Plymouth Prowler | Spotted
On the prowl for a summer soft top like no other? Do we have the car for you...
Even with the freedom now afforded to automotive design thanks to electric power, it isn’t often that a jaw-dropping concept makes it to the road looking just as sharp as it did at the motor show. At least not anything vaguely affordable, that is. Perhaps the Porsche Taycan is notable for staying true to the Mission E concept, though it’s hardly likely to make people stop and stare. And while the reality is somewhat inevitable - production cars face more constraints on design than ever before - it doesn’t make the situation any less disappointing. Once you’ve seen the ultimate version, it’s hard to accept the diluted production model. See Toyota FT-1 to Supra, for example.
Anyway, the point is relevant to the Plymouth Prowler, because here’s a car that went from motor show stunner to production machine virtually unchanged. Which wasn’t totally unheard of 30 years ago, because there was a lot more flexibility and freedom when it came to making cars (as well as money), but it was quite the achievement for something as daring as the Prowler. In 1993, nothing looked like the concept; all these years later, the impact of the real thing remains totally undimmed. While some cars from the '90s now look a bit tame and meek, the Prowler is as unabashed as ever.
It was styled by Chrysler design director of the time Thomas C. Gale, who you won’t be surprised to learn was inspired by the hot rods of the '30s. The end result, bonnet dramatically tapering and rear deck almost none existent, certainly channelled that vibe. The huge rear tyres, high windowline and exposed front suspension ensured the Prowler was dramatic in a modern context, and not just a retro pastiche.
Really, it should have had a V8, to do the hot rod aesthetic justice; no one would call a 3.5 V6 paired to a four-speed auto evocative. Especially in the early cars, with just 217hp (this is a later one, with 257hp). But the design won more people over than you might expect, with 11,702 sold from 1997 to 2002; some were Plymouths, as here, with later cars badged as Chrysler Prowlers once the Plymouth name was retired. Everyone will know it’s a Prowler, that much seems assured. And everyone will be expecting the purple, which is handy for this particular one; there were actually 12 colours offered for the Prowler over its five years on sale, but Prowler Purple feels like the colour you have to have.
This 1999 car has been in the UK for at least 20 years, with an MOT history back to the very first digital records. Mileage has been sparse in this decade, however, with only 300 miles covered since the 2018 test and last year’s inspection. It wasn’t on the road from ‘21 to ‘25, but is now MOT'd, ready to rock and roll. Plus, of course, looking extraordinary. Normally when a car is offered at POA, you can have a good guess at what that price might be. But a Plymouth Prowler that needs a bit of TLC? It’s very hard to tell. Is this one of the great modern classic collectables from the USA? Or a bit too much hard work for a hot rod without a V8? Let’s hope somebody is brave enough to take it on and get the Prowler back to its best, because if ever there’s a car that deserves to be regularly seen on the road, this has to be it. The reactions alone would surely be worth the effort…
SPECIFICATION | PLYMOUTH PROWLER
Engine: 3,518cc V6,
Transmission: Four-speed semi-auto, rear-wheel drive
Power(hp): 257@6,400rpm
Torque(lb ft): 255@3,950rpm
MPG: Not many
CO2: Quite a lot
First registered: 1999
Recorded mileage: 25,000
Price new: $39,300 (1999)
Yours for: POA
They did, however, offer semi-official dealership tunes (as seems to be the American way) that got fairy healthy, like 350+hp, from the older 5.2/5.9 - so it wasn't beyond them to drop-in something more in keeping...
I wonder what the POA is - they tend to be about £50k on the continent.
It is a shame it wasn't a V8, even if it didn't make much power you'd have had that noise to go with the hot rod looks.
For what it's worth, I like them simply because they are different, but in a good way. All seemed a bit silly when they were launched but the years have been kind to them. Full kudos to Chrysler for launching such a thing - would never happen these days. For those who like to be noticed ( not me ), it's a good place to put your money.....
For what it's worth, I like them because they're different. I don't think the absence of a V8 makes much of a difference - you either like it or you don't. You could put a diesel in it and it wouldn't lose any impact.
In my head, there isn't a better car for a California millionaire in his 60s that looks like a Jeff Bridges character.
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