The Plymouth Prowler was a snapshot of Chrysler during a highly experimental phase that had earlier resulted in the legendary Dodge Viper. The Prowler launched in 1997, and nothing else on the road looked quite like it. This was a major endeavor for Chrysler at the time, since the Prowler wasn’t based on any other existing platform. The bespoke design and construction created a model with similar exclusivity and bespoke factor to the Dodge Viper, and the two machines were built alongside one another at the now-closed Conner Avenue assembly plant in Detroit.
The Plymouth Prowler is a cool bit of Americana, with 235 hp under the hood.Bring A Trailer
A troublesome launch, pause, and re-launch of the Prowler combined with a powertrain that was never quite up for the job to make this outrageous-looking machine a longer-term affair. Though its life was short, the hand-built Prowler left a tremendous impact and reignited a market-wide passion for retro-inspired styling before promptly exiting the scene just as automakers around the world were queuing up their own new retro nameplates. The Prowler was, probably, two cylinders away from a much greater success story, though it certainly wasn’t a failed experiment.
The Dodge Intrepid Engine Was Never Quite Enough
The Plymouth Prowler is a cool bit of Americana, with 235 hp under the hood.Bring A Trailer
Criticisms mounted in the first year. Had the Prowler project blown the budget on the new chassis and design? Maybe so, maybe no. Still, the initial offering of a 3.5-liter Iron Block V6 engine from Chrysler’s parts bin wasn’t deemed powerful (or special) enough to back the looks and presence the Prowler had on the road.
2000 Plymouth Prowler Maroon FrontStellantis Newsroom
Production of the initial 214-horsepower version was paused for 1998, and the Prowler returned in 1999 with an upgraded engine that now had an aluminum block and an output bump to 253 hp, though by many accounts, it was still two cylinders shy of a winner.
Even with the upgraded aluminum V6, the Prowler’s powertrain was failing to live up to the ambition of its design. Though the lightweight construction and balanced driving experience enabled by its rear-mounted transmission meant the Prowler was intended for sportiness and not brute force, the combination of high-performing looks and a rental-car engine meant that its story would be a short one. With the 1999 re-launch of the upgraded Prowler came its best sales year, with 3,921 units built.
The Plymouth Prowler is a cool bit of Americana, with 235 hp under the hood.Bring A Trailer
By early 2002, the final Prowler was built at the end of a highly shortened model year. Though the V6 engine and automatic transmission likely held the Prowler back from greater success, this project did put Chrysler on the map when it came to daring design maneuvers backed by the latest technologies, among which various lightweight aluminum-bonding techniques were now firmly secured within the automaker’s engineering toolkit for future use.
It Kicked Off The Retro Craze Then Promptly Left The Building
2000 Plymouth Prowler Top Down Burgundy Front Angled ViewStellantis Newsroom
Still, the Prowler’s story is sort of a sad one from a product perspective: though it was a pioneer of the late 90s to mid-2000’s retro craze, it didn’t stick around long enough to see many of the competitor creations it helped inspire. By the time the retro styling era hit full stride, the car that kicked off the trend was already long gone. Still, the Volkswagen New Beetle first arrived in 1998, right on the Prowler’s heels. Though these two machines weren’t competitors, they combined to bring a lot of attention to refreshes of age-old styling.
1999 Plymouth Prowler
(updated engine)
2003 Chevrolet SSR
2002 Ford Thunderbird
2005 Ford Mustang GT
Engine
3.5-liter V6 gas
5.3-liter V8 gas
3.9-liter V8 gas
4.6-liter V8 gas
Power
253 hp @ 6,400 rpm
290 hp @ 5,200 rpm
252 hp @ 6,100 rpm
300 hp @ 5,750 rpm
Torque
255 lb-ft @ 3,950 rpm
335 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm
267 lb-ft @ 4,300 rpm
320 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm
Transmission
4-speed automatic
4-speed automatic
5-speed automatic
5-speed manual
0-60 mph (approx)
6.0 seconds
7.6 seconds
7.5 seconds
5.1 seconds
The Chrysler PT Cruiser arrived in 2001 alongside the new Mini Cooper, both just a year before the Prowler’s discontinuation. Months after the Prowler left the market, the retro-inspired 2002 Ford Thunderbird arrived, with the failed Chevrolet SSR right on its tail in 2003. The Ford Mustang put retro styling into the mainstream for the S197 generation in 2005. Next came models like the Chevrolet HHR (2006), Toyota FJ Cruiser and Fiat 500 (2007), Dodge Challenger (2008), and Chevrolet Camaro (2010), all rocking retro-inspired looks that blended in various modern touches.
2000 – 2001 Plymouth Prowler – interiorChrysler
The Prowler had proven that nostalgia could sell, and Dodge would be back on the scene with a retro-styled smash in the form of the 2008 Challenger, which went on to sell over multiple generations and updates.
