Let’s forget the Prowler for a second, even though this article does feature a 2000 example listed here on eBay. Instead, let’s ask a question: why does a manufacturer build a car like this? A car that wouldn’t have wide appeal, a car that would be costly to develop? And turning back to the Prowler, it was assigned to a dying brand – Plymouth would be killed off in 2001. Yet, here we are, with about 11,700 copies of a relatively modern retro-rod running around. The answer lies in Chrysler’s momentarily flush situation in the ’90s – flush enough to give its engineers a moment of leeway – and the notion that a halo car might help Plymouth. The company was also keen to use the platform to test new materials. If you want to join the fraternity of modern retro-rod owners, this car is worth a look. It’s bid to $28,100, and it’s a one-owner, low-mileage car, located in Apopka, Florida.
Working on the Prowler was a plum job, which required a separate application process within the company. The car was essentially hand built. It showcased an extruded aluminum alloy frame, aluminum and composite body panels – pinned together with self-piercing rivets and industrial adhesive – an aluminium dash, and control arms crafted using a combination casting/forging technique new to the industry. The vintage styling was modified by modern safety requirements, and it was as controversial then as it remains now.
While the materials and methods were exotic, most of the Prowler’s mechanical and trim components were right out of Chrysler’s parts bins. The first cars received a 3.5 liter V6 making about 214 hp; by the time this car was made, the engine was a high-output version of the same V6 rated at 253 hp, bringing the Prowler’s zero to sixty time below 6 seconds. A four-speed automatic was installed at the rear axle, borrowed from Chrysler’s sedans. The steering came from its vans, and the suspension came from the Viper. This car has clocked only 4900 miles from new, and it comes with a few bits of documentation.
The modern interior offers “Agate” leather seating, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, dual airbags, power door locks and windows (recently repaired on this example), and a stereo system, augmented here with a CD changer. Despite its racy styling and exotic materials, the Prowler never lived up to its promise – most prospective buyers pined for a V8. This equivocation probably explains the Prowler’s “used car” pricing today, with almost no premium for low miles or perfect paint: new, these cars cost $43k new, and I’m going to bet this example will struggle past $30k. Would that price tempt you to add this retro-rod to your garage?
Horrible vehicles IMHO..
How hard would it have been for the German lords of Chrysler to have put a V8 and a stick in it? Even a lowly 318 put out fair HP by then, even a truck 360. Was the Hemi around then? A five or six speed, and it would have been a legend. Yes, the V6 auto was adequate for performance, but this is an image machine as much as a driving one. I don’t think the sour kraut eaters understood America. So what happened? Now we have more know nothing Euro trash running what is left of the once great engineering giant. Rest in peace Chrysler, you will be remembered fondly. Its too bad the almighty dollar ruined you, but of course, isn’t that almost always the case?
The designers claimed that the shape of the Prowler precluded a V8.
I agree that what remains of the roll-up that was Chrysler is not long for this world. But I also think Ford and GM are dead men walking, and so is VW. VW was never able to shake the effects of the diesel scandal. I’m not sure, in fact, what Western-world or former Western-world auto company is healthy any longer. Jaguar is a write-off, it’s not even going to sell a car in 2025, planning to be all-EV by 2026 with its first “car” out then, estimated to cost 100,000 GBP. Good luck with that.
The dollar isn’t the problem so much as it is misjudgment of the market. A lot of these companies have factories in the countries where they sell, ameliorating currency effects. But almost everyone except Toyota missed the fact that people would prefer hybrids over EVs, for instance. ‘Course, they didn’t have a government mandating what gets sold. And back in the day, Chrysler was late late late to the downsizing party. They’ve all made mistakes that proved very difficult to overcome.
I have always liked these, I know what all the haters think and I don’t care if I get the opportunity to own one in my beer budget I’m going to get it I just think it would be frun.
Troy…Let haters hate. My nephew had one. He and his wife made the 600 miles each way road trip from where they live in Utah to where I live in Arizona. They were both late 50s at the time. The only complaint they had was there wasn’t enough storage room for 2 people to pack enough clothes etc for a week long stay away from home road trip. Both loved the car and enjoyed the trip in it. I thought the cool factor was extremely high. My only real reason I couldn’t own one is it and my arthritis weren’t then nor would they be now, on good terms about getting in and out frequently. Were they practical? Heavens no! Is any 2 seat car practical? Not really. Never stopped people from buying a Corvette though if they really wanted one.
One of the most impractical cars ever made. What a waste of resources to bring this to production. Look at Chrysler now. Maybe they shouldn’t have wasted their money!
The Prowler was built because the Head of vehicle design, Tom Gale, wanted the car.
@Michelle
I read an article probably 3 decades ago about how when General Motors meets its demise Chevrolet will go back to being an independent car company and Cadillac will also go independent with a new owner. Everything else will disappear as Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Saturn, Saab already has.
Never read anything about Fords demise except they will be the last to go.
What is replacing them is Toyota, Nissan, Tesla, Lucid, Hyundai, Kia & Rivian. But that’s what’s going to be our choices in the near future. Maybe Chevy and Cadillac will survive if someone buys them but doubt they would last very long.
To a boomer, the automotive future looks bleak.
Ford’s stock price is the same as it was in 1993. Zero return to the shareholder since then. GM is modestly better but not by much. Stellantis, same price as in 2017, so ok it’s gone up a bit. Lucid and Rivian are functionally bankrupt. That doesn’t mean they can’t survive, but it’s likely to be at the behest of the government. Rivian just received a $6 billion loan guaranteed by you and me, taxpayers, to try to save it. That’s good money after bad, most likely.
I’m not saying share momentum is a harbinger of future prospects – but in fact that tends to be true. These are very capital intensive businesses and low returns to shareholders discourages capital formation and restrains growth.
Meanwhile, Hyundai, Kia, Toyota and Nissan are facing drastically cheap Chinese EV imports in many of their markets. Check this out:
https://heatmap.news/electric-vehicles/why-the-cheapest-ev-in-the-world-is-actually-better-than-all-the-better-evs
The Chinese will completely obliterate car makers in any market where they are allowed to operate. And where they are not allowed to operate, their very existence will pressure makers anyway. Ford and GM have lost nearly all their market share in China. Won’t be long before they abandon the market, and that will ripple down the chain. It’s not a good scenario for legacy makers.
“only original once”
Ended at $30,100.
Reserve Not Met.
Chevrolet /pontiac , picked the parts bin for cheap parts and we all know how that turned out with the fiero …
I tried the fiero , i tried the prowler and so many other cars but opted for a porsche boxter , a huge front trunk(frunk) a trunk (rear) handling and performance , my preferred 2 seater , we went everywhere with it cause we could bring our clothes and stuff without hauling a trailer(prowler) if the germans were able to build such a car in 1997 , where were the americans ?
I now own a c4 and i hate it , love the clamshell, the engine view but no trunk , i bought it cause i like the white paint, white top and red interior , hardly use it cause its useless
YOLO