<PAGE>

                                   FORM 10-Q
                                        
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                                        
                         ______________________________
                                        

              [X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                                        
                  For the quarterly period ended June 30, 1997
                                        
                                       OR
                                        
             [  ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                                        
                   For the transition period from ___ to ___
                                        
                         Commission file number 0-21139
                                        
                         DURA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
                                        
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
                                        
                  DELAWARE                         38-3185711
       (State or other jurisdiction of         (I.R.S. Employer
       incorporation or organization)         Identification No.)
               4508 IDS CENTER                      55402
           MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA                 (Zip Code)
  (Address of principal executive offices)

                                 (612) 342-2311
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
                                        
                                 NOT APPLICABLE
            (Former name, former address and former fiscal year,
                         if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports 
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the 
Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to 
such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

                 Yes   X                         No
                    ------                          ------

The number of shares outstanding of the Registrant's Class A Common Stock, 
par value $.01 per share, at July 10, 1997 was 3,848,533 shares.  The number 
of shares outstanding of the Registrant's Class B Common Stock, par value 
$.01 per share, at July 10, 1997 was 4,956,254 shares.

<PAGE>



ITEM 1 - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

                DURA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

               CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

         (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS - UNAUDITED)

                                                Three Months Ended June 30,
                                                ---------------------------
                                                     1997           1996
                                                ------------   ------------
                                                          (Note 4)

Revenues                                         $  115,350     $  68,054

Cost of sales                                        97,089        57,300 
                                                ------------   ------------

    Gross profit                                     18,261        10,754 

Selling, general and administrative expenses          6,601         3,722 

Amortization expense                                    891           210 
                                                ------------   ------------

    Operating income                                 10,769         6,822 

Interest expense, net                                 1,957           811 
                                                ------------   ------------

    Income before provision for income taxes          8,812         6,011 

Provision for income taxes                            3,712         2,404 
                                                ------------   ------------

    Net income                                     $  5,100      $  3,607 
                                                ------------   ------------
                                                ------------   ------------

    Net income per common and common
         equivalent share                          $   0.58      $   0.72 
                                                ------------   ------------
                                                ------------   ------------

    Weighted average common and common
         equivalent shares outstanding                8,863         5,029 
                                                ------------   ------------
                                                ------------   ------------



                      The accompanying notes are an integral
                part of these condensed consolidated statements.

                                    - 2 -

<PAGE>


                    DURA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                   CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

            (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS - UNAUDITED)
        
                                                 Six Months Ended June 30,
                                                 --------------------------
                                                     1997           1996
                                                 ------------   -----------
                                                         (Note 4)

Revenues                                         $  222,717     $  127,357 
                                                 
Cost of sales                                       188,542        109,141 
                                                 ------------   -----------
                                                 
    Gross profit                                     34,175         18,216 
                                                 
Selling, general and administrative expenses         13,829          7,586 
                                                 
Amortization expense                                  1,774            472 
                                                 ------------   -----------
                                                 
    Operating income                                 18,572         10,158 
                                                 
Interest expense, net                                 3,853          1,900 
                                                 ------------   -----------
                                                 
    Income before provision for income taxes         14,719          8,258 
                                                 
Provision for income taxes                            6,075          3,304 
                                                 ------------   -----------
                                                 
    Net income                                     $  8,644       $  4,954 
                                                 ------------   -----------
                                                 ------------   -----------
                                                 
    Net income per common and common             
         equivalent share                          $   0.98       $   0.99 
                                                 ------------   -----------
                                                 ------------   -----------

    Weighted average common and common
         equivalent shares outstanding                8,860          5,026 
                                                 ------------   -----------
                                                 ------------   -----------


                    The accompanying notes are an integral
                 part of these condensed consolidated statements.


