AFG INVESTMENT TRUST C
10-K, 1997-03-31
EQUIPMENT RENTAL & LEASING, NEC
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<PAGE>
                                         UNITED STATES 
                              SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 
                                     Washington, D.C. 20549
 
                                          FORM 10-K 
(Mark One)
 
[XX] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE 
     ACT OF 1934 [FEE REQUIRED]
 
For the fiscal year ended             December 31, 1996
                         -------------------------------------------------------
                                                OR
 
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
    ACT OF 1934 [NO FEE REQUIRED]
 
FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM                             TO
                              ---------------------------     ------------------
Commission file number               0-21444
                      ----------------------------------------------------------

                               AFG Investment Trust C 
             ----------------------------------------------------------
               (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Delaware                                                    04-3157232
- --------------------------------                            --------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of                                (IRS Employer 
incorporation or organization)                              Identification No.)

98 N. Washington St., Fifth Floor, Boston, MA                   02114  
- ---------------------------------------------                   ----------
(Address of principal executive offices)                        (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code    (617) 854-5800
                                                  ------------------------------

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act    NONE
                                                           ---------------------

Title of each class                    Name of each exchange on which registered
- --------------------                   -----------------------------------------

- -------------------                    -----------------------------------------

- -------------------                    -----------------------------------------

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

                         2,011,014 Trust Beneficiary Interests 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    (Title of class) 


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    (Title of class)
 
    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 XX   No 
                                                   --      --

    State the aggregate market value of the voting stock held by 
nonaffiliates of the registrant. Not applicable. Securities are nonvoting for 
this purpose.  Refer to Item 12 for further information.
 

                      DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
       Portions of the Registrant's Annual Report to security holders for
             the year ended December 31, 1996 (Part I and II)
<PAGE>
                                                     

                             AFG INVESTMENT TRUST C
 
                                  FORM 10-K
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS





                               PART I                                 Page
                                                                      -----
Item 1.   Business............................................          3
Item 2.   Properties..........................................          5
Item 3.   Legal Proceedings...................................          5
Item 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security 
           Holders............................................          5

                               PART II                    
Item 5.   Market for the Trust's Securities and Related
           Security Holder Matters............................          6
Item 6.   Selected Financial Data.............................          7
Item 7.   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
           Condition and Results of Operations................          7
Item 8.   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.........          7
Item 9.   Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on
           Accounting and Financial Disclosure................          7

                             PART III                                    
Item 10.  Directors and Executive Officers of the Trust.......          8
Item 11.  Executive Compensation..............................         10
Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners 
           and Management.....................................         10
Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions......         11

                            PART IV                                          
Item 14.  Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and 
           Reports on Form 8-K................................      13-14


                                             2

<PAGE>
PART I
 
ITEM 1. BUSINESS.
 
    (a) General Development of Business
 
    AFG Investment Trust C (the "Trust") was organized as a Delaware business 
trust in accordance with the Delaware Business Trust Act (the "Act") on 
August 31, 1992 for the purpose of acquiring and leasing to third parties a 
diversified portfolio of capital equipment. Participants' capital initially 
consisted of contributions of $1,000 from the Managing Trustee, AFG ASIT 
Corporation, $1,000 from the Special Beneficiary, Equis Financial Group 
Limited Partnership (formerly American Finance Group), a Massachusetts 
limited partnership ("EFG"), and $100 from the Initial Beneficiary, AFG 
Assignor Corporation, a wholly-owned affiliate of EFG or the "Advisor". The 
Trust issued 571,830 Beneficiary Interests to 692 investors for an aggregate 
purchase price of $14,295,750 on December 15, 1992, its first Interim Close. 
Eight subsequent Interim Closings in 1992 and 1993 have resulted in the 
issuance by the Trust of an additional 1,439,184 Beneficiary Interests to 
1,785 investors for an aggregate purchase price of $35,979,600. The Trust's 
Final Closing occurred on September 2, 1993.  In total, the Trust has issued 
2,011,014 Beneficiary Interest representing a total purchase price of 
$50,275,350 to 2,477 investors.  The Trust has one Managing Trustee, AFG ASIT 
Corporation, a Massachusetts corporation and affiliate of EFG, and one 
Special Beneficiary, EFG. The Managing Trustee and the Special Beneficiary 
are not required to make any other capital contributions except as may be 
required under the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust (the "Trust 
Agreement").  

    (b) Financial Information About Industry Segments
 
    The Trust is engaged in only one industry segment: the business of 
acquiring capital equipment and leasing the equipment to creditworthy lessees 
on a full-payout or operating lease basis. Full-payout leases are those in 
whichaggregate noncancellable rents equal or exceed the Purchase Price of the 
leased equipment. Operating leases are those in which the aggregate 
noncancellable rental payments are less than the Purchase Price of the leased 
equipment. Industry segment data is not applicable.
 
    (c) Narrative Description of Business
 
    The Trust was organized to acquire a diversified portfolio of capital 
equipment subject to various full-payout and operating leases and to lease 
the equipment to third parties as income-producing investments. More 
specifically, the Trust's primary investment objectives are to acquire and 
lease equipment which will:
 
    1. Generate monthly cash distributions;
 
    2. Preserve and protect Trust capital; and
 
    3. Maximize residual value for ultimate sale.
 
    The Trust has the additional objective of providing certain federal 
income tax benefits.
 
    Significant operations commenced coincident with the Trust's initial 
purchase of equipment and associated lease commitments on December 15, 1992. 
The acquisition of the equipment and its associated leases is described in 
detail in Note 3 to the financial statements included in Item 14, herein. The 
Trust is expected to terminate by December 31 of the eleventh year following 
its Final Closing Date, or December 31, 2004.
 
    The Trust has no employees; however, it entered into a Advisory Agreement 
with EFG. EFG's role, among other things, is to (i) evaluate, select, 
negotiate and consummate the acquisition of equipment, (ii) manage the 
leasing, re-leasing, financing and refinancing of equipment, and (iii) 
arrange the resale of equipment. The Advisor is compensated for such services 
as described in the Trust Agreement, Item 13 herein, and in Note 4 to the 
financial statements included in Item 14, herein.

                                             3
<PAGE>
 
    The Trust's investment in equipment is, and will continue to be, subject 
to various risks, including physical deterioration, technological 
obsolescence and defaults by lessees. A principal business risk of owning and 
leasing equipment is the possibility that aggregate lease revenues and 
equipment sale proceeds will be insufficient to provide an acceptable rate of 
return on invested capital after payment of all debt service costs and 
operating expenses. Consequently, the success of the Trust is largely 
dependent upon the ability of the Managing Trustee and its Affiliates to 
forecast technological advances, the ability of the lessees to fulfill their 
lease obligations and the quality and marketability of the equipment at the 
time of sale.
 
    In addition, the leasing industry is very competitive. Although all funds 
available for acquisitions have been invested in equipment, subject to 
noncancellable lease agreements, the Trust will encounter considerable 
competition when equipment is re-leased or sold at the expiration of primary 
lease terms. The Trust will compete with lease programs offered directly by 
manufacturers and other equipment leasing companies, including business 
trusts and limited partnerships organized and managed similarly to the Trust 
and including other EFG-sponsored partnerships and trusts, which may seek to 
re-lease or sell equipment within their own portfolios to the same customers 
as the Trust. Many competitors have greater financial resources and more 
experience than the Trust, the Managing Trustee and the Advisor.
 
    The Trust Agreement provides for the reinvestment of Cash From Sales or 
Refinancings in additional equipment until September 1997, a period of four 
years following the Final Closing. Upon the expiration of each primary lease 
term, the Managing Trustee will determine whether to sell or re-lease the 
Trust's equipment, depending on the economic advantages of each alternative.  
Over time, the Trust will begin to liquidate its portfolio of equipment.
 
    Revenue from major individual lessees which accounted for 10% or more of 
lease revenue during the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 is 
incorporated herein by reference to Note 2 to the financial statements in the 
1996 Annual Report. Refer to Item 14(a)(3) for lease agreements filed with 
the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
    Default by a lessee under a lease agreement may cause equipment to be 
returned to the Trust at a time when the Managing Trustee or the Advisor is 
unable to arrange the sale or re-lease of such equipment. This could result 
in the loss of a portion of potential lease revenues and weaken the Trust's 
ability to repay related indebtedness.
 
    EFG is a Massachusetts limited partnership formerly known as American 
Finance Group ("AFG"). AFG was established in 1988 as a Massachusetts general 
partnership and succeeded American Finance Group, Inc., a Massachusetts 
corporation organized in 1980. EFG and its subsidiaries (collectively, the 
"Company") are engaged in various aspects of the equipment leasing business, 
including EFG's role as Equipment Manager or Advisor to the Trust and several 
other Direct-Participation equipment leasing programs sponsored or 
co-sponsored by AFG (the "Other Investment Programs"). The Company arranges 
to broker or originate equipment leases, acts as remarketing agent and asset 
manager, and provides leasing support services, such as billing, collecting, 
and asset tracking.
 
    The general partner of EFG, with a 1% controlling interest, is Equis 
Corporation, a Massachusetts corporation owned and controlled entirely by 
Gary D. Engle, its President and Chief Executive Officer. Equis Corporation 
also owns a controlling 1% general partner interest in EFG's 99% limited 
partner, GDE Acquisition Limited Partnership ("GDE LP"). Equis Corporation 
and GDE LP were established in December 1994 by Mr. Engle for the sole 
purpose of acquiring the business of AFG.
 
    In January 1996, the Company sold certain assets of AFG relating 
primarily to the business of originating new leases, and the name "American 
Finance Group," and its acronym to a third party (the "Buyer"). AFG changed 
its name to Equis Financial Group Limited Partnership after the sale was 
concluded. Pursuant to terms of the sale agreements, EFG agreed not to 
compete with the Buyer's lease origination business for a period of five 
years; however, EFG is permitted to originate certain equipment leases, 
principally those involving non-investment grade lessees and ocean-going 
vessels, which are not in competition with the Buyer. In addition, the sale 
agreements specifically reserved to EFG the rights to continue using the name 
American Finance Group and its 

                                    4

<PAGE>


acronym in connection with the Trust and the Other Investment Programs and to 
continue managing all assets owned by the Trust and the Other Investment 
Programs, including the right to satisfy all required equipment acquisitions 
utilizing either brokers or the Buyer. Geoffrey A. MacDonald, Chairman of 
Equis Corporation and Gary D. Engle agreed not to compete with the sold 
business on terms and conditions similar to those for the Company.
 
    (d) Financial Information About Foreign and Domestic Operations and 
        Export Sales
 
    Not applicable.
 
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.
 
    Incorporated herein by reference to Note 3 to the financial statements in 
the 1996 Annual Report.
 
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
 
    Incorporated herein by reference to Note 7 to the financial statements in 
the 1996 Annual Report.
 
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.
 
    Incorporated herein by reference to Note 8 to the financial statements in 
the 1996 Annual Report.
 
                                             5
<PAGE>

PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE TRUST'S SECURITIES AND RELATED SECURITY HOLDER MATTERS.
 
    (a) Market Information
 
    There is no public market for the resale of the Interests and it is not 
anticipated that a public market for resale of the Interests will develop.
 
    (b) Approximate Number of Security Holders
 
    At December 31, 1996, there were 2,213 Beneficiaries in the Trust.
 
    (c) Dividend History and Restrictions
 
    Pursuant to Article VIII of the Trust Agreement, the Trust's 
Distributable Cash From Operations and Distributable Cash From Sales or 
Refinancings (each as defined below) are determined and distributed to the 
Trust's Participants monthly. Each monthly distribution may vary in amount. 
Currently, there are no restrictions that materially limit the Trust's 
ability to distribute Distributable Cash From Operations and Distributable 
Cash From Sales or Refinancings or that the Trust believes are likely to 
materially limit the future distribution of Distributable Cash From 
Operations and Distributable Cash From Sales or Refinancings. The Trust 
expects to continue to distribute Distributable Cash From Operations and 
Distributable Cash From Sales or Refinancings on a monthly basis.
 
    Distributions in 1996 and 1995 were as follows:
 
<TABLE>

<CAPTION>
                                                               MANAGING      SPECIAL
                                                 TOTAL         TRUSTEE     BENEFICIARY  BENEFICIARIES
                                             --------------  ------------  -----------  ------------
<S>                                          <C>             <C>           <C>          <C>           
Total 1996 distributions...................   $  3,071,366   $  30,714   $    253,387  $  2,787,265

Total 1995 distributions...................      4,653,586      46,536         383,921    4,223,129
                                             --------------  ------------  -----------  ------------  
                                              $  7,724,952   $  77,250   $     637,308 $  7,010,394
                                             --------------  ------------  -----------  ------------  
                                             --------------  ------------  -----------  ------------  
</TABLE>
 
    Distributions payable at December 31, 1996 and 1995 were $302,484 and 
$232,679, respectively.
 
