at 5,400 rpm and 100 lbs./ft. of torque at 4,400 rpm. Available with either a slick-shifting manual transmission or four-speed electronically controlled automatic, the engine is as economical as it is responsive. Paseo's estimated EPA city/highway gas mileage is an impressive 30/35 mpg for the five-speed manual transmission and 28/34 mpg for the four-speed automatic transmission. Paseo's suspension offers nimble handling and excellent ride comfort via a MacPherson strut-type front suspension and trailing torsion beam rear suspension. Front and rear stabilizer bars and power assisted rack-and-pinion steering contribute to Paseo's balance and control. Paseo offers important safety features, including available anti-lock brakes and all-weather guard package in addition to the standard three-point driver-side and passenger seat belts, dual airbags and four-spoke steering wheel. Optional equipment allows buyers to further personalize the Paseo. Factory options include air conditioning, power windows and door locks, polycast wheels, cruise control, rear spoiler, styled alloy wheels and glass pop-up sunroof with sunshade. Paseo is a sleek, sporty car, that combines an athletic and youthful attitude with sophisticated engineering. J.D. Power and Associates recently ranked Toyota Paseo as one of its top five vehicles and awarded Paseo the accolade of “Best Sporty Car” in the 1996 J.D. Power Initial Quality Study. The convertible will be offered in three exterior paint colors including Super White, Satin Black Metallic and Super Red, all with complimentary gray sport-cloth interiors. Eight vibrant colors, one new for 1997, are available on the coupe. Exterior paint colors include the new Coral Rose, Super White, Platinum Metallic, Super Black Metallic, Super Red, Sierra Green Metallic, Light Turquoise Pearl and Bright Iris Pearl all with gray sport-cloth interiors. Limited Warranty

I have owned a 1997 Toyota Paseo convertible since 2004. The following production numbers are from a personal communication from ASC, Inc. dated 10/6/2005. ASC has since gone out of business. Date: 10/6/2005 10:08AM Subject: Toyota Paseo Convertible Below are the production numbers (they are fairly accurate) for the Paseo Convertible, this includes the Cynos (name different for exported vehicles). Also some press information release by Toyota about the Paseo convertible. 1997 - 3694 1998 - 151 1999 - 24 ________________________________________________ ASC Incorporated - Marketing and Communications One ASC Center, Southgate, MI 48195