                                    - 3 -

<PAGE>


                DURA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                            (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)


                                             June 30,    December 31,
Assets                                         1997         1996
-----------------------------------        ------------  ------------
                                           (unaudited)
Current assets:
    Cash and cash equivalents              $  10,779    $    1,667 
    Accounts receivable, net                  67,913        49,490 
    Inventories                               24,910        18,093 
    Other current assets                      17,651        14,678 
                                           ------------  ------------

         Total current assets                121,253        83,928 

Property, plant and equipment, net            62,510        47,347 

Goodwill and other assets, net               135,499       114,854 
                                           ------------  ------------

                                          $  319,262    $  246,129 
                                           ------------  ------------
                                           ------------  ------------

Liabilities and Stockholders' Investment
----------------------------------------

Current liabilities:
    Current maturities of long-term debt    $  2,512    $      80 
    Accounts payable                          34,782       30,230 
    Accrued liabilities                       42,689       26,090 
                                           ------------  ------------

         Total current liabilities            79,983       56,400 

Long-term debt, net of current maturities    119,629       77,376 
Other noncurrent liabilities                  25,399       24,986 
                                           ------------  ------------

Stockholders' investment:
    Preferred stock                             --            --   
    Common stock - Class A                       38            38 
    Common stock - Class B                       50            50 
    Additional paid-in capital               63,282        63,061 
    Retained earnings                        33,030        24,386 
    Cumulative translation adjustment        (2,002)          --   
    Subscriptions receivable                   (147)         (168)
                                           ------------  ------------

         Total stockholders' investment      94,251        87,367 
                                           ------------  ------------

                                         $  319,262    $  246,129 
                                           ------------  ------------
                                           ------------  ------------


                  The accompanying notes are an integral
          part of these condensed consolidated balance sheets.


                                    - 4 -

<PAGE>
                    DURA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                       (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS - UNAUDITED)

                                                      Six Months Ended June 30,
                                                      -------------------------
                                                           1997        1996
                                                      -----------  ------------
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
    Net income                                           $  8,644   $  4,954 
    Adjustments to reconcile net income to
         net cash provided by operating activities -
              Depreciation and amortization                 6,826      3,073 
              Deferred income tax provision                    -       1,658 
              Changes in other operating items             (9,505)      (102)
                                                      -----------   ----------

         Net cash provided by operating activities          5,965      9,583
                                                      -----------   ----------

INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
    Acquisitions, net of cash acquired                    (21,181)        - 
    Capital expenditures, net                              (5,227)    (2,076)
    Other, net                                                 -        (305)
                                                      -----------   ----------

         Net cash used in investing activities            (26,408)    (2,381)
                                                      -----------   ----------

FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
    Borrowings under revolving credit facility            138,225     62,500 
    Repayment of revolving credit facility               (106,000)   (65,750)
    Repayments of debt                                     (2,675)    (2,435)
    Other, net                                                220        (10)
                                                      -----------   ---------

        Net cash provided by (used in) 
          financing activities                             29,770     (5,695)
                                                      -----------   ---------

EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE ON CASH                              (215)        -   
                                                      -----------   ---------

NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                     9,112      1,507

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:
    Beginning of period                                     1,667      1,732
                                                      -----------   ---------

    End of period                                       $  10,779   $  3,239
                                                      -----------   ---------
                                                      -----------   ---------

                    The accompanying notes are an integral
              part of these condensed consolidated statements.

                                    - 5 -

<PAGE>


                    DURA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                 NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                     (UNAUDITED)

1.  The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have 
    been prepared by Dura Automotive Systems, Inc. (the "Company"), without 
    audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and 
    Exchange Commission. The information furnished in the condensed 
    consolidated financial statements includes normal recurring adjustments 
    and reflects all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, 
    necessary for a fair presentation of such financial statements.  Certain 
    information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial 
    statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting 
    principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and 
    regulations.  Although the Company believes that the disclosures are 
    adequate to make the information presented not misleading, it is 
    suggested that these condensed consolidated financial statements be read 
    in conjunction with the audited financial statements and the notes 
    thereto included in the Company's 1996 Annual Report to Stockholders.