    "Distributable Cash From Operations" means the net cash provided by the 
Trust's normal operations after general expenses and current liabilities of 
the Trust are paid, reduced by any reserves for working capital and 
contingent liabilities to be funded from such cash, to the extent deemed 
reasonable by the Managing Trustee, and increased by any portion of such 
reserves deemed by the Managing Trustee not to be required for Trust 
operations and reduced by all accrued and unpaid Equipment Management Fees 
and, after Payout, further reduced by all accrued and unpaid Subordinated 
Remarketing Fees. Distributable Cash From Operations does not include any 
Distributable Cash From Sales or Refinancings.
 
    "Distributable Cash From Sales or Refinancings" means Cash From Sales or 
Refinancings as reduced by (i)(a) amounts reinvested in additional equipment 
in accordance with Sections 4.2(b)(v) and 4.2(b)(vi) of the Trust Agreement, 
or (b)the proceeds from the sale of an interest in a joint venture which are 
reinvested in additional equipment, (ii) any accrued and unpaid Equipment 
Management Fee and Acquisition Fees and Acquisition Expenses paid with 
respect to additional equipment acquired throughreinvestment of Cash From 
Sales or Refinancings in accordance with Section 4.2(b)(v) of the Trust 
Agreement and (iii) after Payout, any accrued and unpaid Subordinated Resale 
Fees.

                                             6
<PAGE>
 
    "Cash From Sales or Refinancings" means cash received by the Trust from 
sale or refinancing transactions, as reduced by (i)(a) all debts and 
liabilities of the Trust required to be paid as a result of sale or 
refinancing transactions, whether or not then due and payable (including any 
liabilities on an item of equipment sold which are not assumed by the buyer 
and any remarketing fees required to be paid to persons not affiliated with 
the Managing Trustee, but not including any Subordinated Resale Fees whether 
or not then due and payable) and (b) general expenses and current liabilities 
of the Trust and (c) any reserves for working capital and contingent 
liabilities funded from such cash to the extent deemed reasonable by the 
Managing Trustee and (ii) increased by any portion of such reserves deemed by 
the Managing Trustee not to be required for Trust operations. In the event 
the Trust accepts a note in connection with any sale or refinancing 
transaction, all payments subsequently received in cash by the Trust with 
respect to such note shall be included in Cash From Sales or Refinancings, 
regardless of the treatment of such payments by the Trust for tax or 
accounting purposes. If the Trust receives purchase money obligations in 
payment for equipment sold, which are secured by liens on such equipment, the 
amount of such obligations shall not be included in Cash From Sales or 
Refinancings until the obligations are fully satisfied.
 
    Each distribution of Distributable Cash From Operations and Distributable 
Cash From Sales or Refinancings of the Trust shall be made 90.75% to the 
Beneficiaries, 8.25% to the Special Beneficiary and 1% to the Managing 
Trustee.
 
    "Payout" is defined as the first time when the aggregate amount of all 
distributions to the Beneficiaries of Distributable Cash From Operations and 
Distributable Cash From Sales or Refinancings equals the aggregate amount of 
the Beneficiaries' original capital contributions plus a cumulative annual 
distribution of 10% (compounded quarterly and calculated beginning with the 
last day of the month of the Trust's Closing Date) on their aggregate 
unreturned capital contributions. For purposes of this definition, capital 
contributions shall be deemed to have been returned only to the extent that 
distributions of cash to the Beneficiaries exceed the amount required to 
satisfy the cumulative annual distribution of 10% (compounded quarterly) on 
the Beneficiaries' aggregate unreturned capital contributions, such 
calculation to be based on the aggregate unreturned capital contributions 
outstanding on the first day of each month.
 
    Distributable Cash From Operations and Distributable Cash From Sales or 
Refinancings ("Distributions") must be distributed within 45 days after the 
completion of each calendar month. Each Distribution is described in a 
statement sent to the Beneficiaries.  

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.
 
      Incorporated herein by reference to the section entitled "Selected 
Financial Data" in the 1996 Annual Report.
 
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND 
        RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
 
      Incorporated herein by reference to the section entitled "Management's 
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in 
the 1996 Annual Report.
 
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
 
      Incorporated herein by reference to the financial statements and 
supplementary data included in the 1996 Annual Report.
 
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND  
        FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
 
      None.
 
                                7
<PAGE>

PART III
 
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE TRUST.
- ------------------------------------------------------

    (a-b) Identification of Directors and Executive Officers
 
    THE TRUST HAS NO DIRECTORS OR OFFICERS.  As indicated in Item 1 of this 
report, AFG ASIT Corporation is the Managing Trustee of the Trust. Under the 
Trust Agreement, the Managing Trustee is solely responsible for the operation 
of the Trust's properties and the Beneficiaries have no right to participate 
in the control of such operations. The names, titles and ages of the 
Directors and Executive Officers of the Managing Trustee as of March 15, 1997 
are as follows:
 
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS 
OF THE MANAGING TRUSTEE (See Item 13)
- ------------------------------------ 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

NAME                                          TITLE                          AGE                 TERM
- -------------------------     -------------------------------------      ------------        -----------
<S>                                       <C>                                 <C>               <C>

Geoffrey A. MacDonald           Chairman and a member of the                                   Until a
                                Executive Committee of EFG                                    successor
                                and President and a Director                                   is duly 
                                of the Managing Trustee                        48              elected
                                                                                                 and
Gary D. Engle                   Presient and Chief Executive Officer                           qualified
                                and member of the Executive
                                Committee of EFG and a Director
                                of the Managing Trustee                        48

Gary M. Romano                  Executive Vice President and Chief
                                Operating Officer of EFG and
                                Clerk of the Managing Trustee                  37

Michael J. Butterfield          Vice President, Finance and Treasurer
                                of EFG and Tresurer of the
                                Managing Trustee                               37

James A. Coyne                  Senior Vice President of EFG and
                                Vice President of the Managing Trustee         36

James F. Livesey                Vice President, Aircraft and Vessels
                                of EFG                                         47

Sandra L. Simonsen              Senior Vice President, Information Systems
                                of EFG                                         46

Gail D. Ofgant                  Vice President, Lease Operations               31
                                of EFG


</TABLE>

    (c) Identification of Certain Significant Persons 

    None.
 
    (d) Family Relationship
 
    No family relationship exists among any of the foregoing Directors or 
      Executive Officers.
 
                                       8

<PAGE>

    (e) Business Experience
 
    Mr. MacDonald, age 48, is a co-founder, Chairman and a member of the 
Executive Committee of EFG and President and a Director of the Managing 
Trustee. Mr. MacDonald was also a co-founder, Director and Senior Vice 
President of EFG's predecessor corporation from 1980 to 1988. Mr. MacDonald 
is Vice President of American Finance Group Securities Corp. and a limited 
partner in Atlantic Acquisition Limited Partnership ("AALP"). Prior to 
co-founding EFG's predecessors, Mr. MacDonald held various executive and 
management positions in the leasing and pharmaceutical industries. Mr. 
MacDonald holds an M.B.A. from Boston College and a B.A. degree from the 
University of Massachusetts (Amherst).
 
    Mr. Engle, age 48, is President and Chief Executive Officer and a member 
of the Executive Committee of EFG and President of AFG Realty Corporation. 
Mr. Engle is Vice President and a Director of certain of EFG's affiliates and 
a Director of the Managing Trustee. On December 16, 1994, Mr. Engle acquired 
control of the Managing Trustee, EFG and each of EFG's subsidiaries. Mr. 
Engle controls the general partner of AALP and is also a limited partner in 
AALP. From 1987 to 1990, Mr. Engle was a principal and co-founder of Cobb 
Partners Development, Inc., a real estate and mortgage banking company. From 
1980 to 1987, Mr. Engle was Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 
of Arvida Disney Company, a large scale community development company owned 
by Walt Disney Company. Prior to 1980, Mr. Engle served in various management 
consulting and institutional brokerage capacities. Mr. Engle has an M.B.A. 
from Harvard University and a B.S. degree from the University of 
Massachusetts (Amherst).
 
    Mr. Romano, age 37, is Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
of EFG and certain of its affiliates and Clerk of the Managing Trustee. Mr.
Romano joined EFG in November 1989 and was appointed Executive Vice President
and Chief Operating Officer in April 1996. Prior to joining EFG, Mr. Romano was
Assistant Controller for a privately-held real estate company which he joined in
1987. Mr. Romano held audit staff and manager positions at Ernst & Whinney (now
Ernst & Young LLP) from 1982 to 1986. Mr. Romano is a C.P.A. and holds a B.S.
degree from Boston College.
 
    Mr. Butterfield, age 37, joined EFG in June 1992 and became Vice 
President, Finance and Treasurer of EFG and certain of its affiliates in 
April 1996 and is Treasurer of the Managing Trustee. Prior to joining EFG, 
Mr. Butterfield was an Audit Manager with Ernst & Young LLP, which he joined 
in 1987. Mr. Butterfield was employed in public accounting and industry 
positions in New Zealand and London (U.K.) prior to coming to the United 
States in 1987. Mr. Butterfield attained his Associate Chartered Accountant 
(A.C.A.) professional qualification in New Zealand and has completed his 
C.P.A. requirements in the United States. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce 
degree from the University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
 
    Mr. Coyne, age 36, is Senior Vice President of EFG. Mr. Coyne joined EFG 
in 1989, remained until May 1993, and rejoined EFG in November 1994. From May 
1993 through November 1994, he was with the Raymond Company, a private 
investment firm, where he was responsible for financing corporate and real 
estate acquisitions. From 1985 through 1989, Mr. Coyne was affiliated with a 
real estate investment company and an equipment leasing company. Prior to 
1985 he was with the accounting firm of Ernst & Whinney (now Ernst & Young 
LLP). He has a BS in Business Administration from John Carroll University, a 
Masters Degree in Accounting from Case Western Reserve University and is a 
Certified Public Accountant.
 
    Mr. Livesey, age 47, is Vice President, Aircraft and Vessels, of EFG. Mr. 
Livesey joined EFG in October, 1989, and was promoted to Vice President in 
January 1992. Prior to joining AFG, Mr. Livesey held sales and marketing 
positions with two privately-held equipment leasing firms. Mr. Livesey holds 
an M.B.A. from Boston College and B.A. degree from Stonehill College.
 
    Ms. Simonsen, age 46, joined AFG in February 1990 and was promoted to 
Senior Vice President, Information Systems in April 1996. Prior to joining 
AFG, Ms. Simonsen was Vice President, Information Systems with Investors 
Mortgage Insurance Company which she joined in 1973. Ms. Simonsen provided 
systems consulting for a subsidiary of American International Group and 
authored a software program published by IBM. Ms. Simonsen holds a B.A. 
degree from Wilson College.

                                       9

<PAGE>
 
    Ms. Ofgant, age 31, joined EFG in July 1989, and is currently Vice 
President, Lease Operations. Ms. Ofgant held the position of Manager, Lease 
Operations at EFG through March, 1996. Prior to joining EFG, Ms. Ofgant was 
employed by Security Pacific National Trust Company. Ms. Ofgant holds a BS 
Degree in Finance from Providence College.
 
    (f) Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings
 
    None.
 
    (g) Promoters and Control Persons
 
    See Item 10 (a-b) above.
 
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
 
    (a) Cash Compensation
 
    Currently, the Trust has no employees. However, under the terms of the 
Trust Agreement, the Trust is obligated to pay all costs of personnel 
employed full or part-time by the Trust, including officers or employees of 
the Managing Trustee or its Affiliates. There is no plan at the present time 
to make any officers or employees of the Managing Trustee or its Affiliates 
employees of the Trust. The Trust has not paid and does not propose to pay 
any options, warrants or rights to the officers or employees of the Managing 
Trustee or its Affiliates.
 
    (b) Compensation Pursuant to Plans
 
    None.
 
    (c) Other Compensation
 
    Although the Trust has no employees, as discussed in Item 11(a), pursuant 
to section 10.4(c) of the Trust Agreement, the Trust incurs a monthly charge 
for personnel costs of EFG for persons engaged in providing administrative 
services to the Trust. A description of the remuneration paid by the Trust to 
the Managing Trustee and its Affiliates for such services is included in Item 
13, herein and in Note 4 to the financial statements included in Item 14, 
herein.
 
    (d) Compensation of Directors
 
    None.
 
    (e) Termination of Employment and Change of Control Arrangement
 
    There exists no remuneration plan or arrangement with the Managing 
Trustee or its Affiliates which results or may result from their resignation, 
retirement or any other termination.
 