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A Whole Aftermarket Emerged For High-Power Prowlers
Hellcat-Powered 2000 Plymouth Prowler By Michels Auto DesignMichels Auto Design
The Prowler even had a concept version with a 4.7-liter V8, dubbed the Howler, that never made it to production. It wasn’t long before aftermarket suppliers and speciality shops started cracking open Prowlers to make even more power, some with supercharger kits on the factory-installed engine, which also responded well to retuned ECUs and custom exhaust systems.
Base Trim Engine
3.5L V6
Base Trim Transmission
4-speed automatic
Base Trim Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive
Base Trim Horsepower
253 HP @6400 RPM
Base Trim Torque
255 lb.-ft. @ 3950 RPM
Base Trim Battery Type
Lead acid battery
Model
Prowler
Creative builders pursued all manner of other engine swaps, installing various more modern Chrysler Hemi engines, including the 6.1 liter SRT unit. The all-popular LS swap made an appearance too, stuffing a Corvette engine under the hood of some Prowler models. A “HellProwler” conversion was even available, if you’d rather your retro roadster stuffed with a horrifying modern supercharged V8 up front.
The Plymouth Prowler is a cool bit of Americana, with 235 hp under the hood.Bring A Trailer
Some of these engine swaps required extensive modifications to the vehicle’s frame, body panels and structure, and are best avoided by the average shopper.
1999 Plymouth Howler Concept
1997 Plymouth Prowler
Engine
4.7-liter PowerTech NA V8
3.5-liter EGG NA V6
Power
250 hp @ 4,800 rpm
214 hp @ 5,850 rpm
Torque
300 lb-ft @ 3,200 rpm
221 lb-ft @ 3,100 rpm
Transmission
5-speed manual
4-speed automatic
0-60 mph (approx)
N/A
7.2 seconds
Though some of the hardware and shops behind the Prowler’s engine swap scene have since disappeared, it helps illustrate that for some Prowler owners, the factory floor offering was just the beginning, and the thirst for more power was a big one.
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What You’ll Pay Today (And What To Know Before You Buy)
2000 – 2001 Plymouth Prowler – front 3/4 angleChrysler
Before we dig into current Prowler pricing, consider the following points as you research that potential new-to-you Prowler purchase.
A low-mileage Prowler shouldn’t be taken to mean it’s in flawless condition: at this age, care and storage quality matter more than odometer readings, and many owners prefer to stick to something with higher miles that’s been regularly driven and maintained. By 25 years old, it’s a good idea to assume that everything made of rubber is a potential failure point until you’ve got proof to the contrary. Old or aging tires, even with plenty of remaining tread, need to be swapped out. Many owners of cars at this age choose to pre-emptively replace coolant hoses and accessory drive belts to prevent possible age-related failures, too.
Plymouth Prowler Black InteriorStellantis Newsroom
Careful with the roof and windows. Since the Prowler is hand-built and has a complex roof and window seal system, it’s important to ensure a detailed inspection of all rubber seals and gaskets involved, and to check for signs of dry rot, cracking, ripping or damage that can invite leaks. On that note, carefully inspect the Prowler’s interior floor area and carpeting for any signs of mildew, dampness, or water staining that could be evidence of a leak.
If there’s a problem with the Prowler’s convertible top, you’ll want to know about it before you buy. Open and close both doors to ensure they latch smoothly, don’t bind or require any forcing, and that they seal properly against the convertible top.
Though the Prowler’s engine and transaxle are primitive tech that should prove easy to care for, a little extra attention to seals, hinges, and power window operation can help prevent headaches and surprises.
2000 – 2001 Plymouth Prowler – interiorChrysler
Nationwide today, the highest-priced Plymouth Prowlers on the second-hand market tend to cap out between $50,000 and $55,000 for extremely low-mileage units. We’re talking 2,000 miles or less. On a car that’s 25 years old, this opens up various challenges for shoppers to be aware of, as rubber seals, batteries, tires, fluids, and upholstery can degrade with time, even while the vehicle sits unused.
Conversely, the cheapest second-hand Prowlers on the market tend to come with anything between 30,000 and 90,000 miles of former use and asking prices around the low-to-mid $20,000s. Around the $30k mark, you should find plenty of selection on lightly miled-up models, with perhaps 20,000 to 40,000 miles on their odometers. Remember, the Prowler wasn’t often used as an everyday vehicle by its owners, who often counted it among a collection of seasonal or occasional-use toys, which helped keep the miles down. As of this writing, it’s tough to find a second-hand Prowler with more than 50,000 miles on the clock.
Sources: michelsautodesign.com, Prowler.ca, Grassroots Motorsports