    Revenues and operating results for the three and six months ended 
    June 30, 1997 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be 
    expected for the full year.

2.  On August 14, 1996, the Company completed an initial public offering 
    of 3,795,000 shares of its Class A common stock at $14.50 per share (the 
    "Offering").  The Company received net proceeds of approximately $50 
    million from the Offering.  Net proceeds from the Offering were used to 
    repay certain outstanding indebtedness.  Immediately prior to the 
    completion of the Offering, the Company's board of directors and 
    stockholders approved an Amended and Restated Certificate of 
    Incorporation and a recapitalization pursuant to which the outstanding 
    shares of the Company's Class A, B and C common stock were exchanged for 
    4,998,254 shares in the aggregate of the Company's new Class B common 
    stock (out of a total of 10,000,000 shares of Class B common stock 
    authorized for issuance under the Amended and Restated Certificate of 
    Incorporation).  Immediately after the consummation of the 
    recapitalization and the Offering, the Company had outstanding 8,793,254 
    shares of common stock.  The accompanying unaudited condensed 
    consolidated financial statements have been retroactively restated to 
    give effect to the recapitalization as if it had occurred at the 
    beginning of the earliest period presented.
    
                                    - 6 -

<PAGE>



3.  Inventories consisted of the following (in thousands):

                                 June 30, 1997   Dec. 31, 1996
                                 -------------   -------------

           Raw materials           $  11,413       $  9,384 
           Work in process             8,885          4,767 
           Finished goods              4,612          3,942 
                                  -----------     -----------

                                   $  24,910      $  18,093 
                                  -----------     -----------
                                  -----------     -----------
    
4.  In August 1996, the Company formed a joint venture with Excel 
    Industries, Inc. (Excel) to participate equally in the acquisition of a 
    26 percent interest in Pollone, S.A. (Pollone), a manufacturer of 
    automotive components and mechanical assemblies headquartered in Sao 
    Paulo, Brazil, for $5 million in total.  The Company has accounted for 
    its portion of this investment using the cost method of accounting.  The 
    Company has also loaned Pollone an additional $5.25 million pursuant to 
    notes which bear interest at approximately 7% and mature from August 
    1998 through August 2000.  Certain of these notes are convertible into 
    equity of Pollone, at the Company's option.  The investment and the notes
    are included in other assets in the accompanying condensed consolidated 
    balance sheets.
    
        In October 1996, the Company acquired the parking brake business of 
    Rockwell Light Vehicle Systems France S.A. (the French Operations).  The 
    aggregate purchase price was approximately $3.75 million.  The parking 
    brake business is operated from a facility in St. Die, France.  The pro 
    forma effects of this transaction are not material to the Company's 
    results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 1996.
    
    In December 1996, the Company acquired all of the outstanding common 
    stock of KPI Automotive Group (KPI) from Sparton Corporation for 
    approximately $78.8 million in cash.  KPI manufactures shifter systems, 
    parking brake mechanisms, brake pedals, underbody spare tire carriers 
    and airbag components for the North American automotive industry.  The 
    acquisition was financed with proceeds from borrowings under the Company's
    bank credit agreement.

    In January 1997, the Company acquired all of the outstanding common 
    stock of the VOFA Group (VOFA) for approximately $38 million in cash and 
    assumed indebtedness.  The purchase was financed with borrowings under 
    the Company's bank credit agreement.  The Company will also make 
    additional payments of up to approximately $6 million if certain 
    operating targets are achieved by VOFA in the first three years 
    following the acquisition.  VOFA manufactures shifter cables, brake 
    cables and other light duty cables for the European automotive and 
    industrial markets from facilities in Dusseldorf, Gehren and Daun, 
    Germany and Barcelona, Spain.
    
    In May 1997, the Company acquired the automotive parking brake 
    business from Excel for approximately $2.9 million.  The pro forma 
    effects of this transaction are not material to the Company's results of 
    operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 1996 and 1997.