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    By virtue of its organization as a trust, the Trust has no outstanding 
securities possessing traditional voting rights. However, as provided in 
Section 11.2(a) of the Trust Agreement (subject to Section 11.2(b)), a 
majority interest of the Beneficiaries have voting rights with respect to:
 
    1. Amendment of the Trust Agreement;
 
    2. Termination of the Trust;

    3. Removal of the Managing Trustee; and

                                       10

<PAGE>

 
    4. Approval or disapproval of the sale of all or substantially all of the 
assets of the Trust (except in the orderly liquidation of the Trust upon its 
termination and dissolution).
 
    No person or group is known by the Managing Trustee to own beneficially 
more than 5% of the Trust's 2,011,014 outstanding Interests as of March 1, 
1997.
 
    The ownership and organization of EFG is described in Item 1 of this 
report.
 
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.
- --------------------------------------------------------
 
    The Managing Trustee of the Trust is AFG ASIT Corporation, an affiliate of
EFG.
 
    (a) Transactions with Management and Others
 
    All operating expenses incurred by the Trust are paid by EFG on behalf of 
the Trust and EFG is reimbursed at its actual cost for such expenditures. 
Fees and other costs incurred during the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 
and 1994, which were paid or accrued by the Trust to EFG or its Affiliates, 
are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         1996           1995             1994
                                                     ------------  ------------  ---------------
<S>                                                  <C>           <C>             <C>    
Equipment acquisition fees.........................  $     69,712  $    242,898    $    100,889
Equipment management fees..........................       962,622       838,282         725,439
Administrative charges.............................        57,379        21,000          12,000
Reimbursable operating expenses due to third
  due to third  parties............................       369,267       170,786         188,894
Interest on notes payable - affiliate..............             -         1,063          85,967
                                                      -----------  ------------    -------------

                             Total ................  $  1,458,980   $ 1,274,029    $  1,113,189
                                                      -----------  ------------  ---------------
                                                      -----------  ------------  ---------------
</TABLE>
 
    As provided under the terms of the Trust Agreement, EFG is compensated 
for its services to the Trust. Such services include all aspects of 
acquisition, management and sale of equipment. For acquisition services, EFG 
is compensated by an amount equal to .28% of Equipment Base Price paid by the 
Trust. For acquisition services resulting from reinvestment, EFG is 
compensated by an amount equal to 3% of Equipment Base Price paid by the 
Trust. For management services, EFG is compensated by an amount equal to the 
lesser of (i) 5% of gross operating lease rental revenue and 2% of gross full 
payout lease rental revenue received by the Trust or (ii) fees which the 
Managing Trustee reasonably believes to be competitive for similar services 
for similar equipment. Both of these fees are subject to certain limitations 
defined in the Trust Agreement. Compensation to EFG for services connected to 
the remarketing of equipment is calculated as the lesser of (i) 3% of gross 
sale proceeds or (ii) one-half of reasonable brokerage fees otherwise payable 
under arm's length circumstances. Payment of the remarketing fee is 
subordinated to Payout and is subject to certain limitations defined in the 
Trust Agreement.
 
    Administrative charges represent amounts owed to EFG, pursuant to Section 
10.4(c) of the Trust Agreement, for persons employed by EFG who are engaged 
in providing administrative services to the Trust. Reimbursable operating 
expenses due to third parties represent costs paid by EFG on behalf of the 
Trust which are reimbursed to EFG.
 
    All equipment was purchased from EFG, one of its Affiliates or directly 
from third-party sellers. The Trust's Purchase Price is determined by the 
method described in Note 2 to the financial statements included in Item 14, 
herein.
 
    All rents and proceeds from the sale of equipment are paid by the lessee 
directly to either EFG or to a lender. EFG temporarily deposits collected 
funds in a separate interest-bearing escrow account prior to remittance to 
the Trust. At December 31, 1996, the Trust was owed $2,637,639 by EFG for 
such funds and the 

                                       11

<PAGE>


interest thereon. This balance includes equipment sale proceeds of 
approximately $2,265,000 which relate to the sale of the Trust's interest 
in a vessel in December 1996. Debt proceeds of $3,846,898, which relate 
to the leveraging of certain rail equipment in the Trust's portfolio, 
were deposited into the escrow account on December 31, 1996. These funds were
remitted to the Trust in January 1997.
 
    (b) Certain Business Relationships
 
    None.
 
    (c) Indebtedness of Management to the Trust
 
    None.
 
    (d) Transactions with Promoters
 
    See Item 13(a) above.


                                       12



<PAGE>

PART IV
 
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.
 
    (a) Documents filed as part of this report:
 
<TABLE>
<S>              <C>                                                                                   <C>
         (1)     Financial Statements:

                 Report of Independent Auditors .....................................................   *

                 Statement of Financial Position 
                 at December 31, 1996 and 1995 ......................................................   *

                 Statement of Operations 
                 for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 ...............................   *

                 Statement of Changes in Participants' Capital 
                 for the years ended December 31,  1996, 1995 and 1994 ...............................  *

                 Statement of Cash Flows 
                 for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 ................................   *

                 Notes to the Financial Statements ...................................................   *

         (2)     Financial Statement Schedules: 

                 None required.   
                                   
         (3)     Exhibits:                                           

                 Except as set forth below, all Exhibits to Form 10-K, as set forth in Item
                 601 of Regulation S-K, are not applicable.
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
    Exhibit
    Number
    -------

<C>        <S>
        4    Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust included as Exhibit A to the Prospectus
             which is included in Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 33-42946).
       13    The 1996 Annual Report to security holders, a copy of which is furnished for the
             information of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such Report, except for those
             portions thereof which are incorporated herein by reference, is not deemed "filed"
             with the Commission.
       23    Consent of Independent Auditors.
       99(a) Lease agreement with Stena Bulk AB was filed in the Registrant's Annual Report on Form
             10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994 as Exhibit 28 (g) and is incorporated herein
             by reference.
</TABLE>
 
    (b) Reports on Form 8-K
 
        None. 

* Incorporated herein by reference to the appropriate portion of the 1996
Annual Report to security holders for the year ended December 31, 1996. (See 
Part II)
 
                                       13

<PAGE>
                                                                 Exhibit 23
 
                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
    We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Annual Report (Form 
10-K) of AFG Investment Trust C of our report dated March 14, 1997, included 
in the 1996 Annual Report to Participants of AFG Investment Trust C.
 
                                                          ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 






Boston, Massachusetts 
March 14, 1997


 
                                       14
<PAGE>


                                   SIGNATURES
 
    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this 
report has been signed below on behalf of the registrant and in the capacity 
and on the date indicated.
 
                             AFG INVESTMENT TRUST C
 
                         By: AFG ASIT Corporation, 
                         a Massachusetts corporation and the 
                         Managing Trustee of the Registrant.


 
By: /s/ Geoffrey A. MacDonald                 By: /s/ Gary D. Engle 
    --------------------------------              ------------------------------
Geoffrey A. MacDonald                        Gary D. Engle
Chairman and a member of the                 President and Chief Executive
Executive Committee of EFG and               Officer and a member of the 
President and a Director of the              Executive Committee of EFG and a
Managing Trustee                             Director of the Managing Trustee 
                                             (Principal Executive Officer)
 
Date: March 31, 1997                         Date: March 31, 1997
     ------------------------------                -----------------------------
 
By: /s/ Gary M. Romano                         By: /s/ Michael J. Butterfield 
    --------------------------------               -----------------------------
Gary M. Romano                               Michael J. Butterfield
Executive Vice President and Chief           Vice President, Finance and 
Operating Officer of EFG and Clerk           Treasurer of EFG and Treasurer 
of the Managing Trustee                      of the Managing Trustee
(Principal Financial Officer)                (Principal Accounting Officer)

Date: March 31, 1997                         Date: March 31, 1997
      -----------------------------                -----------------------------


                                       15

<PAGE>


SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION TO BE FURNISHED WITH REPORTS FILED PURSUANT TO 
SECTION 15(D) OF THE ACT BY REGISTRANTS WHICH HAVE NOT REGISTERED SECURITIES 
PURSUANT TO SECTION 12 OF THE ACT.
 
    No annual report has been sent to the Beneficiaries. A report will be 
furnished to the Beneficiaries subsequent to the date hereof.
 
    No proxy statement has been or will be sent to the Beneficiaries.
 
 
                                       16

<PAGE>



                              AFG INVESTMENT TRUST
 







                             AFG INVESTMENT TRUST C
 
              Annual Report to the Participants, December 31, 1996
 
<PAGE>



                             AFG Investment Trust C
 
                   INDEX TO ANNUAL REPORT TO THE PARTICIPANTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          PAGE
                                                                                        ---------
<S>                                                                                     <C>
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA...............................................................          2
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
  OPERATIONS..........................................................................        3-7
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:
Report of Independent Auditors........................................................          8
Statement of Financial Position at December 31, 1996 and 1995.........................          9
Statement of Operations for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994..........         10
Statement of Changes in Participants' Capital for the years ended December 31, 1996,
  1995 and 1994.......................................................................         11
Statement of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994..........         12
Notes to the Financial Statements.....................................................      13-22
ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
Schedule of Excess (Deficiency) of Total Cash Generated to Cost of Equipment
  Disposed............................................................................         23
Statement of Cash and Distributable Cash From Operations, Sales and Refinancings......         24
Schedule of Costs Reimbursed to the Managing Trustee and its Affiliates as Required by
  Section 10.4 of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust.......................         25
</TABLE>
 
                                      -1-
<PAGE>

                            SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 
    The following data should be read in conjunction with Management's 
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and 
the financial statements.
 
    For the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995, 1994 and 1993 and for the 
period December 15, 1992 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 1992:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Summary of Operations                      1996           1995           1994           1993           1992
- ---------------------                  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
<S>                                    <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
Lease revenue........................  $  27,695,097  $  21,605,260  $  19,732,736  $   8,986,191  $      40,491
Net income (loss)....................  $      85,636  $   2,916,460  $   3,566,958  $     929,017  $    (272,423)
Per Beneficiary Interest: Net income
  (loss).............................  $        0.04  $        1.32  $        1.61  $        0.57  $       (0.43)
  Cash distributions.................  $        1.39  $        2.10  $        2.52  $        2.62  $        0.21

Financial Position
- ------------------
Total assets.........................  $  55,127,347  $  68,469,022  $  76,477,918  $  85,794,129  $  30,190,464
Total long-term obligations..........  $  19,084,751  $  29,517,713  $  35,459,424  $  36,455,647  $   9,278,623
Participants' capital................  $  35,053,486  $  38,039,216  $  39,776,342  $  41,793,687  $  14,253,184
</TABLE>


                                      -2-

<PAGE>
 
                    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                 FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
               Year ended December 31, 1996 compared to the year 
         ended December 31, 1995 and the year ended December 31, 1995 
                compared to the year ended December 31, 1994
 
OVERVIEW
 
    As an equipment leasing trust, AFG Investment Trust C (the "Trust") was 
organized to acquire a diversified portfolio of capital equipment subject to 
lease agreements with third parties. The Trust was designed to progress 
through three principal phases: acquisitions, operations, and liquidation. 
During the operations phase, a period of approximately six years, all 
equipment in the Trust's portfolio will progress through various stages. 
Initially, all equipment will generate rental revenues under primary term 
lease agreements. During the life of the Trust, these agreements will expire 
on an intermittent basis and equipment held pursuant to the related leases 
will be renewed, re-leased or sold, depending on prevailing market conditions 
and the assessment of such conditions by Equis Financial Group Limited 
Partnership (formerly American Finance Group), a Massachusetts limited 
partnership ("EFG") to obtain the most advantageous economic benefit. Over 
time, a greater portion of the Trust's original equipment portfolio will 
become available for remarketing and cash generated from operations and from 
sales or refinancings will begin to fluctuate. Ultimately, all equipment will 
be sold and the Trust will be dissolved. The Trust's operations commenced in 
1992.
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
    For the year ended December 31, 1996, the Trust recognized lease revenue 
of $27,695,097 compared to $21,605,260 and $19,732,736 for the years ended 
December 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively. The increase in lease revenue from 
1995 to 1996 is due primarily to the recognition of early termination 
proceeds received in connection with the Trust's sale of its interest in a 
vessel, discussed below. The increase in lease revenue from 1994 to 1995 was 
due to the acquisition of additional equipment in 1994 and 1995, including 
the effects of reinvestment. The Trust's original equipment acquisition and 
leveraging processes were completed in 1995. In the near-term, lease revenue 
is expected to increase, due to reinvestment of available proceeds in other 
equipment, including cash proceeds realized from the Trust's sale of its 
interest in a Boeing 747-SP aircraft leased to United Air Lines, Inc. (the 
"United Aircraft") in February 1996 and the net proceeds resulting from the 
Trust's sale of its interest in a vessel to the lessee (see below). Over 
time, the level of lease revenue will decline due to the expiration of the 
Trust's primary lease term agreements. The Trust also earns interest income 
from temporary investments of rental receipts and equipment sales proceeds in 
short-term instruments.
 
