To some of you, the 2000 Plymouth Prowler shown here on ebay will seem like an old car. Those of us born a little longer ago will see this differently, hardly grasping that this is now a quarter-century from being a new idea. But if hopes of owning a factory-styled hot rod are still lingering in some of our heads, here’s a chance. The Prowler in question is a tick under $55,000 in a buy-it-now situation. You can also make your best offer. You have nine days. Then, if your proffer is taken, send a truck to St. George, Utah to grab up your car. Tipster Curvette gets another big thank you for this great find.
The DaimlerChrysler company offered the Plymouth Prowler (later Chrysler Prowler) for just five calendar years, 1997-2002, with no 1998 model being sold. Their sales tallied to about 11,000, which makes the Prowler relatively rare. For comparison, Tesla currently sells about that many cars in China every week. General Motors sent around 25,000 Corvettes to excited new homes in the 2025 model year. What was special about the Prowler was the bold design and aluminum body panel construction. The model was a shadow-replica of the iconic 1932 Ford hot rods that were once a staple in collectors’ garages, and which still represent the pinnacle of the vintage car hobby to many. The side view is particularly reminiscent of the cars associated with the start of the hot rod craze.
Of course, this was a new take on that old idea. All Prowlers had 3.5-liter V6 engines with rear transaxles and RWD, so a combination of tradition in terms of where the power met the road and innovation in how it did so. This particular Prowler has a registered total of 55 miles, and every system is untouched except for a replacement battery having been fitted, as you might expect.
You’re definitely paying a big premium for the non-existent miles. There are at least three other Prowlers on ebay right now in the mid-$20,000 range. Another way of saying that is that any miles you put on this red “as new” beauty (a phrase used repeatedly throughout its listing) will hack into the value. Do you want the privilege of driving this factory hot rod, or are you going to do what the original owner, a car dealership, has done and keep it bubble-wrapped for someone is the perhaps-distant future to use, or keep? By the looks of the mileage, someone snuck in just one drive. I wonder what the circumstances were. Did they know this would be the only time the car would be driven? Did they calculate how much the miles would hurt the value many years hence? Did they grip the wheel just a little bit firmly in case someone else wasn’t being so observant? We’ll never know. What we do know is that the next owner will have to decide what the future of this retro-mobile is going to be.
( crickets) I say, 11,000 units makes it rare BECAUSE of no interest. I realize I have the audacity to call out an unusual vehicle coming from Milwaukee, and my liking of French cars, but this was just too far out there. I think it’s really cool. and a blast to drive, but the US car history is littered with a “swing and a miss” ideas in cars, and this was truly one of them. Mayhaps the low mileage is an indicator of, “what did we just buy” syndrome.
Just look at it. What were they thinking?
I always thought the Prowler was an awesome looking car, but to each, his own. Still a head-turner. The real hit-and-miss was the lack of a V8 and no stick. The HO V6 and semi-AT transaxle were only okay. But a V8 and stick would have made this the more complete package, although I not sure if that would have generated more than a few more sales.
Chrysler built a show car and it looks great. Most people in the market for a new car isn’t looking for a show car since most need a family car.
IMHO Chrysler should have built this with a V8 but no matter it was a cool car just not real practical.
Definitely too much but I like it. The early 2000s were full of vehicles like the Chevy SSR, HHR, PT Cruiser and retro styled Mustangs, Vipers and TBirds. But niche vehicles don’t sell big numbers and accountants, not engineers and designers, run car companies today.
Rare car,fast becoming too expensive, for the comman man. Lookie-okies will wait too long and regret their ignorance !
Would these have sold in greater numbers as a V8? Maybe a few, but people would have complained about something else. It’s just like the conventional cab pickup. I’m not in the market right now. As for the car itself, it’s the coolest car you won’t give yourself permission to own. The top is simple to operate and the car is made from common parts. You and your companion will have a blast on the open road.
All of these Prowlers need front bumper delete. W/ the front bumper pieces in place, they look awful. As in an above post mentioned, they are show cars. Not the thing the swim mom drives her 4 kids to the public pool in. So don’t say the bumper delete is impractical, please. If you hit something in the front, you’re dead anyway. So just pass in style
Plymouth/Chrysler, (remember them?), made the mistake of releasing this thing with a weak V6. In every discussion I’ve ever had with car guys and girls, the most common downside was the V6. In every conversation everyone felt it needed V8.
I’ve seen a couple V8 conversions and they worked out well. But the cost and the massive amount of work was the main complaint.
Plymouth/Chrysler made the same mistake with the 68 Dart. Said they’re was no way a big block would fit. Until Mr Norm and his guys build one and took it to the factory and said yes you can.
That’s when the big blocks went in. Much better Dart. Oh and that wild 426 Hemi Dart, WOW!
W E L C O M E Brian K !!!
(probably not ‘new’ but ‘New’ ta me)
“…a combination of tradition in terms of where the power met the road and innovation in how it did so….”
I like that, well described/written.
“…special about the Prowler was the bold design…” “No” as the write-up goes on “…a shadow-replica of the iconic 1932 Ford hot rods. …” emphasize “shadow” – ie ‘a piecea junk (as 2 my opinion, which dont matter much as so few were built). I say: “never buy this.” after a raise on the lift our place.
Way different then such as the T-Bird (see ignition coil/spark plug issues, oil leaks from valve covers, and potential water pump failures) a few draw backs, nota whole car.
The 1999 Plymouth Howler concept had a v8.
If you look at one’s with front bumper delete, they look WAAAY better!