Dura Convertible Systems
Encyclopedia
Dura Convertible Systems was an automobile
supplier specializing in convertible
tops. It is a unit of Collins & Aikman
Corp. Dura had supplied convertible tops to Chrysler
since 1982's introduction of the Chrysler LeBaron
convertible. It had also supplied the Chevrolet Corvette
's top for many years. Both of these long contracts were recently won by competitors, the Chrysler Sebring
going to Karmann
and the Corvette to Magna International
's CTS Car Top Systems subsidiary, which purchased Dura Convertible Systems in early 2007. Magna CTS inherited the Ford Mustang
and Dodge Viper
convertible tops.
The Dura location in Adrian
, Michigan
was closed and all production of Dura related business was moved to the Aguascalientes, Mexico facility that Magna
also inherited in the summer of 2007.
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
supplier specializing in convertible
Convertible
A convertible is a type of automobile in which the roof can retract and fold away having windows which wind-down inside the doors, converting it from an enclosed to an open-air vehicle...
tops. It is a unit of Collins & Aikman
Collins & Aikman
Collins & Aikman Corporation was a manufacturer of cockpit modules and automotive floor and acoustic systems and a supplier of instrument panels, automotive fabric, plastic based trim and convertible top systems...
Corp. Dura had supplied convertible tops to Chrysler
Chrysler
Chrysler Group LLC is a multinational automaker headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA. Chrysler was first organized as the Chrysler Corporation in 1925....
since 1982's introduction of the Chrysler LeBaron
Chrysler LeBaron
The Chrysler LeBaron was originally a classic luxury car of 1930s manufactured by Chrysler which competed with other luxury cars of the era such as Lincoln and Packard....
convertible. It had also supplied the Chevrolet Corvette
Chevrolet Corvette
The Chevrolet Corvette is a sports car by the Chevrolet division of General Motors that has been produced in six generations. The first model, a convertible, was designed by Harley Earl and introduced at the GM Motorama in 1953 as a concept show car. Myron Scott is credited for naming the car after...
's top for many years. Both of these long contracts were recently won by competitors, the Chrysler Sebring
Chrysler Sebring
The Chrysler Sebring is a line of mid-size cars that was sold by Chrysler from 1995 to 2010.The Sebring came in three generations. The first, from 1995 to 2000, was available first only as a coupe and starting in 1996 as a convertible. The two body designs did not share many components nor any...
going to Karmann
Karmann
Wilhelm Karmann GmbH, commonly known simply as Karmann, in Osnabrück, Germany was until 2009 the largest independent motor vehicle manufacturing company in Germany...
and the Corvette to Magna International
Magna International
Magna International Inc. , is an automotive supplier headquartered in Aurora, Ontario, Canada. It is Canada's largest automobile parts manufacturer, and one of the country's largest companies. It owns the Magna Steyr automobile production company of Austria....
's CTS Car Top Systems subsidiary, which purchased Dura Convertible Systems in early 2007. Magna CTS inherited the Ford Mustang
Ford Mustang
The Ford Mustang is an automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company. It was initially based on the second generation North American Ford Falcon, a compact car. Introduced early on April 17, 1964, as a "1964½" model, the 1965 Mustang was the automaker's most successful launch since the Model A...
and Dodge Viper
Dodge Viper
The first prototype was tested in January 1989. It debuted in 1991 with two pre-production models as the pace car for the Indianapolis 500 when Dodge was forced to substitute it in place of the Japanese-built Stealth because of complaints from the United Auto Workers, and went on sale in January...
convertible tops.
The Dura location in Adrian
Adrian
Adrian is a form of the Latin given name Hadrianus . Several saints and six popes have borne this name, including the only English pope, Adrian IV, and the only Dutch pope, Adrian VI...
, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
was closed and all production of Dura related business was moved to the Aguascalientes, Mexico facility that Magna
Magna International
Magna International Inc. , is an automotive supplier headquartered in Aurora, Ontario, Canada. It is Canada's largest automobile parts manufacturer, and one of the country's largest companies. It owns the Magna Steyr automobile production company of Austria....
also inherited in the summer of 2007.