                                    - 7 -

<PAGE>

    
    The accompanying unaudited consolidated pro forma results of 
    operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 1996 give effect 
    to the Offering and the acquisitions of KPI and VOFA as if they were 
    completed at the beginning of the period.  The unaudited pro forma 
    financial information does not purport to represent what the Company's 
    results of operations would actually have been if such transactions had 
    occurred at such date or to project the Company's results of future 
    operations (in thousands, except per share data):
    
                                    Pro Forma              Pro Forma
                                 Three Months Ended    Six Months Ended 
                                   June 30, 1996         June 30, 1996
                                 ------------------    ------------------
        Revenues                      $  116,699           $  217,470 
                                 ------------------    ------------------
                                 ------------------    ------------------
        Operating income              $   10,427           $   16,885 
                                 ------------------    ------------------
                                 ------------------    ------------------
                                                         
        Net income                    $    5,159           $    7,762 
                                 ------------------    ------------------
                                 ------------------    ------------------

                                                         
        Weighted average common                          
          and common equivalent                          
          shares outstanding               8,824                8,824 
                                 ------------------    ------------------
                                 ------------------    ------------------
                                                         
        Net income per common                            
          and common equivalent                          
          share                       $     0.58            $    0.88 
                                 ------------------    ------------------
                                 ------------------    ------------------


5.  Long-term debt consisted of the following (in thousands):

                                                June 30,          Dec. 31,
                                                  1997              1996
                                              ------------     -----------
        Revolving credit facility             $  109,225        $  77,000 
        Other                                     12,916              456 
                                              ------------     -----------
                                                 122,141           77,456 
        Less-current maturities                   (2,512)             (80)
                                              ------------     -----------
 
                                              $  119,629        $  77,376 
                                              ------------     -----------
                                              ------------     -----------


    The Company's bank credit agreement, as amended, consists of a 
    revolving credit facility with a committed amount of $120 million, is 
    collateralized by substantially all assets of the Company, matures in 
    December 2001 and bears interest at the lender's prevailing reference 
    rate plus .5% or LIBOR plus 1% minus the Eurocurrency Reserve 
    Percentage, at the discretion of the Company. The agreement also 
    provides the Company with the ability to borrow in foreign currencies up 
    to an amount equivalent to $30 million.  As of June 30, 1997 $105.5 
    million of borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit facility 
    are denominated in US dollars and $3.725 million of borrowings are 
    denominated in Deutsche Marks.  The 


                                    - 8 -

<PAGE>

    bank credit agreement requires the Company to pay a facility fee on the 
    commitment amount of .25% and contains various restrictive covenants, 
    which, among other matters, require the Company to maintain certain 
    financial ratios, including minimum liquidity and interest coverage.  
    The bank credit agreement also limits additional indebtedness, 
    investments, rental obligations and cash dividends.  The Company was in 
    compliance with all such covenants at June 30, 1997.  In addition, the 
    Company has outstanding letters of credit in the amount of $1.7 million 
    expiring through October 1997.
    
6.  During March 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board released 
    Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128 ("SFAS 128"), 
    "Earnings per Share", which requires the disclosure of basic earnings 
    per share and diluted earnings per share.  The Company expects to adopt 
    SFAS 128 in fiscal 1998 and anticipates it will not have a material 
    impact on previously reported earnings per share.
    
7.  In August 1997, the Company announced that it signed a definitive 
    agreement to acquire GT Automotive Systems, Inc. (GT Automotive), 
    headquartered in Livonia, Michigan.  GT Automotive has manufacturing 
    facilities in Livonia and Warren, Michigan and Windsor and Brantford, 
    Ontario, Canada, with annual revenues of approximately $70 million.  The 
    acquisition is subject to regulatory approval and other customary 
    matters.  Initial consideration for the acquisition of GT Automotive is 
    $45 million in cash.  The Company expects to amend its revolving credit 
    facility to finance the acquisition.  Closing is expected to occur during 
    the third quarter of 1997.
    