    The Trust's equipment portfolio includes certain assets in which the 
Trust holds a proportionate ownership interest. In such cases, the remaining 
interests are owned by EFG or an affiliated equipment leasing program 
sponsored by EFG. Proportionate equipment ownership enables the Trust to 
further diversify its equipment portfolio by participating in the ownership 
of selected assets, thereby reducing the general levels of risk which could 
result from a concentration in any single equipment type, industry or lessee. 
The Trust and each affiliate individually report, in proportion to their 
respective ownership interests, their respective shares of assets, 
liabilities, revenues, and expenses associated with the equipment.
 
    On February 5, 1996, the Trust concluded the sale of its interest in a 
Boeing 747-SP to the lessee, United Air Lines, Inc., ("United"). The Trust 
recognized a net loss of $1,313,122 in connection with this transaction, of 
which $880,717 was recognized as Write-Down of Equipment in 1995. The 
remainder of $432,405 was recognized as a loss on sale of equipment on the 
accompanying financial statements for the year ended December 31, 1996. In 
addition to lease rents, the Trust received net sale proceeds of $4,048,779 
from United for the aircraft. The Trust plans to have completed the 
reinvestment of all such proceeds in other equipment by December 31, 1997, a 
portion of which was completed in March 1996 through the acquisition of an 
8.86% ownership interest in an aircraft (the "Reno Aircraft") at an aggregate 
cost of $1,239,741. To acquire its interest in the Reno Aircraft, the Trust 
obtained long-term financing of $997,888 from a third-party lender and 
utilized cash proceeds of $241,853 from the sale of the United Aircraft. In 
addition, cash 

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

proceeds of $257,219 were utilized in 1996, to acquire certain construction 
and mining equipment. During the year ended December 31, 1996, the Trust sold 
other equipment having a net book value of $9,566,298 to existing lessees and 
third parties. These sales resulted in net a loss, for financial statement 
purposes, of $6,939,466. The equipment sales in 1996 included the Trust's 
interest in a vessel with an original cost and net book value of $13,014,544 
and $9,075,095, respectively, which the Trust sold to an existing lessee in 
December 1996. In connection with this sale, the Trust realized aggregate 
cash proceeds of $9,570,166, consisting of early termination proceeds of 
$7,304,730 and sale proceeds of $2,265,436. For financial statement purposes, 
the Trust recognized a net loss of $6,809,659, excluding early termination 
proceeds recognized as lease revenue on the accompanying Statement of 
Operations. This equipment was sold prior to the expiration of the related 
lease term. The Trust intends to reinvest these proceeds, net of associated 
debt, in other equipment in 1997.
 
    During 1995, the Trust sold equipment having a net book value of 
$4,687,353 to existing lessees and third parties. These sales resulted in a 
net loss, for financial statement purposes, of $185,044. The equipment sales 
included the Trust's interest in a vessel with an original cost and net book 
value of $6,199,161 and $4,612,874, respectively, which the Trust sold to the 
existing lessee in June 1995. In connection with this sale, the Trust 
realized sale proceeds of $4,091,193 and the purchaser assumed related debt 
and interest of $308,476 and $1,988, respectively, which resulted in a net 
loss, for financial statement purposes, of $211,217. This equipment was sold 
prior to the expiration of its related lease term. The sale proceeds were 
fully reinvested in other equipment in 1995. The Trust received $228,700 in 
1996 from the lessee related to a residual sharing agreement between the 
lessee and the Trust. In connection with this agreement, the Trust was 
entitled to a portion of the sale proceeds realized by the lessee upon its 
ultimate disposition of the vessel to a third party. This amount is reflected 
as Other Income on the accompanying Statement of Operations.
 
    During 1994, the Trust sold equipment having a net book value of 
$2,609,383 to existing lessees and third parties. These sales resulted in a 
net gain, for financial statement purposes, of $427,107. The equipment sales 
included certain railroad equipment with an original cost and net book value 
of $2,924,697 and $2,472,909, respectively, which the Trust sold to a third 
party in March 1994. In connection with this sale, the Trust realized sales 
proceeds of $812,853 and the purchaser assumed related debt of $2,078,997, 
which resulted in a net gain, for financial statement purposes, of $418,941. 
This equipment was sold prior to the expiration of the related lease term. 
The sales proceeds were subsequently reinvested in other equipment.
 
    It cannot be determined whether future sales of equipment will result in 
a net gain or net loss to the Trust, as such transactions will be dependent 
upon the condition and type of equipment being sold and its marketability at 
the time of sale. In addition, the amount of gain or loss reported for 
financial statement purposes is partly a function of the amount of 
accumulated depreciation associated with the equipment being sold.
 
    The ultimate realization of residual value for any type of equipment is 
dependent upon many factors, including EFG's ability to sell and re-lease 
equipment. Changing market conditions, industry trends, technological 
advances and many other events can converge to enhance or detract from asset 
values at any given time. EFG attempts to monitor these changes in order to 
identify opportunities which may be advantageous to the Trust and to maximize 
total cash returns for each asset.
 
    The total economic value realized upon final disposition of each asset is 
comprised of all primary lease term revenue generated from that asset, 
together with its residual value. The latter consists of cash proceeds 
realized upon the asset's sale in addition to all other cash receipts 
obtained from renting the asset on a re-lease, renewal or month-to-month 
basis. The Trust classifies such residual rental payments as lease revenue. 
Consequently, the amount of gain or loss reported in the financial statements 
is not necessarily indicative of the total residual value the Trust achieved 
from leasing the equipment.
 
    Depreciation and amortization expense was $15,219,989, $14,488,719 and 
$13,231,942 for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, 
respectively. For financial reporting purposes, to the extent that an asset 
is held on primary lease term, the Trust depreciates the difference between 
(i) the cost of the asset and (ii) the estimated residual value of the asset 
on a straight-line basis over such term. For purposes of this policy, 
estimated residual values represent estimates of equipment values at the date 
of primary lease expiration. To the extent that an asset is held beyond its 
primary lease term, the Trust continues to depreciate the remaining net 

                                      -4-

<PAGE>

book value of the asset on a straight-line basis over the asset's remaining 
economic life. (See Note 2 to the financial statements herein). The increase 
in depreciation expense from 1994 to 1996 reflects the acquisition of 
equipment during 1994, 1995 and 1996.
 
    The Trust recorded a write-down of the carrying value of its interest in 
a Boeing 747 aircraft, representing an impairment, during the year ended 
December 31, 1996. The resulting charge, $2,400,000 ($1.08 per Beneficiary 
Interest) in 1996 was based on a comparison of the estimated net realizable 
value and corresponding net carrying value for the Trust's interest in the 
aircraft. Net realizable value was estimated based on (i) third-party 
appraisals of the Trust's aircraft and (ii) EFG's assessment of prevailing 
market conditions for similar aircraft. In recent years, market values for 
used commercial jet aircraft have deteriorated, particularly with respect to 
certain older aircraft, such as the Trust's Boeing 747, which may not meet 
noise regulation standards set to commence in 2000. In addition, consistent 
price competition and other pressures within the airline industry have 
inhibited sustained profitability for many carriers. Most major airlines have 
had to re-evaluate their aircraft fleets and operating strategies. Such 
issues complicate the determination of net realizable value for specific 
aircraft, and particularly used aircraft, because cost-benefit and market 
considerations may differ significantly between the major airlines. Aircraft 
condition, age, passenger capacity, distance capability, fuel efficiency, and 
other factors also influence market demand and market values for passenger 
jet aircraft.
 
    Interest expense was $1,775,651 or 6.4% of lease revenue for year ended 
December 31, 1996 compared to $2,263,191 or 10.5% and $2,577,357 or 13.1% of 
lease revenue in 1995 and 1994, respectively. Interest expense in the 
near-term is expected to increase due to anticipated leveraging to be 
obtained to finance the acquisition of reinvestment equipment discussed 
above. Thereafter, interest expense will decline in amount and as a 
percentage of lease revenue as the principal balance of notes payable is 
reduced through the application of rent receipts to outstanding indebtedness.
 
    Management fees were 3.5%, 3.9% and 3.7% of lease revenue for the years 
ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. Management fees are 
based on 5% of gross lease revenue generated by operating leases and 2% of 
gross lease revenue generated by full payout leases.
 
    Operating expenses consist principally of administrative charges, 
professional service costs, such as audit, insurance and legal fees, as well 
as printing, distribution and remarketing expenses. Collectively, operating 
expenses represented 1.5%, less than 1% and 1% of lease revenue for the years 
ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. The increase in 
operating expenses from 1995 to 1996 was due primarily to expenses incurred 
in connection with the sale of the Trust's interest in the vessel and 
aircraft described above. The amount of future operating expenses cannot be 
predicted with certainty; however, such expenses are usually higher during 
the acquisition and liquidation phases of a trust. Other fluctuations 
typically occur in relation to the volume and timing of remarketing 
activities.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES AND DISCUSSION OF CASH FLOWS
 
    The Trust by its nature is a limited life entity which was established 
for specific purposes described in the preceding "Overview". As an equipment 
leasing program, the Trust's principal operating activities derive from asset 
rental transactions. Accordingly, the Trust's principal source of cash from 
operations is provided by the collection of periodic rents. These cash 
inflows are used to satisfy debt service obligations associated with 
leveraged leases, and to pay management fees and operating costs. Operating 
activities generated net cash inflows of $19,511,249, $17,246,439 and 
$16,639,605 for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, 
respectively. In the near-term, net cash inflows generated from operating 
activities are expected to increase due to additional reinvestment of the 
cash proceeds from the United and vessel transactions previously discussed. 
Thereafter, renewal, re-lease and equipment sale activities will cause the 
Trust's primary-term lease revenue and corresponding sources of operating 
cash to decline. Overall, expenses associated with rental activities, such as 
management fees, and net cash flow from operating activities will decline as 
the Trust experiences a higher frequency of remarketing events.
 
    Ultimately, the Trust will dispose of all assets under lease. This will 
occur principally through sale transactions whereby each asset will be sold 
to the existing lessee or to a third party. Generally, this will occur upon 
expiration 
                                      -5-

<PAGE>

of each asset's primary or renewal/re-lease term. In certain instances, 
casualty or early termination events may result in the disposal of an asset. 
Such circumstances are infrequent and usually result in the collection of 
stipulated cash settlements pursuant to terms and conditions contained in the 
underlying lease agreements.
 
    Cash expended for asset acquisitions and cash realized from asset 
disposal transactions are reported under investing activities on the 
accompanying Statement of Cash Flows. The Trust expended $2,396,960, 
$10,830,136 and $7,754,378 to acquire equipment during the years ended 
December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively, including new equipment 
acquired pursuant to the reinvestment provisions of the Trust's Prospectus of 
approximately $2,400,000, $4,200,000 and $800,000 during the years ended 
December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. The reinvestment equipment 
was financed through a combination of leveraging and the sale proceeds 
available from the aircraft, vessel and rail transactions, discussed above. 
During 1996, the Trust realized equipment sale proceeds of $6,675,611, 
including $4,048,779 of proceeds from the United aircraft and $2,265,436 of 
proceeds from the vessel transaction. In 1995, the Trust received sale 
proceeds of $4,191,845, including $4,091,193 of proceeds from the vessel 
transaction and; in 1994, the Trust received sale proceeds of $957,493, 
including $812,853 of proceeds from the rail transaction. Future inflows of 
cash from asset disposals will vary in timing and amount and will be 
influenced by many factors including, but not limited to, the frequency and 
timing of lease expirations, the type of equipment being sold, its condition 
and age, and future market conditions.
 
    The Trust obtained long-term financing in connection with certain 
equipment leases. The origination of such indebtedness and the subsequent 
repayments of principal are reported as components of financing activities. 
Cash inflows of $13,324,892, $8,420,201 and $12,352,182 in 1996, 1995 and 
1994, respectively, resulted from leveraging a portion of the Trust's 
equipment portfolio with third-party lenders. In September 1996, the Trust 
received $7,583,333 from the refinancing of its interest in a vessel. The 
Trust repaid the existing debt associated with the vessel of $2,677,627 plus 
accrued interest thereon. (Subsequently, the indebtedness resulting from this 
refinancing was retired as a result of the asset being sold to the lessee.) 
EFG also provided interim financing of $25,080 to the Trust during 1994, 
until third-party financing was finalized. No interim financing was provided 
in 1996 and 1995. Each note payable is recourse only to the specific 
equipment financed and to the minimum rental payments contracted to be 
received during the debt amortization period (which period generally 
coincides with the lease rental term). As rental payments are collected, a 
portion or all of the rental payment is used to repay the associated 
indebtedness. The amount of cash used to repay debt in 1996 increased as a 
result of leveraging obtained in 1996 and 1995 and the refinancing described 
above. In the near-term, the amount of cash used to repay debt obligations 
will continue to increase as a result of anticipated leveraging to be 
obtained in connection with the acquisition of reinvestment equipment, 
discussed above. Thereafter, the amount will decline as the principal balance 
of notes payable is reduced through the collection and application of rents. 
However, the Trust has balloon payment obligations of $282,421 and $2,867,081 
at the expiration of the primary lease terms related to the Reno Aircraft and 
certain rail equipment, respectively.
 
