Often dubbed a triumph of style over substance, Plymouth released the Prowler for the 1997 model year. Reception was, to be polite, lukewarm, with the badge taking a Gap Year in 1998 before reemerging in 1999. This Prowler rolled off the line that year and is a fairly tidy classic featuring a recently installed new motor under the hood. The seller has listed the Prowler on behalf of their grandfather, and we can thank the well-developed classic radar possessed by Barn Finder Curvette for it coming to our attention. The Plymouth is listed here on Craigslist in DuPont, Washington, with an asking price of $15,500.
Concept cars are a hit-and-miss proposition, with most never making it into production. However, when Plyouth unveiled the Prowler Concept in 1993, the overwhelmingly positive response motivated it to release a production version in 1997. This retained almost all of the styling cues found on the original, although Plymouth was forced to add front bumpers to comply with legislative requirements. This car’s current owner has removed the bumpers, and I have always viewed this as a positive move. It gives the front a more elegant appearance that better recaptures the look of a traditional hot rod, although I wish they had left the front fenders intact. Another change made is the installation of aftermarket wheels, which I view as a retrograde step. The factory alloy wheels are muscular and elegant, and the Prowler is a car that deserves to wear them. The seller includes the bumpers in the sale, but doesn’t mention the wheels. They admit that closely examining this driver-grade Red Prowler will reveal minor cosmetic imperfections, but the car still looks presentable. The soft-top also shows some age, but the trim and glass look okay.
Designer Tom Gale admitted that his passion for 1930s hot rods inspired the lines of the Prowler Concept, and it is easy to see that motivation. However, that also brings us to what many potential buyers viewed as the car’s greatest weakness. Those hot rods typically featured a V8 under the hood, but Plymouth not only opted for a 3.5-liter V6, but they teamed it with a rear-mounted four-speed automatic transaxle. No amount of hype could disguise the fact that the V6 developed a relatively modest 214hp and 221 ft/lbs of torque. Following the 1998 production pause, the Prowler reappeared in 1999, but still with a V6 under the hood. The upgraded powerplant introduced for that model year pushed power and torque figures to 253hp and 255 ft/lbs, although still fed to the road via a self-shifter. Sadly, the seller supplies no engine bay shots, but they do confirm that the Prowler has clocked around 8,000 miles since receiving a new engine in 2020. It is a turnkey proposition, and while it won’t be the fastest car on the planet, its drivetrain configuration should provide reasonable performance and a fairly user-friendly driving experience.
The greatest weakness of this particular Prowler could rest with its interior. The leather on the driver’s seat shows a substantial seam separation, and the wheel is exhibiting wear. The console lid is succumbing to age, and the passenger seat base is stretched. I had no trouble locating some as-new console lids for around $150, and a pair of replacement leather seatcovers typically sells for around $900 if the existing covers are deemed beyond repair. I would probably consult a leather specialist as the first port of call with the wheel, because revival may be possible. With secondhand wheels typically selling for over $600, that is an option worth considering. Plymouth loaded the Prowler’s interior with plenty of toys, equipping the car with airbags, air conditioning, power operation for the windows, locks, and mirrors, cruise control, and a premium stereo.
I described the initial reception to the Plymouth Prowler as lukewarm upon its 1997 release. The sales tally of 457 vehicles confirms that, but the situation improved when the company relaunched it in 1999. It proved the badge’s most successful (or least unsuccessful) year, with 3,921 buyers giving one a home. The performance gains from the engine upgrade undoubtedly helped its cause, although potential buyers still longed for a V8 under the hood to provide performance befitting its looks. It is fascinating to examine recent successful sales because it is amazing how many of these cars hit the market with three or four-digit odometer readings. Some people must have believed in the investment potential, which, sadly, remains unfulfilled. This 1999 example isn’t perfect, and the price reflects that fact. However, the reality is that you won’t find many of these classics on the market that are turnkey propositions for $15,500. Is that thought enough to tempt you, or is the lack of a V8 enough for you to focus elsewhere?