8.  Supplemental cash flow information (in thousands):


                              Three Months Ended       Six Months Ended
                                   June 30,                June 30,
                              -------------------      -----------------
                               1997       1996          1997       1996
                              -------------------      -----------------

          Cash paid for -
              Interest        $2,248      $935         $3,521     $2,153
              Income taxes     2,019       802          2,294      1,052
 








                                    - 9 -

<PAGE>

ITEM 2:  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
         RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

COMPARISON OF THE THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1997 TO THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30, 1996

REVENUES -- Revenues for the three months ended June 30, 1997 increased by
$47.3 million, or 69%, to $115.4 million from $68.1 million for the three months
ended June 30, 1996.  The increase in revenues relates primarily to the
acquisitions of KPI Automotive Group (KPI) in December 1996 and the VOFA Group
(VOFA) in January 1997.

COST OF SALES -- Cost of sales for the three months ended June 30, 1997
increased by $39.8 million, or 69%, to $97.1 million from $57.3 million for the
three months ended June 30, 1996.  Cost of sales as a percentage of revenues for
the three months ended June 30, 1997 and 1996 was 84.2%.  Lower margins from the
KPI and VOFA acquisitions were offset by higher incremental margins on certain
new business, continued cost reduction efforts, including cellular manufacturing
and plant consolidation, and the initial effects of cost reduction opportunities
at KPI and VOFA.

S, G & A EXPENSES -- Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by
$2.9 million, or 78.4%, to $6.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 1997
from $3.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 1996.  The increase was
due to increased support for worldwide engineering and marketing efforts
partially offset by initial consolidation opportunities at KPI and VOFA.  As a
percentage of revenues, selling, general and administrative expenses were 5.7%
for the three months ended June 30, 1997 compared to 5.5% for the three months
ended June 30, 1996.

INTEREST EXPENSE  -- Interest expense for the three months ended June 30, 1997
was $2.0 million compared to $811,000 for the three months ended June 30, 1996. 
The increase was due principally to borrowings incurred related to the
acquisitions of KPI and VOFA.

INCOME TAXES -- The effective income tax rate was 42% for the three months
ended June 30, 1997 and 40% for the three months ended June 30, 1996.  The
effective rates differed from the statutory rates as a result of higher foreign
tax rates and the effects of state taxes and non-deductible goodwill
amortization.

COMPARISON OF THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1997 TO THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE
30, 1996

REVENUES -- Revenues for the six months ended June 30, 1997 increased by $95.3
million, or 74.8%, to $222.7 million from $127.4 million for the six months
ended June 30, 1996.  The increase in revenues relates primarily to the
acquisitions of KPI and VOFA.


                                    - 10 -

<PAGE>

COST OF SALES -- Cost of sales for the six months ended June 30, 1997 
increased by $79.4 million or 72.8%, to $188.5 million from $109.1 million 
for the six months ended June 30, 1996.  Cost of sales as a percentage of 
revenues for the six months ended June 30, 1997 was 84.7% compared to 85.7% 
for the six months ended June 30, 1996. Lower margins from the KPI and VOFA 
acquisitions were offset by higher incremental margins on certain new 
business, continued cost reduction efforts, including cellular manufacturing 
and plant consolidation, and the initial effects of cost reduction 
opportunities at KPI and VOFA.

S, G & A EXPENSES -- Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 
by $6.2 million, or 81.6%, to $13.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 
1997 from $7.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 1996.  The increase 
is due primarily to incremental costs from the acquisitions of KPI and VOFA.  
As a percentage of revenues, selling, general and administrative expenses 
were 6.2% for the six months ended June 30, 1997 compared to 6.0% for the six 
months ended June 30, 1996.

INTEREST EXPENSE -- Interest expense for the six months ended June 30, 1997 
was $3.9 million compared to $1.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 
1996. The increase was due principally to borrowings incurred related to the 
acquisitions of KPI and VOFA.