    Cash distributions to the Managing Trustee, the Special Beneficiary, and 
the Beneficiaries are declared and generally paid within fifteen days 
following the end of each month. The payment of such distributions is 
presented as a component of financing activities. For the year ended December 
31, 1996, the Trust declared total cash distributions of Distributable Cash 
From Operations and Distributable Cash From Sales and Refinancings of 
$3,071,366. In accordance with the Trust Agreement, the Beneficiaries were 
allocated 90.75% of these distributions, or $2,787,265, the Special 
Beneficiary was allocated 8.25%, or $253,387, and the Managing Trustee was 
allocated 1%, or $30,714.
 
    For financial reporting purposes, the Managing Trustee and the Special 
Beneficiary each has accumulated a capital deficit at December 31, 1996. This 
is the result of aggregate cash distributions to these Participants being in 
excess of their aggregate capital contributions ($1,000 each) and their 
respective allocations of financial statement net income or loss. (See Note 2 
to the financial statements--Allocation of Profits and Losses.) Ultimately, 
the existence of a capital deficit for the Managing Trustee or the Special 
Beneficiary for financial reporting purposes is not indicative of any further 
capital obligations to the Trust by either the Managing Trustee or the 
Special Beneficiary. However, for income tax purposes, the Trust Agreement 
requires that income be allocated first to those Participants having negative 
tax capital account balances so as to eliminate any such balances. In 
accordance with the Trust Agreement, upon the dissolution of the Trust, the 
Managing Trustee will 

                                      -6-

<PAGE>

be required to contribute to the Trust an amount equal to any negative 
balance which may exist in the Managing Trustee's tax capital account. No 
such requirement exists with respect to the Special Beneficiary. At December 
31, 1996, the Managing Trustee has a positive tax capital account balance. 
(See Note 6 to the financial statements.)
 
    At December 31, 1996, the Trust had aggregate future minimum lease 
payments of $23,789,705 from contractual lease agreements (see Note 2 to the 
financial statements), of which $19,084,751 will be used to amortize the 
principal balance of notes payable (see Note 5 to the financial statements). 
Additional cash inflows will be realized from future remarketing activities, 
such as lease renewals and equipment sales, as well as from lease revenues 
generated by equipment acquisitions from the Trust's anticipated reinvestment 
activities. Presently, the Trust expects to acquire approximately $60,000,000 
of reinvestment equipment using working capital of approximately $15,000,000 
and additional indebtedness, which will be amortized from the associated 
rental streams. However, the extent of the Trust's total future reinvestment 
activities may exceed this projection as a result of future equipment sales, 
the timing and extent of which cannot be predicted with certainty. This is 
because the timing and extent of equipment sales is often dependent upon the 
needs and interests of the existing lessees. Some lessees may choose to renew 
their lease contracts, while others may elect to return the equipment. In the 
latter instances, the equipment could be re-leased to another lessee or sold 
to a third party. Accordingly, as the Trust matures and a greater level of 
its equipment assets become available for remarketing, the cash flows of the 
Trust will become less predictable. In addition, the Trust will have cash 
outflows to satisfy interest on indebtedness and to pay management fees and 
operating expenses. Ultimately, the Trust is expected to meet its future 
disbursement obligations and to distribute any excess of cash inflows over 
cash outflows to the Participants in accordance with the Trust Agreement. 
However, several factors, including month-to-month lease extensions, lessee 
defaults, equipment casualty events, and early lease terminations could alter 
the Trust's anticipated cash flows as described herein and in the 
accompanying financial statements and result in fluctuations to the Trust's 
periodic cash distribution payments.
 
    Cash distributions paid to the Participants consist of both a return of 
and a return on capital. Cash distributions do not represent and are not 
indicative of yield on investment. Actual yield on investment cannot be 
determined with any certainty until conclusion of the Trust and will be 
dependent upon the collection of all future contracted rents, the generation 
of renewal and/or re-lease rents, and the residual value realized for each 
asset at its disposal date. Future market conditions, technological changes, 
the ability of EFG to manage and remarket the assets, and many other events 
and circumstances, could enhance or detract from individual asset yields and 
the collective performance of the Trust's equipment portfolio.
 
    It is the intention of the Managing Trustee to maintain a cash 
distribution level that is consistent with the operating cash flows of the 
Trust and to optimize the long-term value of the Trust. A distribution level 
that is higher than the Trust's operating cash flows could compromise the 
Trust's working capital position, as well as its ability to refurbish or 
upgrade equipment in response to lessee requirements or other market 
circumstances and, during its reinvestment period, to purchase replacement 
equipment as original equipment is remarketed. Accordingly, in order to 
better align monthly cash distributions with the Trust's operating cash 
flows, the Managing Trustee reduced the level of monthly cash distributions 
from an annualized rate of $2.52 per Beneficiary Interest (the rate 
established and paid from the Trust's inception through September 1995) to an 
annualized rate of $1.26 per Beneficiary Interest commencing in October 1995. 
In October 1996, the Managing Trustee increased the annualized distribution 
rate to $1.64 per Beneficiary Interest and expects that the Trust will be 
able to sustain this distribution rate throughout 1997. However, the nature 
of the Trust's principal cash flows gradually will shift from rental receipts 
to equipment sale proceeds as the Trust matures. As this occurs, the Trust's 
cash flows will become more volatile in that certain of the Trust's equipment 
leases will be renewed and certain of its assets will be sold. In some cases, 
the Trust may be required to expend funds to refurbish or otherwise improve 
the equipment being remarketed in order to make it more desirable to a 
potential lessee or purchaser. The Trust's Advisor, EFG, and the Managing 
Trustee will attempt to monitor and manage these events to maximize the 
residual value of the Trust's equipment and will consider these factors, in 
addition to the collection of contractual rents, the retirement of scheduled 
indebtedness and the Trust's future working capital and equipment 
requirements, in establishing future cash distribution rates. Ultimately, the 
Participants should expect that cash distribution rates will fluctuate over 
the long term as a result of future remarketing activities.

                                       -7-

<PAGE>

 
                         REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
To the Participants of AFG Investment Trust C:
 
    We have audited the accompanying statements of financial position of AFG 
Investment Trust C as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the related 
statements of operations, changes in participants' capital, and cash flows 
for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1996. These 
financial statements are the responsibility of the Trust's management. Our 
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based 
on our audits.
 
    We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing 
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to 
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free 
of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, 
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. 
An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and 
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall 
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a 
reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
    In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present 
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of AFG Investment 
Trust C at December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the results of its operations and 
its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 
1996, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
    Our audits were conducted for the purpose of forming an opinion on the 
basic financial statements taken as a whole. The Additional Financial 
Information identified in the Index to Annual Report to the Participants is 
presented for purposes of additional analysis and is not a required part of 
the basic financial statements. Such information has been subjected to the 
auditing procedures applied in our audits of the basic financial statements 
and, in our opinion, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to 
the basic financial statements taken as a whole.
 
                                                          ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 



Boston, Massachusetts 
March 14, 1997

                                      -8-
 
<PAGE>

                                 AFG INVESTMENT TRUST C
 
                             STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
                               December 31, 1996 and 1995
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            1996           1995
                                                                                        -------------  -------------
<S>                                                                                     <C>            <C>

ASSETS
- ------
Cash and cash equivalents.............................................................  $  10,634,493  $     279,116
Rents receivable......................................................................      2,139,372      2,949,192
Accounts receivable--affiliate........................................................      6,484,537        101,258
Equipment at cost, net of accumulated depreciation of $43,782,922 and $33,214,195 at
  December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively............................................     35,868,028     65,137,539
Organization costs, net of accumulated amortization of $4,083 and $3,083 at December
  31, 1996 and 1995, respectively.....................................................            917          1,917
                                                                                        -------------  -------------

        Total assets..................................................................  $  55,127,347  $  68,469,022
                                                                                        -------------  -------------
                                                                                        -------------  -------------

LIABILITIES AND PARTICIPANTS' CAPITAL
- -------------------------------------

Notes payable.........................................................................  $  19,084,751  $  29,517,713
Accrued interest......................................................................        188,983        354,297
Accrued liabilities...................................................................         23,985         20,000
Accrued liabilities--affiliate........................................................        264,123       --
Deferred rental income................................................................        209,535        305,117
Cash distributions payable to participants............................................        302,484        232,679
                                                                                        -------------  -------------
        Total liabilities.............................................................     20,073,861     30,429,806
                                                                                        -------------  -------------
Participants' capital (deficit):
   Managing Trustee...................................................................       (103,527)       (73,669)
   Special Beneficiary................................................................       (861,348)      (615,026)
   Beneficiary Interests (2,011,014 Interests; initial purchase price of $25 each)....      36,018,361     38,727,911
                                                                                         -------------  -------------
        Total participants' capital...................................................      35,053,486     38,039,216
                                                                                         -------------  -------------
        Total liabilities and participants' capital...................................  $   55,127,347  $  68,469,022
                                                                                         -------------  -------------
                                                                                         -------------  -------------

</TABLE>

                   The accompanying notes are an integral part of 
                             these financial statements.


                                       - 9 -
<PAGE>

                             AFG INVESTMENT TRUST C

                             STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS 
              for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          1996           1995           1994
                                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------
<S>                                                                   <C>            <C>            <C>
Income:
    Lease revenue...................................................  $  27,695,097  $  21,605,260  $  19,732,736
    Interest income.................................................        318,618        158,939        142,747
    Other income....................................................        228,700             --             --
    Gain (loss) on sale of equipment................................     (7,371,871)      (185,044)       427,107
                                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------
               Total income.........................................     20,870,544     21,579,155     20,302,590
                                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------
Expenses:
    Depreciation and amortization...................................     15,219,989     14,488,719     13,231,942
    Write-down of equipment.........................................      2,400,000        880,717       --
    Interest expense................................................      1,775,651      2,262,128      2,491,390
    Interest expense-affiliate......................................             --          1,063         85,967
    Equipment management fees--affiliate...... .....................        962,622        838,282        725,439
    Operating expenses-affiliate....................................        426,646        191,786        200,894
                                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------
           Total expenses.................. ........................     20,784,908     18,662,695     16,735,632
                                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------
Net income..........................................................  $      85,636  $   2,916,460  $   3,566,958
                                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------
                                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------
Net income per Beneficiary Interest.................................  $        0.04  $        1.32  $        1.61
                                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------
                                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------
Cash distributions declared per Beneficiary Interest................  $        1.39  $        2.10  $        2.52
                                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------
                                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------
</TABLE>

                   The accompanying notes are an integral part of 
                             these financial statements.


                                       - 10 -

<PAGE>
                               AFG INVESTMENT TRUST C
 
                    STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN PARTICIPANTS' CAPITAL 
                 for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          MANAGING       SPECIAL          BENEFICIARIES
                                          TRUSTEE      BENEFICIARY  -------------------------
                                           AMOUNT        AMOUNT     INTERESTS      AMOUNT          TOTAL
                                       --------------  -----------  ----------  -------------  -------------
<S>                                    <C>             <C>          <C>         <C>            <C>            

Balance at 
    December 31, 1993................   $ (36,125)     $ (305,282)   2,011,014  $  42,135,094  $  41,793,687

Net income-1994......................      35,670         294,274         --        3,237,014      3,566,958

Cash distributions 
   declared..........................     (55,843)       (460,705)        --       (5,067,755)    (5,584,303)
                                       --------------  -----------  ----------  -------------  ------------- 
Balance at 
   December 31,1994..................     (56,298)       (471,713)   2,011,014     40,304,353     39,776,342

Net income-1995......................      29,165         240,608         --        2,646,687      2,916,460

Cash distributions 
   declared..........................     (46,536)       (383,921)        --       (4,223,129)    (4,653,586)
                                       --------------  -----------  ----------  -------------  -------------  
Balance at 
   December 31, 1995.................     (73,669)       (615,026)   2,011,014     38,727,911     38,039,216

Net income-1996......................         856           7,065         --           77,715         85,636

Cash distributions 
   declared..........................     (30,714)       (253,387)        --       (2,787,265)    (3,071,366)
                                       --------------  -----------  ----------  -------------  -------------  

Balance at 
   December 31, 1996................. $  (103,527)     $ (861,348)   2,011,014  $  36,018,361  $  35,053,486
                                        --------------  -----------  ----------  -------------  -------------  
                                        --------------  -----------  ----------  -------------  -------------  
</TABLE>


                           The accompanying notes are an integral part of
                                   these financial statements.

