Photo: Motorcar Classics
Summer is already upon us, and if you're not fast enough, it might easily slip past your travel plans because it won't last forever. So, if you're in a hurry to find a quick and quirky summer ride, here's a Prowler idea.
Produced during a time when automakers thought they knew better than most customers what made their retro hearts tickle, the Plymouth and later Chrysler Prowler was a retro-styled sports car produced between 1997 and 2002 by DaimlerChrysler, now known as Stellantis.
Chrysler's engineers and designers received a blank sheet to create anything they liked, such as a hot rod/sports car type, a state of mind that also yielded models like the Chrysler PT Cruiser at their company or the Chevrolet SSR at General Motors. By the way, the Prowler was supposed to become the next halo model for the company's brands after the Dodge Viper showstopper.
Long story short, it didn't achieve the latter's universal stardom – and not by a mile. Instead, it was only built across a single generation - spanning just five years of production with a front-engine and RWD plus rear transmission configuration. With just 11,702 units produced, it's safe to say that it wasn't a resounding success, especially since it wasn't an exotic two-door roadster due to its simple 3.5-liter V6 and four-speed automatic transmission combo.
Of course, maybe people also didn't like the striking Indy and Formula One-style open front wheels. Who knows? Anyway, as time passed, this model hasn't started to age like fine wine – but it's a potentially quirky ride that you can use for the summer to stand out in any crowd and then ditch before it becomes a burden on the family budget. Especially the later models, as from the 1999 model year, the Chrysler SOHC V6 engine got an upgrade via a new aluminum block and jumped from 214 to 253 horsepower.
The Prowler was also the first rear-wheel drive Plymouth since 1989, when the company sent the Gran Fury into retirement – so it holds some collectible value. Anyway, this 1999 Plymouth Prowler is for sale from New York-based Motorcar Classics, which probably thinks it has you covered if you're willing to write a check for almost $38k and get this as a summer companion. After all, you won't go by unnoticed thanks to the crazy design and crimson-over-black exterior and interior color combination.
The dealer says the exterior color is red even though it mostly looks orange, while the interior treatment is in Agate Black leather. It's also supposedly one of just 1,322 examples built in this mix and has been pampered since new as it holds just 1,935 miles on the odometer, even a quarter of a century since it was born on the production line. There's also a Borla exhaust system with carbon fiber tips and a black top. Plus, it has a custom rear valance and a rear bumper delete. So, do you dig it as a summer sidekick?
Chrysler's engineers and designers received a blank sheet to create anything they liked, such as a hot rod/sports car type, a state of mind that also yielded models like the Chrysler PT Cruiser at their company or the Chevrolet SSR at General Motors. By the way, the Prowler was supposed to become the next halo model for the company's brands after the Dodge Viper showstopper.
Long story short, it didn't achieve the latter's universal stardom – and not by a mile. Instead, it was only built across a single generation - spanning just five years of production with a front-engine and RWD plus rear transmission configuration. With just 11,702 units produced, it's safe to say that it wasn't a resounding success, especially since it wasn't an exotic two-door roadster due to its simple 3.5-liter V6 and four-speed automatic transmission combo.
Of course, maybe people also didn't like the striking Indy and Formula One-style open front wheels. Who knows? Anyway, as time passed, this model hasn't started to age like fine wine – but it's a potentially quirky ride that you can use for the summer to stand out in any crowd and then ditch before it becomes a burden on the family budget. Especially the later models, as from the 1999 model year, the Chrysler SOHC V6 engine got an upgrade via a new aluminum block and jumped from 214 to 253 horsepower.
The Prowler was also the first rear-wheel drive Plymouth since 1989, when the company sent the Gran Fury into retirement – so it holds some collectible value. Anyway, this 1999 Plymouth Prowler is for sale from New York-based Motorcar Classics, which probably thinks it has you covered if you're willing to write a check for almost $38k and get this as a summer companion. After all, you won't go by unnoticed thanks to the crazy design and crimson-over-black exterior and interior color combination.
The dealer says the exterior color is red even though it mostly looks orange, while the interior treatment is in Agate Black leather. It's also supposedly one of just 1,322 examples built in this mix and has been pampered since new as it holds just 1,935 miles on the odometer, even a quarter of a century since it was born on the production line. There's also a Borla exhaust system with carbon fiber tips and a black top. Plus, it has a custom rear valance and a rear bumper delete. So, do you dig it as a summer sidekick?
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