Always liked these cars. An owner here thought it would be neat to take the front fenders off until he got caught in the rain.
I think this should sell quickly, the price is right!!
V8 or not this looks like fun for not much money.
I remember someone famous did install a V8 in the Prowler. Mopar 360 at the time. And the jump seat was changed into a little pickup bed with cover. They also had a different name for the Prowler. Someone out there has to remember! Anyway, it was faster and smoked the rear wheels! It’s a shame they didn’t put a V8 in it. I bet it would of sold a lot more! I also remember seeing the concept at the new york car show in Manhattan. Jacob javis center back in the early 90’s. Boy i feel old. 😂 . Any it’s a fair price and should sell quickly. Good luck to the next owner. 🐻🇺🇸
I was on the in house team that bult the Howler. We were trying to prove to ma Mopar that a V8 version could be built with in house parts. We used the new H.O. 4.7L V8 and a 5 speed. We also enlarged the fuel tank due to the V8 but had plenty of room due to the smaller dimensions from the automatic 42re that was was used in the Prowler. Unfortunately the bean counters won and the Prowler was stuck with the 3.5.
Bean counters won way too often at Mopar. That’s probably why they are always a distant 3rd.
Did not like the bumpers and that chin up front.
If it wasn’t on the wrong coast I’d be headed to it with a fist full of hondo’s
what a mess!!
Sounds like a very good deal for Grand Pa’s pride & joy. Designer Tom Gale may have had a major part in its design but Chip Foose also had a hand in it, https://www.hemmings.com/stories/plymouth-prowler-jay-leno/. But it definitely should have been released with a V/8. The front bumper removed really helps its looks, maybe not so much for minus front fenders tho . Like it , and if my situation were different I’d buy it in an instant.
When you remove the front bumperettes, you also remove the front turn signals.
I guess that means it can only be driven in states that do not require vehicle safety inspections. Lack of fenders might also flunk the car.
Plenty of ideas and even a kit for the turn signals. Don’t have the name for it but there is a club out there for these cars.
If you look at pictures of Prowlers. you can see why the front bumpers were quickly deleted – absolutely hideous! The front fenders, at least, would help to keep some of the rain out of your eyes.
Like the bumpers or not, it looks like a soap box racer now, especially w/o the fenders. I wonder if there is a manual transmission axle available that would fit with a V8 upgrade?
I remember when these first came out also the PT Cruiser was coming out. My wife and I were at the Detroit Auto Rama luncheon and we ended up setting with Tom Gale. I was pretty much speechless, but my wife made me look good. Of course the conversation about the two cars was a hot topic. At the time we really didn’t think anyone would buy a Prowler and drive it like this grand dad did. But how cool is it, that he did!
I seem to remember a company called HemiCruisers a while back. Don’t know what happened to them.
motorcycle fenders & clip ons for turn sign.s solve problems.
One came to us but we did not wish to wrk on it due to engineering
or ‘how parts were pulled together’ into the whole. No fun here…
Ugly then, worse now.
The Prowler was about using aluminum in a production vehicle, not about speed. The 3.5 with a 4 speed automatic was a proven combination in the LH cars. No extra engineering required other than the torque tube(drive shaft).
The aluminum chassis was supplied by Alcoa.
It was never meant to be a volume car. It was built in the same plant as the Viper.
I worked at a Dodge/ Chrysler/ Plymouth/ Jeep dealership. Ram was just a thought at that time. I have sold many Prowlers , Vipers and SRT vehicles. Just by looking at the pictures and reading the article I would say this is an example of a terribly abused vehicle.
Why would you need to replace the motor? Why are the seats separating at the seams? Why is the steering wheel in bad shape( per article)? Where are the original wheels, better looking than the aftermarket wheels? Where are the front fenders?
I agree the front bumpers looked like garbage from the factory and removing them maker the car look better.
I think that this is one of those cars I would like to own but would be extremely cautious about making the purchase due to the vehicle history, condition and possible major unseen issues.