                                       - 11 -




<PAGE>

                                AFG INVESTMENT TRUST C
 
                               STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS 
                   for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            1996            1995                         1994
                                                    ----------------   --------------- -----------------
<S>                                                 <C>                <C>            <C>
Cash flows from (used in) operating activities:
Net income                                              $      85,636   $   2,916,460  $    3,566,958

Adjustments to reconcile net income 
  to net cash from operating activities:
     Depreciation and amortization                         15,219,989      14,488,719      13,231,942
     Write-down of equipment                                2,400,000         880,717              --
     (Gain) loss on sale of equipment                       7,371,871         185,044        (427,107)
  
Changes in assets and Liabilities: 
   Decrease (increase) in:
       Rents receivable                                       809,820      (1,262,125)       (575,510)
       Accounts receivable-affiliate                       (6,383,279)        109,224         706,435
   Increase (decrease) in:
       Accrued interest                                      (165,314)         64,726         (12,112)
       Accrued liabilities                                      3,985           4,500          (4,000)
       Accrued liabilities-affiliate                          264,123        (129,505)         66,238
       Deferred rental income                                 (95,582)        (11,321)         86,761
                                                       ---------------  -------------- -----------------
         Net cash from operating activities                19,511,249      17,246,439      16,639,605
                                                       ---------------  -------------- -----------------
Cash flows from (used in) investing activities:
   Purchase of equipment                                   (2,396,960)    (10,830,136)     (7,754,378)
   Proceeds from equipment sales                            6,675,611       4,191,845         957,493
                                                       ---------------  -------------- -----------------
         
         Net cash from (used in) investing activities       4,278,651      (6,638,291)     (6,796,885)
                                                       ---------------  -------------- -----------------
Cash flows from (used in)  financing activities:
   Proceeds from notes payable                             13,324,892       8,420,201      12,352,182
   Proceeds from notes payable-affiliate                           --              --          25,080
   Principal payments - notes payable                     (23,757,854)    (14,053,436)    (11,269,408)
   Principal payments - notes payable - affiliate                  --         (21,771)     (6,464,610)
   Distributions paid                                      (3,001,561)     (4,888,286)     (5,584,303)
          Net cash used in financing activities        ---------------  -------------- -----------------
                                                          (13,434,523)    (10,543,292)    (10,941,059)
                                                       ---------------  -------------- -----------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and                        10,355,377          64,856      (1,098,339)
    cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year                279,116         214,260       1,312,599
                                                       ---------------  -------------- -----------------

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year                  $10,634,493    $  279,116        $214,260
                                                       ---------------  -------------- -----------------
                                                       ---------------  -------------- -----------------


Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
   Cash paid during the year for interest                  $1,940,965    $2,206,320           $2,615,188
                                                       --------------   -------------- ------------------
                                                       --------------   -------------- ------------------
</TABLE>
 
    Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities: 
       During 1995, the Trust sold equipment to a lessee which assumed related 
        debt and interest of $308,476 and $1,988, respectively.
 
       During 1994, the Trust sold equipment to a third party which assumed 
         related debt of $2,078,997.
 
                           The accompanying notes are an integral part of
                                   these financial statements.

                                            - 12 -
<PAGE>

                           AFG INVESTMENT TRUST C
                     NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                              DECEMBER 31, 1996

NOTE 1--ORGANIZATION AND TRUST MATTERS
 
    The Trust was organized as a Delaware business trust in accordance with 
the Delaware Business Trust Act on August 31, 1992 for the purpose of 
acquiring and leasing to third parties a diversified portfolio of capital 
equipment. Participants' capital initially consisted of contributions of 
$1,000 from the Managing Trustee, AFG ASIT Corporation, $1,000 from the 
Special Beneficiary, Equis Financial Group Limited Partnership (formerly 
American Finance Group), a Massachusetts limited partnership ("EFG"), and 
$100 from the Initial Beneficiary, AFG Assignor Corporation, a wholly-owned 
affiliate of EFG. The Trust issued 571,830 Beneficiary Interests to 692 
investors for an aggregate purchase price of $14,295,750 on December 15, 
1992, its first Interim Close. Eight subsequent Interim Closings in 1992 and 
1993 resulted in the issuance by the Trust of an additional 1,439,184 
Beneficiary Interests to 1,785 investors for an aggregate purchase price of 
$35,979,600. The Trust's Final Closing occurred on September 2, 1993. In 
total, the Trust has issued 2,011,014 Beneficiary Interests representing a 
total purchase price of $50,275,350 to 2,477 investors. The Trust's Managing 
Trustee, AFG ASIT Corporation, a Massachusetts corporation and affiliate of 
EFG, is responsible for the general management and business affairs of the 
Trust. EFG is the sole Special Beneficiary of the Trust and also acts as 
Advisor to the Trust. As Advisor, EFG provides services in connection with 
the acquisition and remarketing of the Trust's assets. The Managing Trustee 
and the Special Beneficiary are not required to make any other capital 
contributions except as may be required under the Amended and Restated 
Declaration of Trust (the "Trust Agreement").
 
    Significant operations commenced coincident with the Trusts initial 
purchase of equipment and the associated lease commitments on December 15, 
1992. Pursuant to the Trust Agreement, each distribution of Distributable 
Cash From Operations and Distributable Cash From Sales or Refinancings of the 
Trust shall be made 90.75% to the Beneficiaries, 8.25% to the Special 
Beneficiary and 1% to the Managing Trustee.
 
    Under the terms of a Management Agreement between the Trust and EFG,
management services are provided by EFG to the Trust at fees which the Managing
Trustee believes to be competitive for similar services. (Also see Note 4.)
 
    EFG is a Massachusetts limited partnership formerly known as American
Finance Group ("AFG"). AFG was established in 1988 as a Massachusetts general
partnership and succeeded American Finance Group, Inc., a Massachusetts
corporation organized in 1980. EFG and its subsidiaries (collectively, the
"Company") are engaged in various aspects of the equipment leasing business,
including EFG's role as Equipment Manager or Advisor to the Trust and several
other Direct-Participation equipment leasing programs sponsored or co-sponsored
by AFG (the "Other Investment Programs"). The Company arranges to broker or
originate equipment leases, acts as remarketing agent and asset manager, and
provides leasing support services, such as billing, collecting, and asset
tracking.
 
    The general partner of EFG, with a 1% controlling interest, is Equis
Corporation, a Massachusetts corporation owned and controlled entirely by Gary
D. Engle, its President and Chief Executive Officer. Equis Corporation also owns
a controlling 1% general partner interest in EFG's 99% limited partner, GDE
Acquisition Limited Partnership ("GDE LP"). Equis Corporation and GDE LP were
established in December 1994 by Mr. Engle for the sole purpose of acquiring the
business of AFG.
 
    In January 1996, the Company sold certain assets of AFG relating 
primarily to the business of originating new leases, and the name "American 
Finance Group," and its acronym to a third party (the "Buyer"). AFG changed 
its name to Equis Financial Group Limited Partnership after the sale was 
concluded. Pursuant to terms of the sale agreements, EFG agreed not to 
compete with the Buyer's lease origination business for a period of five 
years; however, EFG is permitted to originate certain equipment leases, 
principally those involving non-investment grade lessees and ocean-going 
vessels, which are not in competition with the Buyer. In addition, the sale 
agreements specifically reserved to EFG the rights to continue using the name 
American Finance Group and its

                                     -13-

<PAGE>

                           AFG INVESTMENT TRUST C
                     NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                 (Continued)

acronym in connection with the Trust and the Other Investment Programs and to 
continue managing all assets owned by the Trust and the Other Investment 
Programs, including the right to satisfy all required equipment acquisitions 
utilizing either brokers or the Buyer. Geoffrey A. MacDonald, Chairman of 
Equis Corporation and Gary D. Engle agreed not to compete with the sold 
business on terms and conditions similar to those for the Company.
 
NOTE 2--SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
Statement of Cash Flows
 
    The Trust considers liquid investment instruments purchased with a 
maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. From time to time, 
the Trust invests excess cash with large institutional banks in reverse 
repurchase agreements with overnight maturities. Under the terms of the 
agreements, title to the underlying securities passes to the Trust. The 
securities underlying the agreements are book entry securities. At December 
31, 1996, the Trust had $10,530,000 invested in reverse repurchase agreements 
secured by U.S. Treasury Bills or interests in U.S. Government securities. 
Approximately $15,000,000 of the Trust's working capital at December 31, 
1996, including approximately $10,000,000 of cash, is expected to be used to 
acquire reinvestment equipment in 1997.
 
Revenue Recognition
 
    Rents are payable to the Trust monthly, quarterly or semi-annually and no
significant amounts are calculated on factors other than the passage of time.
The leases are accounted for as operating leases and are noncancellable. Rents
received prior to their due dates are deferred. In certain instances, the Trust
may enter primary-term, renewal or re-lease agreements which expire beyond the
Trust's anticipated dissolution date. This circumstance is not expected to
prevent the orderly wind-up of the Trust's business activities as the Managing
Trustee and the Advisor would seek to sell the then-remaining equipment assets
either to the lessee or to a third party, taking into consideration the amount
of future non-cancelable rental payments associated with the attendant lease
agreements. Future minimum rents of $23,789,705 are due as follows:
 
<TABLE>

<S>                                         <C>
For the year ending December 31, 1997       $13,946,677
                                 1998         6,590,290
                                 1999         2,069,250
                                 2000           864,528
                                 2001           159,480
                           Thereafter           159,480
                                            -----------
                                Total       $23,789,705
                                            -----------
                                            -----------
</TABLE>
 
    Revenue from major individual lessees which accounted for 10% or more of
lease revenue during the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 is as
follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           1996        1995          1994
                         ---------   -----------   ----------
<S>                      <C>         <C>           <C>
Stena Bulk AB........   $9,742,697    $2,651,992    $2,761,056

</TABLE>

    In 1996, the Trust realized early termination proceeds of $7,304,730 related
to the sale of the Stena vessel to the existing lessee. Refer to Note 3 to the
financial statements for further discussion of this transaction.

                                     -14-

<PAGE>

                           AFG INVESTMENT TRUST C
                     NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                 (Continued)

    During March 1996, the Trust acquired an 8.86% proportionate ownership 
interest in an MD-87 jet aircraft leased by Reno Air, Inc. (the "Reno 
Aircraft") -See Note 3 herein. The Trust will receive approximately $159,000 
of rental revenue in each of the years in the period ending December 31, 
2002. Rents from the Reno Aircraft, as provided for in the lease agreement, 
are adjusted monthly for changes of the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate 
("LIBOR"). Future rents from the Reno Aircraft included above reflect the 
most recent LIBOR effected rental payment.

Use of Estimates

    The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires the use of estimates and assumptions
that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying
notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Equipment on Lease
 
    All equipment was acquired from EFG, one of its Affiliates or from
third-party sellers. Equipment cost represents Asset Base Price plus acquisition
fees and was determined in accordance with the Trust Agreement and certain
regulatory guidelines. Asset Base Price is affected by the relationship of the
seller to the Trust as summarized herein. Where the seller of the equipment was
EFG or an Affiliate, Asset Base Price was the lower of (i) the actual price paid
for the equipment by EFG or the Affiliate plus all actual costs accrued by EFG
or the Affiliate while carrying the equipment less the amount of all primary
term rents earned by EFG or the Affiliate prior to selling the equipment or (ii)
fair market value as determined by the Managing Trustee in its best judgment,
including all liens and encumbrances on the equipment and other actual expenses.
Where the seller of the equipment was a third party who did not manufacture the
equipment, Asset Base Price was the lower of (i) the price invoiced by the third
party or (ii) fair market value as determined by the Managing Trustee. Where the
seller of the equipment was a third party who also manufactured the equipment,
Asset Base Price was the manufacturer's invoice price, net of any manufacturer
rebates or incentives, which price was considered to be representative of fair
market value.
 
