At the dawn of the new millennium, retro styling began to come to the fore in the automotive industry. Chrysler was a great proponent of this trend, throwing its hat into the ring with its PT Cruiser and Plymouth Prowler models. The Prowler was designed as a niche market offering and sold in limited numbers under the Plymouth and Chrysler brands from 1997 until 2002. This 1999 Prowler is from its most successful sales year, and it presents well for its age. It has a genuine 29,000 miles on the clock, and with a comprehensive list of comfort features, it should offer its next owner a relaxed classic motoring experience. Located in Selma, California, you will find the Prowler listed for sale here on Craigslist. You could drive off into the sunset in this retro classic by handing the owner $20,000. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder Pat L for spotting this Plymouth for us.

While its radical styling was generally positively received, many believe that the heavy front bumpers destroyed the Prowler’s sleek lines. However, these were essential for the Prowler to meet safety regulations, making them a necessary evil. Finished in Prowler Red, our feature car presents well for its age. It is 1-of-1,383 examples to wear that shade during 1999, making it the most popular for that model year by a reasonable margin. The paint shines nicely, and its overall condition is within keeping for a car that has 29,000 miles on the clock and has been treated with respect. It shines beautifully, with no significant flaws or defects. The same is true of the panels, while the heavy use of aluminum in the Prowler’s construction and a life spent in California have helped this classic remain rust-free. The trim and glass appear to be in good condition, but the distinctive chrome alloy wheels continue the bold styling statement. I admit I prefer the silver versions over those wearing chrome, but these look flawless.

While Chrysler attempted to capture the styling and appeal of a bare-bones classic hot rod, the Prowler’s interior was far from spartan. Owners received a couple of airbags, leather trim, power windows, power locks, keyless entry, cruise control, a leather-wrapped wheel, and a premium AM/FM radio/cassette player or CD player. These features combined to make life behind the wheel a pretty pleasant experience. While this car’s interior is generally tidy, it has a few unexpected flaws for a vehicle with such a low odometer reading. There appears to be a seam separation on the base of the driver’s seat that would benefit from the attention of a leather specialist. They may also be able to breathe new life into the leather because it shows signs of wear around the edges. It also looks like there may be some wear on the carpet, which could be a costly fault. If it is too bad, the buyer may face the prospect of spending an eye-watering $600 on a new carpet set. Beyond those problems, there’s no evidence of other wear issues or physical damage.

If the Prowler faced significant criticism on any front, it stemmed from the company’s drivetrain choice. While the styling suggested that the car would be a high-performance model equipped with a potent V8 and manual transmission, the reality proved to be a V6 motor and a four-speed automatic transmission. Early cars featured a 3.5-liter powerplant that produced 214hp. For the 1999 model year, Plymouth slotted a different V6 under the hood that gave the driver 253hp under their right foot. That may not sound like a recipe for excitement, but with an overall weight of a mere 2,837lbs, it allowed the Prowler to storm through the ¼ mile in 14.2 seconds before winding its way to 131mph. The seller indicates that the car has a genuine 29,000 miles on the clock, although they don’t mention verifying evidence. They recently sent the vehicle for a complete service and new tires, and they say that it runs and drives well. With warmer weather fast approaching, there will be little to prevent the buyer from hitting the road immediately for a spot of top-down touring.

Some people believe that the Plymouth Prowler represented a triumph of style over substance and decried its lack of a V8 engine and manual transmission. This criticism may have some justification, but it still offered performance that satisfied most owners. The Prowler has developed a strong following recently, and our feature car is 1-of-3,921 produced during the 1999 model year. While Chrysler intended it as a niche model, the five-year production of 11,702 vehicles was well below expectations. By the time the last car rolled off the line, the Prowler had proven to be a financial black hole for the company. A car that was largely unloved and unwanted when new can now command reasonable prices in the classic market. Figures beyond $30,000 are not unusual, and while this one isn’t perfect, its sale price looks pretty competitive. It has only been on the market a short time, and with warmer weather around the corner, I don’t think the owner will be waiting long for someone to hand over the cash to take it home.