2001 Chrysler Prowler
On loan from: Ruben Griess, Wisconsin
Original cost: $38,000.00 – 44,000.00 (In 2001: Average car cost, $25,850.00; average household income, $42,350.00; average home cost, $136,150.00; gallon of gas, $1.46)
Number made: 3,142 (only 1,281 with Daytona Blue paint)
Engine, etc.: V-6, 213.6 cu. in. (3,500 cc), 253 hp, 113″ wheelbase; 2,800 lbs.; automatic; rear wheel drive
Special attribute: Has only 3,781 actual miles
This was the first year Chrysler made Prowlers.
Prowlers first appeared in 1997 and supplies were so limited that early demand resulted in selling prices over $100,000 when the car’s sticker price was $39,000. Only about 400 Prowlers were built in 1997 and all were purple.
The retro-styled car was first built by Plymouth and based on a 1993 concept car. They were made by Plymouth from 1997 to 2001 and by Chrysler in 2001 and 2002.
Chrysler engineers were given free rein to design what ever they wanted in a “hotrod” car. The design director’s love of 1930-era hotrods inspired the design.
They were made with lightweight materials to keep weight down and all came equipped with Chrysler’s 3.5 liter V-6. While criticized for not having a V-8, the horsepower was similar or higher than Chrysler’s Magnum V-8’s of that era. The engine didn’t have the torque of a V-8 but the car’s light weight, due to aluminum construction, allowed for rapid acceleration (1991 – 2002 models: 0 – 62 mph in 5.9 seconds).
The unique one-piece transmission “transaxle” sat back in the car which provided excellent weight distribution. This design was similar to the C5 Corvette, Porsche 944 and Alfa Romeo 75. All came with an automatic transmission with a manual-shift feature. The Prowler was Plymouth’s first rear-wheel drive car since the 1989 Gran Fury and was the last Plymouth model with rear drive.
Due to limited trunk space, an optional trailer was available for $5,000.
In spite of its high profile attraction, the Prowler did nothing to increase sales of everyday Plymouths. This resulted in trouble when Germany’s Daimler-Benz absorbed Chrysler Corporation in 1998. With more concern for shareholder value, than the value Plymouth might have in its American division, Plymouth was doomed.
Plymouth folded in 2001 but the Prowler had a brief run as a Chrysler for the 2001 model year. The last one was built in February, 2002. Less than 1,500 “Chrysler” Prowlers were built. Its model niche was partly filled by the Chrysler Crossfire in 2004.
Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plymouth_Prowler
http://www.prowleronline.com/story.php Prowler Owners Association, “The Prowler Story”
http://www.prowleronline.com/facts.php Prowler Owners Association, “Fact & Stats”