Depreciation and Amortization
 
    The Trust's depreciation policy is intended to allocate the cost of 
equipment over the period during which it produces economic benefit. The 
principal period of economic benefit is considered to correspond to each 
asset's primary lease term, which term generally represents the period of 
greatest revenue potential for each asset. Accordingly, to the extent that an 
asset is held on primary lease term, the Trust depreciates the difference 
between (i) the cost of the asset and (ii) the estimated residual value of 
the asset on a straight-line basis over such term. For purposes of this 
policy, estimated residual values represent estimates of equipment values at 
the date of primary lease expiration. To the extent that an asset is held 
beyond its primary lease term, the Trust continues to depreciate the 
remaining net book value of the asset on a straight-line basis over the 
asset's remaining economic life. Periodically, the Managing Trustee evaluates 
the net carrying value of equipment to determine whether it exceeds estimated 
net realizable value. For purposes of this comparison, "net carrying value" 
represents, at a given date, the net book value (equipment cost less 
accumulated depreciation for financial reporting purposes) of the Trust's 
equipment and "net realizable value" represents, at the same date, the 
aggregate undiscounted cash flows resulting from future contracted lease 
payments plus the estimated residual value of the Trust's equipment. The 
Managing Trustee evaluates significant equipment assets, such as aircraft and 
vessels, individually. All other assets are evaluated collectively by 
equipment type unless the Managing Trustee learns of specific circumstances, 
such as a lessee default, technological obsolescence, or other market 
developments, which could affect the net realizable value of particular 
assets. Adjustments to reduce the net carrying value of equipment are 
recorded in those instances where estimated net realizable value is 
considered to

                                     -15-


<PAGE>

                           AFG INVESTMENT TRUST C
                     NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                 (Continued)

be less than net carrying value. Such adjustments are reflected separately on 
the accompanying Statement of Operations as Write-Down of Equipment.
 
    The ultimate realization of residual value for any type of equipment is 
dependent upon many factors, including EFG's ability to sell and re-lease 
equipment. Changing market conditions, industry trends, technological 
advances, and many other events can converge to enhance or detract from asset 
values at any given time. EFG attempts to monitor these changes in order to 
identify opportunities which may be advantageous to the Trust and which will 
maximize total cash returns for each asset.
 
    Organization costs are amortized using the straight-line method over a
period of five years.
 
Accrued Liabilities--Affiliate
 
    Unpaid fees and operating expenses paid by EFG on behalf of the Trust and
accrued but unpaid administrative charges are reported as Accrued Liabilities
- -Affiliate. (See Note 4.)
 
Allocation of Profits and Losses
 
    For financial statement purposes, net income or loss is allocated to each
Participant according to their respective ownership percentages (90.75% to the
Beneficiaries, 8.25% to the Special Beneficiary and 1% to the Managing Trustee).
See Note 6 concerning allocation of income or loss for income tax purposes.
 
Net Income and Cash Distributions per Beneficiary Interest
 
    Net income and cash distributions per Beneficiary Interest are based on
2,011,014 Beneficiary Interests outstanding during each of the three years in
the period ended December 31, 1996 and computed after allocation of the Managing
Trustee's and Special Beneficiary's shares of net income and cash distributions.
 
Provision for Income Taxes
 
    No provision or benefit from income taxes is included in the accompanying
financial statements. The Participants are responsible for reporting their
proportionate shares of the Trust's taxable income or loss and other tax
attributes on their tax returns.
 
Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards
 
    In March 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement No.
121, Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived
Assets to Be Disposed Of, which requires impairment losses to be recorded on
long-lived assets used in operations when indicators of impairment are present
and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are
less than the assets' carrying amounts. Statement 121 also addresses the
accounting for long-lived assets that are expected to be disposed of. The Trust
adopted Statement 121 in the first quarter of 1996. The adoption of Statement
121 did not have a material effect on the financial statements of the Trust.
 
NOTE 3--EQUIPMENT
 
    The following is a summary of equipment owned by the Trust at December 
31, 1996. Remaining Lease Term (Months), as used below, represents the number 
of months remaining from December 31, 1996 under contracted lease terms and 
is presented as a range when more than one lease agreement is contained in the

                                     -16-

<PAGE>

                           AFG INVESTMENT TRUST C
                     NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                 (Continued)

stated equipment category. In the opinion of EFG, the acquisition cost of the 
equipment did not exceed its fair market value.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                   REMAINING
                                   LEASE TERM     EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT TYPE                      (MONTHS)       AT COST                   LOCATION
- ---------------------------------- ----------    ------------    --------------------------------
<S>                                <C>           <C>             <C>
Aircraft..........................       12-73    $ 16,504,999    IL/NV/WA/Foreign
Computers and peripherals.........        1-36      13,929,873    AL/CA/CO/FL/GA/IL/IN/KS/KY/MA
                                                                  MI/MN/NJ/NC/NM/NY/OH/OK/PA
                                                                  SC/TN/TX/UT/VA/WI/WV
Retail store fixtures.............        1-33      11,133,408    CO/FL/GA/LA/NM/TX
Locomotives.......................       21-43       9,438,818    CA/IL
Construction and mining...........        1-48       8,149,933    FL/GA/IL/IN/MI/NV/SC/VA
Materials handling................        1-43       7,983,236    AR/AZ/CA/CO/FL/GA/IL/IN/IA/KS/KY
                                                                  MA/MI/MN/MS/NC/NJ/NY/OH/OK/OR
                                                                  PA/SC/TN/TX/VA/WI/WV/Foreign
Manufacturing.....................       24-36       3,815,155    CA/MI
Commercial printing...............          12       3,542,761    GA
Communications....................       12-17       2,004,394    FL/LA/OH
Research and test.................       18-22       1,667,223    CA/FL/IL/MI/MO/NC/NJ/NY/OH/PA
                                                                 TN/TX/UT
Tractors and heavy duty trucks....        3-22         714,107    IL/GA/KY/LA/MD/MI/NJ/OH/TX
Trailers/intermodal containers....       16-18         342,029    KY/FL
Furniture and fixtures............       10-20         239,785    NY/PA
Photocopying......................        1-18         118,652    CT
Energy systems....................           1          63,900    CA
Medical...........................          20           2,206    WI
Miscellaneous.....................          21             471    NY
                                                   -----------
Total equipment cost..............                  79,650,950
Accumulated depreciation..........                 (43,782,922)
                                                   ----------
Equipment, net of accumulated
  depreciation....................                 $ 35,868,028
                                                   ------------
                                                   ------------
</TABLE>

    In December 1996, the Trust sold its ownership interest in a vessel with a
cost and net book value of $13,014,544 and $9,075,095, respectively. In
connection with this sale, the Trust realized early termination proceeds of
$7,304,730 and sale proceeds of $2,265,436 which resulted in a net loss, for
financial statement purposes, of $6,809,659. This equipment was sold prior to
the expiration of the related lease term. The Trust intends to reinvest these
proceeds, net of associated debt, in other equipment in 1997.
 
     On February 5, 1996, the Trust concluded the sale of its interest in a 
Boeing 747-SP to the lessee, United Air Lines, Inc., ("United").  The Trust 
recognized a net loss of $1,313,122 in connection with this transaction, of 
which $880,717 was recognized as Write-Down of Equipment in 1995.  The 
remainder of $432,405 was recognized as a loss on sale of equipment on the 
accompanying financial statements for the year ended December 31, 1996.  In 
addition to lease rents, the Trust received net sale proceeds of $4,048,779 
from United for the aircraft. The Trust plans to have completed the 
reinvestment of all such proceeds in other equipment by December 31, 1997.  In 
March 1996, the Trust acquired an 8.86% ownership interest in a replacement 
aircraft (the "Reno Aircraft"), pursuant to the reinvestment provisions of 
the Trust's prospectus, at a cost of $1,239,741. To acquire its interest in 
the Reno Aircraft, the Trust obtained leveraging of $997,888 from a 
third-party lender and utilized cash proceeds of $241,853 from the sale of 
the United Aircraft. Additional cash proceeds of $257,219 were

                                     -17-

<PAGE>

                           AFG INVESTMENT TRUST C
                     NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                 (Continued)

utilized in August 1996, to acquire certain construction and mining 
equipment. The Managing Trustee intends to reinvest the remaining proceeds 
from the sale of the United Aircraft in other equipment in 1997.
 
    In certain cases, the cost of the Trust's equipment represents a
proportionate ownership interest. The remaining interests are owned by EFG or an
affiliated equipment leasing program sponsored by EFG. The Trust and each
affiliate individually report, in proportion to their respective ownership
interests, their respective shares of assets, liabilities, revenues, and
expenses associated with the equipment. Proportionate equipment ownership
enables the Trust to further diversify its equipment portfolio by participating
in the ownership of selected assets, thereby reducing the general levels of risk
which could result from a concentration in any single equipment type, industry
or lessee. At December 31, 1996, the Trust's equipment portfolio included
equipment having a proportionate original cost of $28,589,094, representing
approximately 36% of total equipment cost.
 
    Certain of the equipment and related lease payment streams were used to
secure term loans with third-party lenders. The preceding summary of equipment
includes leveraged equipment having an original cost of approximately
$55,200,000 and a net book value of approximately $26,843,000 at December 31,
1996. (See Note 5.)
 
    Generally, the costs associated with maintaining, insuring and operating the
Trust's equipment are incurred by the respective lessees pursuant to terms
specified in their individual lease agreements with the Trust.
 
    As equipment is sold to third parties, or otherwise disposed of, the Trust
will recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the net book value
of the equipment at the time of sale or disposition and the proceeds realized
upon sale or disposition. The ultimate realization of estimated residual value
in the equipment will be dependent upon, among other things, EFG's ability to
maximize proceeds from selling or re-leasing the equipment upon the expiration
of the primary lease terms. At December 31, 1996, the Trust held equipment for
sale or re-lease with a cost and net book value of approximately $996,000 and
$239,000, respectively. The Managing Trustee is actively seeking the sale of
re-lease of all equipment not on lease.
 
    The Trust recorded a write-down of the carrying value of its interest in an
aircraft, representing an impairment, during the year ended December 31, 1996.
The resulting charge, $2,400,000 ($1.08 per Beneficiary Interest) in 1996 was
based on a comparison of the estimated net realizable value and corresponding
carrying value for the Trust's interest in the aircraft.
 
NOTE 4--RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
    All operating expenses incurred by the Trust are paid by EFG on behalf of 
the Trust and EFG is reimbursed at its actual cost for such expenditures. 
Fees and other costs incurred during the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 
and 1994, which were paid or accrued by the Trust to EFG or its Affiliates, 
are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       1996        1995          1994
                                    ---------   -----------   ----------
<S>                                 <C>         <C>           <C>
Equipment acquisition fees........  $   69,712  $  242,898    $  100,889
Equipment management fees.........     962,622     838,282       725,439
Administrative charges............      57,379      21,000        12,000
Reimbursable operating 
  expenses due to third parties...     369,267     170,786       188,894
Interest on notes
  payable- affiliate..............          --       1,063        85,967
                                    ----------  -----------   ----------
Total.............................  $1,458,980  $1,274,029   $1,113,189
                                    ----------  -----------   ----------
                                    ----------  -----------   ----------
</TABLE>

                                     -18-

<PAGE>

                           AFG INVESTMENT TRUST C
                     NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                 (Continued)

    As provided under the terms of the Trust Agreement, EFG is compensated 
for its services to the Trust. Such services include all aspects of 
acquisition, management and sale of equipment. For acquisition services, EFG 
is compensated by an amount equal to .28% of Equipment Base Price paid by the 
Trust. For acquisition services resulting from reinvestment, EFG is 
compensated by an amount equal to 3% of Equipment Base Price paid by the 
Trust. For management services, EFG is compensated by an amount equal to the 
lesser of (i) 5% of gross operating lease rental revenue and 2% of gross full 
payout lease rental revenue received by the Trust or (ii) fees which the 
Managing Trustee reasonably believes to be competitive for similar services 
for similar equipment. Both of these fees are subject to certain limitations 
defined in the Trust Agreement. Compensation to EFG for services connected to 
the remarketing of equipment is calculated as the lesser of (i) 3% of gross 
sale proceeds or (ii) one-half of reasonable brokerage fees otherwise payable 
under arm's length circumstances. Payment of the remarketing fee is 
subordinated to Payout and is subject to certain limitations defined in the 
Trust Agreement.
 
    Administrative charges represent amounts owed to EFG, pursuant to Section
10.4(c) of the Trust Agreement, for persons employed by EFG who are engaged in
providing administrative services to the Trust. Reimbursable operating expenses
due to third parties represent costs paid by EFG on behalf of the Trust which
are reimbursed to EFG.
 
    All equipment was purchased from EFG, one of its Affiliates or directly from
third-party sellers. The Trust's Purchase Price is determined by the method
described in Note 2, Equipment on Lease.
 
    All rents and proceeds from the sale of equipment are paid by the lessee
directly to either EFG or to a lender. EFG temporarily deposits collected funds
in a separate interest-bearing escrow account prior to remittance to the Trust.
At December 31, 1996, the Trust was owed $2,637,639 by EFG for such funds and
the interest thereon. This balance includes equipment sale proceeds of
approximately $2,265,000 which relate to the sale of certain vessel equipment in
December 1996. Debt proceeds of $3,846,898, which relate to the leveraging of
certain rail equipment in the Trust's portfolio, were deposited into the escrow
account on December 31, 1996. These funds were remitted to the Trust in January
1997.
 
