Some people view the Plymouth Prowler as a triumph of style over substance, and while I don’t necessarily share that view, I understand the sentiment. The lack of a V8 under the hood and the auto-only drivetrain means it fell short of expectations as a homage to traditional hot rods. However, the performance was still relatively impressive, and tidy examples often generate strong interest when they hit the market. This 1999 example presents well, featuring the rarest color available during that model year. It has no apparent needs beyond a new home, with the seller listing the Prowler here on eBay in Dearborn Heights, Michigan. Frantic action has pushed the price to $22,100 in a No Reserve auction.

I have always liked the styling of the Prowler because it represented a moment when designers were willing to be bold and daring. If the car has a weak point, it is the front bumper execution. It looks like an afterthought and is quite cumbersome. I’m sure Plymouth could have devised a better solution with more time, and I have seen owners remove the bumpers to achieve a look that is more in keeping with the original show concept. This car wears Prowler Yellow paint, which was the rarest color ordered in 1999. Only 561 buyers selected it, with Black landing second on 779. The car’s presentation is hard to fault. The paint shines nicely, and the panels are free from faults or defects. The seller doesn’t mention rust, which is rarely an issue with these classics. The Black soft-top is in good order, and the wonderful factory wheels are free from visible problems.

Lifting the hood reveals the bone of contention with the Prowler. The engine bay should have housed a V8 in an ideal world, but Plymouth equipped the car with a 3.5-liter V6 and a four-speed automatic transmission. However, it is a surprise packet, with the V6 producing 253hp and 255 ft/lbs of torque. The ¼-mile journey should take 14.2 seconds, which actually isn’t too shabby. It is worth comparing that figure with other American production cars to see where the Prowler sits in outright performance. The logical two-seat competition would have been the 1999 Corvette, and an auto-equipped example will show the Prowler a clean set of heels at 13.6 seconds. Okay, it is slower, but there isn’t a yawning chasm between the pair. Many people rave about the performance of the First Generation Mustang, but a ’66 Convertible with the range-topping K-Code under the hood would take 15-seconds to complete the same journey. That isn’t really a fair comparison in most eyes, but it demonstrates how buyer expectations had changed in three decades. The seller confirms this Prowler is in excellent mechanical health, running and driving perfectly. There are no unsettling warning lights on the dash, and with only 27,500 miles on the clock, it is a turnkey classic that should offer years of reliable service.

This Prowler’s interior condition is consistent with the rest of the vehicle. There is no visible wear on the Black leather or evidence of abuse or aftermarket additions. It appears to need nothing and is nicely equipped in a 1999 context. The new owner receives dual airbags, air conditioning, power windows, power locks, power mirrors, cruise control, a leather-wrapped tilt wheel, and a premium AM/FM radio and CD changer.

This 1999 Plymouth Prowler won’t appeal to everyone, but that is true of almost any classic. However, it is a clean and tidy survivor with no apparent needs. It has generated significant interest, attracting thirty-two bids with time remaining on the auction. Recent sales results suggest it should comfortably top $25,000 before the hammer falls, which is considerably less than the $39,300 it would have cost its first owner. If you wanted a Prowler in 1999 but missed out, this is a chance to rectify that while keeping a considerable stash of cash in your wallet. That sounds like a win/win to me.