The Plymouth Prowler continues to fascinate me as a car we, as enthusiasts, demanded Chrysler build, and then quickly lost interest in when it came into production. Some of that blame lies squarely on Chrysler Corp., as the engine fell severely short of what the hot-rod body promised. Today, they enjoy status as a notable footnote in Plymouth history, and a strong following among a small group of Prowler enthusiasts. This example here on Autotrader.com was never titled and has under 1,000 original miles.
It’s yet another example of a car that got mothballed quickly by its first owners in anticipation of a big pay-day later on. That didn’t happen, as the Prowler – like the Chevy SSR – was a vehicle with showcar looks and commuter car powerplants. It’s not to say the Prowler wasn’t quick enough, but it was nothing like the modern Challenger Hellcat or anything resembling a Dodge Viper. For some reason, I always believe that the owner of a Prowler also has one of those nutty three-wheeled motorcycles in their garage – don’t ask me why.
If you have to own a Prowler, this is likely the one to get. I seem to recall all of the actual showcars had this purple paint job over gray leather seats, and the custom trailer is a nice addition to the package. But here’s the problem: when you look at this interior, it’s not hard to envision the same console, shifter gate, door panels, and even the steering wheel as being found is an Eagle Vision from the same era, or a Chrysler Cirrus LXi. There was nothing inherently special about the cockpit, nothing that made you feel you were in either a performance car or a showcar – it just sort of ended up in-between.
Now listen: I do not want to seem like I am doubting the significance of this car. It will always be referenced in automotive history as the time Chrysler actually built a modern hot rod as part of its consumer vehicle lineup. That is significant, and the folks over at Mopar always seemed far more willing to entertain enthusiasts’ fantasies than any other domestic manufacturer. Will the Prowler ever achieve greatness like the modern Ford GT40 quickly did after its introduction? Probably not, which is why you can still buy a brand new example like this one for under $50K. Would you?
Heck with the Prowler. I want a look at that FJ6 green #70 in the background.
The green number 70 is for sale $29,900.00
Intrepid in a clown suit . I’d buy a 5k mile Hellcat for the money .
Even though under 1000 miles, how does a car that has never been titled get that many miles on it unless it is a dealer demo car. Even then, you know everyone who demo’ed the car had to smash the gas to the floor to see what it would do. When I was in school back in the 80’s the dealer’s son drove a new yellow Iroc-Z to school and beat the crap out of the car. Then one day I saw it back on the dealer lot that said Dealer Demo. I think I would be cautious on this one for the $.
Had Plymouth gone with a V8, rather than the 6..(and a stick, perhaps), these might have sold like hotcakes..something like this, perhaps
I always have liked these,but for that kind of money,
I would be happier with a one off custom street rod,
one with some juice under the hood.I think these will
for sure become more collectable in the future,
but right now it is a buyers paradise,and 50G can by alot
of cooler stuff.This would be something to mothball..,never use much,
it doesn’t become a vehicle of practical uses..,just a piece of art,which is
ok too..,just let us peasants see it once in a while…lol
Pay me 50 and I might take it.
I would argue they didn’t even have show car looks. I disliked these cars when new and still don’t like them.
As for the Chevrolet SSR, I didn’t particularly care for it either, but I would hardly categorize its engine as that of a “commuter car”. Didn’t they have 400-hp 6.0 V8s?? Or maybe that was just the final year?
If this isn’t an example of show car looks, what is???
Didn’t have show car looks? Have you seen what other cars were available in 1997? The Prowler may not be to everyone’s taste (I don’t think I’d want one personally), but there was nothing like it on the streets in the mid-90’s.
https://www.engineswapdepot.com/?p=24915
Couldn’t get a photo to upload, but here ya go
When it was first teased, the Prowler seemed to hold so much promise for a renewal of the Plymouth marque. By the time it came out, it was pretty clear The Powers That Be knew the division’s fate had been sealed. To my eye, at twenty feet, the car still holds up pretty-well, but up close, it is actually pretty timid, both then and now. An ignoble end to a great brand.
i’ve owned 2 prowlers, every owner i’ve met babies these cars so regardless of mileage great examples can be had for 20-25K or less. they’re great bang for the buck as far as affordable exotic looks.
Granted, the Prowlers serve a niche, the way they are babied serve no purpose to me. The old school axiom; “it’s not what you buy, it’s what you build.” CATERHAM 7s, Lotus, Panoz, Morgans all usually get the snot driven out of them. But they aren’t really designed for the occasional run to the store for some white wine. Give me the Jim Beam Devil’s Cut type roadster any day. A Cunningham reproduction is just the one for my end goal.
One of our Friday nite cruise members has one with his 67 Camaro and now a 66 GTO, He always brings the Camaro to cruise night and the Prowler only to shows because he said it’s not a comfortable ride for long drives, his GTO isn’t finished yet but by next year he will be driving it over the Prowler.
One of many stuffed away, hoping for its value to somehow magically go up.
Chrysler could have, & should have done so much better with the Prowler. It seems that Chrysler stopped development work once they reached a working prototype. The car needed more power, & a better interior.Chrysler treated Plymouth like a red-headed stepchild for so long, that it was really no viability for the brand. It’s heartbreaking to see the fall from days of the Road Runner, & Superbird to the Breeze, & Neon.
While this is a novelty item for your collection, it’s not a $50K novelty. It’s simply a used car
My next door neighbor had one of these as his daily commuter in South Florida around 2001. It seemed mighty impractical to this father of four, but i was pleased to see one being used instead of stored.
I’ve driven a few of these, they are a pain in the butt to enter and exit because the doors don’t open very far (I’m 6’) and their power train is anemic compared to their aggressive looks.
No much of a Chrysler fan but thought it was pretty cool they would build these but then they did and then, well, the rest was history. Was in the Guard with a guy who custom made knives, chain mail, stuff like that… he was a body guy & was picked to be the Prowler tech at the dealership where he worked. What I remember is that he told me they were like nothing else he ever worked on.
I never was interested in the prowler or Hot-rods. But to me Hot Rodding is to take a the smallest frame and stick the largest engine in it. with that said, this sentence that the Prowler failed , due to a weak engine is nonsense to me. Putting a large engine in something like a Prowler is what hot rod enthusiast do. Unless you expected for Chrysler to do that for you?
Nice, but no way would I want one here in New York city. It is like pasting a bullseye on me and I would attract every cop or wanna be car thief in the five
boroughs
“I should’ve had a V8 ! ”
– Plymouth Prowler
Chevy SSR hardly had a “commuter car powerplant.” My father-in-law had one with a corvette V8 and 400 hp – great acceleration.
1999 Prowler, Purple Plum, 906 miles, on Kelly Blue Book website: $28,999.00
I have seen Prowlers with less than 25,000 miles go at auction for as low as $23,000.
Prowlers look cool, but no upside potential.