INCOME TAXES -- The effective income tax rate was 41.3% for the six months 
ended June 30, 1996 and 40.0% for the six months ended June 30, 1996.  The 
effective rates differed from the statutory rates primarily as a result of 
higher foreign tax rates, state taxes and non-deductible goodwill 
amortization.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

On August 14, 1996, the Company completed an initial public offering of 
3,795,000 shares of its Class A common stock at a price of $14.50 per share. 
The Company realized net proceeds of approximately $50 million from this 
offering.

The Company's bank credit agreement consists of a $120 million revolving 
credit facility which expires in December 2001.  The agreement also provides 
the Company with the ability to borrow in foreign currencies up to an amount 
equivalent to $30 million.  As of June 30, 1997, there was $109.2 million 
outstanding under this revolving credit facility including $3.7 million which 
is denominated in Duetsche Marks.  The bank credit agreement requires the 
Company to pay a facility fee on the commitment amount of .25% and contains 
various restrictive covenants, which, among other matters, require the 
Company to maintain certain financial ratios, including minimum liquidity and 
interest coverage.  The bank credit agreement also limits additional 
indebtedness, investments, rental obligations and cash dividends.  The 
Company was in compliance with all such covenants at June 30, 1997.  In 
addition, the Company has outstanding letters of credit in the amount of $1.7 
million expiring through October 1997.

In August 1996, the Company formed a joint venture with Excel Industries, 
Inc. (Excel) to participate equally in the acquisition of a 26 percent 
interest in Pollone, S.A. (Pollone), a manufacturer of automotive components 
and mechanical assemblies headquartered in Sao Paulo, Brazil, for $5 million 
in total.  The Company has accounted for its portion of this investment using 
the cost method of accounting.  The Company has also loaned Pollone an 
additional $5.25 million pursuant to notes which bear interest at 
approximately 7% and mature from August 1998 through August 2000.  Certain of 
these notes are convertible into equity of Pollone, at the Company's option. 

                                    - 11 -

<PAGE>

In October 1996, the Company acquired the parking brake business of Rockwell 
Light Vehicle Systems France S.A.  The aggregate purchase price was 
approximately $3.75 million.  The parking brake business is operated from a 
facility in St. Die, France.

In December 1996, the Company acquired all of the outstanding common stock of 
KPI from Sparton Corporation for approximately $78.8 million in cash.  KPI 
manufactures shifter systems, parking brake mechanisms, brake pedals, 
underbody spare tire carriers and airbag components for the North American 
automotive industry from facilities in Indiana and Michigan.  The acquisition 
was financed with proceeds from borrowings under the Company's bank credit 
agreement.

In January 1997, the Company acquired all of the outstanding common stock of 
the VOFA Group (VOFA) for approximately $38 million in cash and assumed 
indebtedness.  The Company will also make additional payments of up to 
approximately $6 million if certain operating targets are achieved by VOFA in 
the first three years following the acquisition.  VOFA manufactures shifter 
cables, brake cables and other light duty cables for the European automotive 
and industrial markets from facilities in Dusseldorf, Gehren and Daun, 
Germany and Barcelona, Spain.

In May 1997, the Company acquired the automotive parking brake business from 
Excel for approximately $2.9 million.  The acquisition was financed with 
proceeds from borrowings under the Company's bank credit agreement.

In August 1997, the Company announced that it signed a definitive agreement 
to acquire GT Automotive Systems, Inc. (GT Automotive), headquartered in 
Livonia, Michigan.  GT Automotive has manufacturing facilities in Livonia and 
Warren, Michigan and Windsor and Brantford, Ontario, Canada, with annual 
revenues of approximately $70 million.  Initial consideration for GT 
Automotive is $45 million in cash.  The acquisition is subject to regulatory 
approval and other customary matters.  Closing is expected to occur during 
the third quarter.

