In the mid-1990s, Chrysler was looking for a way to inject high performance enthusiasm back into Plymouth—much the way the Viper had done for its Dodge brand a few years earlier. The result of its efforts was the 1930s hot rod inspired Prowler, a head turning two-seater drop-top. The Prowler’s place in history, and its active multi-generational following, recently became even stronger when it was included in eBay Motors’s very own Forza Motorsport 6 car pack.
The Prowler’s design was approved by Thomas C. Gale, Chrysler’s design and international director at the time. Gale had a 1932 Ford hot rod in his own garage, and with early influence from a thesis by an Art Center College of Design student named Chip Foose, Chrysler’s planners approved the Prowler for production.
This red 1999 Plymouth Prowler listed now on eBay has only 10,000 miles on the odometer.
Debuting in 1997, the Prowler sported a number of features that were considered fairly unconventional at the time, including its exposed Formula racer-style front suspension and semi-automatic Autostick gearbox, the latter of which was mounted in the rear of the vehicle—similar to a Porsche 944—in order to help achieve a 50-50 front and rear weight balance.
An item of contention for performance enthusiasts at the time, Chrysler’s decision to install a 3.5-liter SOHC V6 engine in the Prowler rather than one of the company’s V8s stunted the Prowler’s potential to some degree. But in its final iteration, the six-cylinder power plant generated 253 horsepower and was capable of getting the 2,800 pound roadster to 60 miles per hour from standstill in a respectable 5.9 seconds.
A mint-condition 1999 purple Plymouth Prowler listed now on eBay.
Yet, what the Prowler will be remembered for most fondly is its attention-grabbing design, one which is often credited with spawning the retro design craze that would follow. That resulted in cars like: the 2002 Ford Thunderbird; the 1960s styled 2005 Ford Mustang; the 2008 Dodge Challenger; and the fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro.
The Prowler modern hot rod as featured in the new eBay Motors car pack for Forza Motorsport.
A Prowler with Lambo doors.
The market for Prowlers is active on eBay. And the aftermarket has been kind to the Prowler as well, providing modifications like the popular bumperette delete kit found on this silver example recently listed on eBay, which removes the mandated front bumpers and substantially cleans up the look of the Prowler. Also, check out the Lambo doors and performance bolt-ons on this 2000 Prowler.
Fewer than 12,000 examples of the Prowler were produced, with 3,100 of them being sold as Chrysler Prowlers after Plymouth closed its doors in 2001. Due to its limited production and enduring design, the Prowler maintained its value throughout the years and still commands formidable numbers on the second-hand market. But if you’re looking to get behind the wheel today, all you need to do is fire up that Xbox One and grab the eBay Motors car pack for Forza Motorsport 6 to live out your modern hot rod dreams.
See Plymouth Prowler Cars & Trucks for sale on eBay.
