For many people, purchasing a new car will represent the second largest financial investment they will make after the family home. Most will approach the matter logically to ensure they secure a vehicle that best suits their needs. They may elect to add options like premium paint or a more powerful engine, but practicality will generally drive their decision. However, selecting a classic car is a different proposition. Owners willingly hand over the cash for the car of their dreams, with the concept of practicality playing second fiddle to fulfilling a long-held dream. That brings us to the 1999 Plymouth Prowler. The company didn’t produce or market this model as practical family transport because it lacks the seating capacity to fill that role effectively. Buyers purchased these for pure enjoyment or indulgence and to make a bold visual statement. The Prowler wasn’t the sales success Plymouth hoped for, but they have begun gaining traction in the classic market. If a modern two-seat convertible remains on your Wish List, you will find the Prowler located in Germantown, Tennessee, and listed for sale here on Craigslist. It could be yours by handing the owner $39,000. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder Pat L. for spotting another beauty for us.

Most manufacturers produce concept cars primarily to lure potential buyers to their stands at motor shows. However, only a few of those concepts see the light of day as a production model. Holden achieved this feat with the 1998 Coupe concept that became the final generation of the Pontiac GTO. Audi also successfully transformed a 1995 concept car into its iconic TT. The Prowler followed a similar path, emerging as a production version of a concept unveiled in 1993. Although not based on a previous Mopar model, its designers sought to capture the essence of a classic hot rod. It also wasn’t the last radical retro Mopar product. The company followed a similar design philosophy of capturing an earlier era rather than a particular model when its Chrysler PT Cruiser hit the new car market in 2001. The styling of the Prowler seemed to polarize the buying public. Some fell head-over-heels in love with it, while others gave it a wide berth. Our feature car rolled off the line in 1999 wearing Prowler Purple Metallic paint. It shines beautifully, with no flaws or defects. The panels look immaculate, and the Black soft-top is equally impressive. There is no evidence of rust problems, and I wouldn’t expect any in a low-mileage classic that has led a sheltered life inside a garage. The alloy wheels exhibit no signs of stains or physical damage. The glass looks flawless, and the Prowler appears to have no cosmetic needs.

Apart from its “love it or hate it” styling, one aspect of the Prowler that disappointed many potential buyers was the company’s drivetrain choice. While those individuals expected a vehicle of this type to feature a V8 and a manual transmission. The reality was something very different. Powering the Prowler is a 3.5-liter V6 backed by a four-speed automatic transmission. That hardly sounded like a recipe for excitement, but the prowler could deliver if the driver pressed the pedal to the metal. With 253hp at their disposal and an overall weight of 2,837lbs, the Plymouth could scorch through the ¼ mile in a very impressive 14.2 seconds. That figure surprised many people, but it wasn’t enough to boost flagging sales. Plymouth hoped the Prowler would prove a high-volume success, and while 1999 was its most successful year, that term is relative. Only 3,921 buyers handed over their cash to park one of these beauties in their driveway. The seller indicates that this Prowler is in excellent mechanical health and is ready to be enjoyed by a new owner. With 8,050 genuine miles on the clock, it should be able to do this for many years to come.

While Plymouth intended to capture the spirit of a traditional American hot rod, it ensured that the car’s occupants wouldn’t experience the bare-bones motoring experience inherent in that vehicle type. Therefore, they loaded the interior with all the bells and whistles to maximize comfort. Occupants received airbags, air conditioning, power windows, power locks, power exterior mirrors, cruise control, leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped tilt wheel, and a premium stereo. In the case of this classic, that stereo includes the optional CD changer. As with the rest of the car, this Prowler’s interior is immaculate. There is no evidence of wear or physical damage, and the car would look right at home on a showroom floor. The leather looks soft and inviting, and there are no signs of deterioration from UV exposure or abuse.

It is hard to trace the roots of retro influences because history demonstrates this trait going back centuries in such areas as architecture and music. It is a relatively new phenomenon in the automotive world, although it will almost certainly be part of the new car scene for many decades. You need only look at the styling of the current Dodge Challenger or Ford Mustang because they contain very obvious visual tributes to their roots dating back to their iconic First Generation models. Other notable retro-style vehicles include the Mini Cooper, the New Beetle, and the Fiat 500. However, no major manufacturers had been bold enough to create a high-volume classic hot rod tribute until Plymouth unveiled the Prowler. It was a daring venture that deserved greater success than it achieved when new, and it is only now gaining recognition in the classic market. Values have begun climbing steadily, suggesting that a low-mileage survivor could represent a reasonable long-term investment. However, pushing logic aside for a moment, they offer a comfortable and relaxed wind-in-the-hair motoring experience in a package that could serve as a competent daily driver. Are those thoughts enough to tempt you to pursue this classic further?