2000 Plymouth Prowler
Plymouth hoped to evoke the past and brighten its future with the 2000 Prowler. The aluminum-bodied sportster was a hit with drivers and collectors. Plymouth was less fortunate, however, and Prowler rode out its last season wearing a Chrysler badge.
The 2000 Plymouth Prowler was a strong-lined and
"fun" alternative to Plymouth's usual lineup.
The show-stopping Prowler appeared in 1997, almost identical to the 1993 concept car. Prowler was an immediate hit. Limited supply and early demand fueled reported selling prices in excess of $100,000 over the Prowler's $39,000 sticker price. Just under 400 1997 Prowlers were built, all in any color you wanted, as long as it was purple.
Early problems at the factory resulted in a shortened 1997 production run and an extended 1999 season, skipping 1998 completely.
Prowler's appeal was more than skin deep. The chassis was formed of precision-welded aerospace-quality aluminum alloy and most of the body was aluminum as well. Use of lightweight materials helped keep the nimble Prowler under 2900 pounds.
The 3.5-liter V-6 made the 2000 Plymouth Prowler as strong as it was flashy.
All Prowlers came with Chrysler's 3.5-liter V-6. Transversely mounted in other Chrysler cars, the V-6 was turned "North-South" to accommodate the Prowler's rear-wheel-drive drivetrain. Prowlers featured a unique one-piece transmission/axle "transaxle" set back in the car for excellent weight distribution. All Prowlers were equipped with Chrysler's AutoStick automatic transmission with manual-shift feature.
Horsepower was 214 for 1997 models and 253 for later versions. Prowlers were quick, with the higher-output cars running from 0-60 mph in about 7 seconds.
After the all-purple first season, Plymouth had fun with color, rolling out much-anticipated new hues, one at a time. Limited-run editions included the red and black "Woodward" and the black and silver "Black Tie."
The interior of the 2000 Plymouth Prowler combined a
futuristic feel with an almost "retro" look.
Plymouth folded in 2001, but Prowler enjoyed a brief run badged as a Chrysler for the 2002 model year. Fewer than 1500 "Chrysler" Prowlers were built. The last Prowler, the only one painted High Voltage Blue, was sold at a charity auction for $175,000.
For more convertibles of the 1990s and 2000s, see:
1990 Buick Reatta
1996 Chrysler Sebring Jxi
1998 Chevrolet Corvette Pace Car Replica
1999 Pontiac Trans Am 30th Anniversary Chevrolet Camero SS
2000 Panoz Esperante
2002 35th Anniversary Chevrolet Camaro SS
2003 Dodge Viper
2004 Cadillac XRL
For more information on all kinds of cars, try these:
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