The Company is currently negotiating an amendment to its bank credit 
agreement to finance the acquisition of GT Automotive and provide for working 
capital and other needs.  The Company believes borrowings under its bank 
credit agreement, as amended, together with funds generated by the Company's 
operations, will provide the Company with sufficient liquidity and capital 
resources for working capital, capital expenditures and other needs.  
However, any additional significant acquisitions may require additional debt 
or equity financing.  The Company believes additional financing will be 
available from bank lenders, through the issuance of public or private debt 
securities or through additional offerings of equity securities.

The Company's principal source of funds has been, and is anticipated to be, 
its cash flows from operations.  During the six months ended June 30, 1997, 
the Company generated cash from operations of $15.5 million before the 
effects of changes in working capital compared to $9.7 million in 1996.  The 
cash generated from operations was used to fund capital expenditures of 
approximately $5.2 million and to partially finance the acquisitions referred 
to above.

                                    - 12 -

<PAGE>


The Company estimates that it will fund approximately $8 million in capital 
expenditures for the remaining months of 1997.  These capital expenditures 
will be used primarily for the purchase of machinery and equipment to support 
new business awards, as well as to finance continued cost reduction efforts.

QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND SEASONALITY

The Company typically experiences decreased revenues and operating income 
during the third calendar quarter of each year due to production shutdowns at 
the automotive manufacturers for model changeovers and vacations.

EFFECTS OF INFLATION

Inflation generally affects the Company by increasing the interest expense of 
floating rate indebtedness and by increasing the cost of labor, equipment and 
raw materials.  Management believes that inflation has had an effect on the 
Company's business over the past 18 months due to rising labor costs and raw 
material costs, primarily steel, although at a rate below the producer price 
index.  Although certain of the Company's customer contracts provide that 
increases in the Company's cost of raw materials in certain circumstances may 
be passed through to its customers, prevailing industry practices have not 
allowed the Company to pass such costs on to its customers.









                                    - 13 -

<PAGE>



                             PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION
                                           
                    DURA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                           
Item 1.  Legal Proceedings:

    Other than as reported in the Company's 1996 Annual Report on Form 
    10-K under the caption "Legal Proceedings," the Company is not 
    currently a party to any material pending legal proceedings, other 
    than routine matters incidental to the business of the Company.

Item 2.  Change in Securities:

    None

Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities:

    None

Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders:

    The registrant held its Annual Meeting of Stockholders on May 14, 
    1997. Proxies for the meeting were solicited pursuant to Regulation 
    14.  There was no solicitation in opposition to management's 
    nominees for directors as listed in the Proxy Statement, and all 
    such nominees (Neil C. Anderson, Robert E. Brooker, Jr., W.H. 
    Clement, Jack K. Edwards, Robert R. Hibbs, S.A. Johnson, James L. 
    O'Loughlin, William L. Orscheln, Eric J. Rosen, Karl F. Storrie and 
    Barbara A. Westhues) were elected.  Of the 51,131,283 votes, at 
    least 51,126,363 votes granted authority to vote for these 
    directors and no more than 4,920 abstaining votes were cast.

    The retention of Arthur Andersen LLP as auditors was approved by 
    the stockholders.  A total of 51,129,274 affirmative votes, 986 
    negative votes and 1,023 abstaining votes were cast.

Item 5.  Other Information:

    None

Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K:
                                                           Sequential
    (a)  Exhibits:                                         Page Number
                                                           -----------

         11   Statements of Computation of Earnings
              Per Share For the Three and Six Months 
              Ended June 30, 1997 and 1996.                     16

    (b)  During the quarter for which this report is filed,
         the Company filed no Form 8-K Current Reports with
         the Securities and Exchange Commission.


                                    - 14 -

<PAGE>


                             SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

                                       DURA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC.


Date:  August 14, 1997                 By /S/ Stephen E.K. Graham
                                          --------------------------------
                                          Stephen E.K. Graham
                                          Vice President, Chief Financial 
                                          Officer (principal accounting 
                                          and financial officer)









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