NOTE 5--NOTES PAYABLE
 
    Notes payable at December 31, 1996 consisted of installment notes of 
$19,084,751 payable to banks and institutional lenders. The notes bear 
interest rates ranging between 5.1% and 11.25%, except for one note which 
bears a fluctuating interest rate based on LIBOR plus a margin (5.5% at 
December 31, 1996). All of the installment notes are non-recourse and are 
collateralized by the equipment and assignment of the related lease payments. 
Generally, the installment notes will be fully amortized by noncancellable 
rents. However, the Trust has balloon payment obligations of $282,421 and 
$2,867,081 at the expiration of the primary lease terms related to the Reno 
Aircraft and certain rail equipment, respectively. The carrying amount of 
notes payable approximates fair value at December 31, 1996.
 
THE ANNUAL MATURITIES OF THE NOTES PAYABLE ARE AS FOLLOWS:

<TABLE>

<S>                                         <C>
For the year ending December 31, 1997       $ 9,456,507
                                 1998         4,162,699
                                 1999         1,443,347
                                 2000         3,509,220
                                 2001           128,106
                           Thereafter           384,872
                                            -----------
                                Total       $19,084,751
                                            -----------
                                            -----------
</TABLE>
                                     -19-
<PAGE>
                            AFG INVESTMENT TRUST C
                       NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                  (Continued)

    The weighted average interest rate on short-term borrowings from EFG for the
purchase of equipment was 10.9% and 9.10% during the years ended December 31,
1995 and 1994, respectively.
 
NOTE 6--INCOME TAXES
 
    The Trust is not a taxable entity for federal income tax purposes.
Accordingly, no provision for income taxes has been recorded in the accounts of
the Trust.
 
    For financial statement purposes, the Trust allocates net income or loss to
each class of participant according to their respective ownership percentages
(90.75% to the Beneficiaries, 8.25% to the Special Beneficiary and 1% to the
Managing Trustee). This convention differs from the income or loss allocation
requirements for income tax and Dissolution Event purposes as delineated in the
Trust Agreement. Pursuant to the Trust Agreement, for income tax purposes, the
Trust allocates net income, to the extent available, pro-rata to any Participant
with a negative capital account balance so as to eliminate any such balance. In
accordance with the Trust Agreement, upon dissolution of the Trust, the Managing
Trustee will be required to contribute to the Trust an amount equal to any
negative balance which may exist in the Managing Trustee's tax capital account.
At December 31, 1996, the Managing Trustee had a positive tax capital account
balance.

    The following is a reconciliation between net income reported for financial
statement and federal income tax reporting purposes for the years ended December
31, 1996, 1995 and 1994:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     1996             1995           1994
                                                 ------------    -------------    -----------
<S>                                              <C>               <C>              <C>
Net income                                       $   85,636        $2,916,460       $3,566,958
 Financial statement depreciation
   in excess of (less than tax depreciation      $2,880,589        (1,663,092)      (6,339,977)
 Write-down of equipment                          2,400,000           880,717                -
 Tax gain (loss) in excess of
   book gain (loss)                                 (54,917)        1,001,438          437,522
 Prepaid rental income                              (95,582)          (11,321)          86,761
 Other                                               37,114                 -                -
                                                 -----------       ------------     -----------

Net income (loss) for federal income tax
  reporting purposes                             $ 5,252,840       $  3,124,202    $(2,248,736)
                                                 -----------       ------------    -------------
                                                 -----------       ------------    -------------

</TABLE>
     The following is a reconciliation between participants' capital 
reported for financial statement and federal income tax reporting purposes 
for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995:

                                       20
<PAGE>

                                  AFG INVESTMENT TRUST C
                            NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                        (Continued)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       1996           1995
                                                   -----------     -----------
<S>                                                <C>            <C>
Participants' capital                              $35,053,486    $38,039,216

  Add back selling commissions and organization
  and offering costs                                 4,771,160      4,771,160

  Financial statement distributions in excess of
  tax distributions                                     27,980         21,523

  Cumulative difference between federal income tax
  and financial statement income (loss)             (7,827,602)   (12,994,806)
                                                   ------------   ------------

Participants' capital for federal income tax
  reporting purposes                                $32,025,024    $29,837,093
                                                    -----------    -----------
                                                    -----------    -----------
</TABLE>


    Financial statement distributions in excess of tax distributions and
cumulative difference between federal income tax and financial statement income
(loss) represent timing differences.
 
NOTE 7--LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
    On July 27, 1995, EFG, on behalf of the Trust and other EFG-sponsored
investment programs, filed an action in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Superior Court Department of the Trial Court in and for the County of Suffolk,
for damages and declaratory relief against a lessee of the Trust, National Steel
Corporation ("National Steel"), under a certain Master Lease Agreement ("MLA")
for the lease of certain equipment. EFG is seeking the reimbursement by National
Steel of certain sales and/or use taxes paid to the State of Illinois and other
remedies provided by the MLA. On August 30, 1995, National Steel filed a Notice
of Removal which removed the case to the United States District Court, District
of Massachusetts. On September 7, 1995, National Steel filed its Answer to EFG's
Complaint along with Affirmative Defenses and Counterclaims, seeking declaratory
relief and alleging breach of contract, implied covenant of good faith and fair
dealing and specific performance. EFG filed its Answer to these counterclaims on
September 29, 1995. Though the parties have been discussing settlement with
respect to this matter for some time, to date, the negotiations have been
unsuccessful. Notwithstanding these discussions, EFG recently filed an Amended
and Supplemental Complaint alleging further default under the MLA and the matter
remains pending before the Court. The Trust has not experienced any material
losses as a result of this action.
 
NOTE 8--SOLICITATION STATEMENT
 
    On October 26, 1996, the Managing Trustee, on behalf of the Trust, filed a
Solicitation Statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission which was
subsequently sent to the Beneficiaries pursuant to Regulation 14A of Section 14
of the Securities Exchange Act. The Solicitation Statement sought to solicit the
consent of the Beneficiaries to a proposed amendment ("the Amendment") to the
Trust Agreement.
 
    The Amendment would (i) amend the provisions of the Trust Agreement
governing the redemption of Interests to permit the Trust to offer to redeem
outstanding interests at such times, in such amounts, in such manner and at such
prices as the Managing Trustee may determine from time to time, in accordance
with applicable law; and (ii) add a provision to the Trust Agreement that would
permit the Trust to issue, at the 


                                       21
<PAGE>
                                 AFG INVESTMENT TRUST C
                            NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                        (Continued)


discretion of the Managing Trustee and without further consent or approval of 
the Beneficiaries, an additional class of security with such designations, 
preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, 
powers and duties as the Managing Trustee may fix. Such a security, if it 
were to be offered and sold, would provide the Trust with the funds to (a) 
implement more expansive Interest redemption opportunities for Beneficiaries 
without using Trust funds which may otherwise be available for current cash 
distributions; and (b) make a special one-time distribution to the 
Beneficiaries.
 
    Pursuant to the Trust Agreement, the adoption of the Amendment required 
the consent of the Beneficiaries holding more than fifty percent in the 
aggregate of the Interests held by all Beneficiaries. A majority of 
Beneficiary Interests, representing 1,215,771 or 60.5% of all Beneficiary 
Interests, voted in favor of the Amendment; 174,315 or 8.7% of all 
Beneficiary Interests voted against the Amendment; and 49,787 or 2.5% of all 
Beneficiary Interests abstained. Approximately 72% of all Beneficiary 
Interests participated in the vote. Accordingly, the Amendment was adopted.

NOTE 9--SUBSEQUENT EVENT

    On February 12, 1997, the Trust filed a Registration Statement on Form S-1
with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission which covers, among
other things, the creation and sale of a new class of beneficiary interest in
the Trust (the "Class B Interests"). A portion of the proceeds from the offering
of the Class B Interests would be used to make a one-time special cash
distribution to existing Beneficiaries (the "Class A Beneficiaries") of the
Trust and to enable the Trust to redeem a portion of the existing Beneficiary
Interests (the "Class A Interests"). The characteristics of the Class B
Interests, associated risk factors, and other matters of importance to the
Beneficiaries and prospective purchasers of the Class B Interests are contained
in the Registration Statement. Presently, the Registration Statement is
undergoing regulatory review and has not been declared effective.
 
                                         22

<PAGE>

ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION

<PAGE>
                               AFG INVESTMENT TRUST C
 
        SCHEDULE OF EXCESS (DEFICIENCY) OF TOTAL CASH GENERATED TO COST
                             OF EQUIPMENT DISPOSED
 
                  for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
 
    The Trust classifies all rents from leasing equipment as lease revenue.  
Upon expiration of the primary lease terms, equipment may be sold, rented on 
a month-to-month basis or re-leased for a defined period under a new or 
extended lease agreement. The proceeds generated from selling or re-leasing 
the equipment, in addition to any month-to-month revenue, represent the total 
residual value realized for each item of equipment. Therefore, the financial 
statement gain or loss, which reflects the difference between the net book 
value of the equipment at the time of sale or disposition and the proceeds 
realized upon sale or disposition, may not reflect the aggregate residual 
proceeds realized by the Trust for such equipment.

    The following is a summary of cash excess associated with equipment
dispositions occurring in the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           1996          1995          1994
                                       ------------  ------------  ------------
<S>                                    <C>           <C>           <C>
Rents earned prior to disposal of      $18,461,013    $2,892,121   $  352,035
  equipment, net of interest charges

Sale proceeds, including assumption
  of debt, realized upon disposition     6,675,611     4,502,309     3,036,490
  of equipment                         -------------  ------------ ------------

Total cash generated from rents
  and equipment sale proceeds            25,136,624     7,394,430    3,388,525

Original acquisition cost of equipment  
  disposed                               21,097,744     6,312,760    3,067,939
                                        ------------   ------------  ----------
Excess of total cash generated to cost
  of equipment disposed                 $ 4,038,880    $1,081,670    $  320,586
                                        ------------   ------------  ----------
                                        ------------   ------------  ----------

</TABLE>
 



                                       23
<PAGE>
                             AFG INVESTMENT TRUST C
 
           STATEMENT OF CASH AND DISTRIBUTABLE CASH FROM OPERATIONS,
                             SALES AND REFINANCINGS
 
                        for the year ended December 31, 1996

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                               Sales and
                                                Operations    Refinancings        Total
                                              -------------  --------------   -------------
<S>                                           <C>            <C>              <C>

Net income (loss)........................       $7,457,507   $  (7,371,871)    $    85,636
Add: 
  Depreciation and amortization..........       15,219,989               --      15,219,989
  Write-down of equipment................         2,400,000               --       2,400,000
  Management fees........................           962,622               --         962,622
  Book value of disposed equipment.......                --       14,047,482      14,047,482
               
Less:
  Principal reduction of notes payable...       (21,080,227)      (2,677,627)    (23,757,854)
                                              --------------  ---------------  -------------

  Cash from operations, sales
  and refinancings.......................          4,959,891        3,997,984       8,957,875

Less:
Management fees..........................           (962,622)              --        (962,622)
                                              ---------------  ----------------  -------------
Distributable cash from operations,
  sales and refinancings.................          3,997,269        3,997,984        7,995,253

Other sources and uses of cash:
  Cash at beginning of year..............            279,116               --          279,116
  Proceeds from notes payable............          3,843,671        9,481,221       13,324,892
  Purchase of equipment..................                 --       (2,396,960)     (2,396,960)
  Net change in receivables and                   
  accruals...............................         (5,566,247)              --      (5,566,247)

Less:
  Cash distributions paid................         (2,553,809)        (447,752)     (3,001,561)
                                             ------------------  ----------------  -----------

Cash at end of year......................                  --    $  10,634,493    $ 10,634,493
                                             ------------------  ----------------  -----------
                                             ------------------  ----------------  -----------
</TABLE>
 

                                           24
<PAGE>

                                  AFG INVESTMENT TRUST C

                           SCHEDULE OF COSTS REIMBURSED TO THE
                         MANAGING TRUSTEE AND ITS AFFILIATES AS
                       REQUIRED BY SECTION 10.4 OF THE AMENDED AND
                              RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST

                                     December 31, 1996

   For the year ended December 31, 1996, the Trust reimbursed the Managing 
Trustee and its Affiliates for the following costs:

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                 <C>
Operating expenses................................................  $ 415,557
</TABLE>
 
                                       25

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                      10,634,493
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                8,623,909
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            19,259,319
<PP&E>                                      79,650,950
<DEPRECIATION>                              43,782,922
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              55,127,347
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          989,110
<BONDS>                                     19,084,751
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                  35,053,486
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                55,127,347
<SALES>                                     27,695,097
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            20,870,544
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            19,009,257
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           1,775,651
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 85,636
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             85,636
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    85,636
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
        

</TABLE>


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