2001 Plymouth Prowler

Description

Remember when car companies were taking chances and exploring new markets? The results were cars like the Viper, the Ford GT, and perhaps the wildest real-world dream car ever built, the Plymouth Prowler. This 2001 Prowler is one of those rare cars that's actually been driven and enjoyed instead of sitting as static art for 15 years, which means you can get in and start having fun right away!

Prowler Silver Metallic is one of the best shades to ever lay on one of these special cars. Today, it seems to be channeling the great hot rods of the past with its rakish looks and dramatically staggered rolling stock. If you're a real car guy, I don't have to tell you about the Prowler's influences or the homage that it represents. Instead, think about what it represents to Chrysler Corporation. Its real name was the Prowler AIV, which meant Aluminum Intensive Vehicle, and they used this low-production specialty car to learn about how to build aluminum components that are still in use today. The fact that it also looks cool was simply a nice side effect. It's been driven, so there are signs of use throughout, but none of it is major and for a Prowler, I think a few battle scars are a mark of distinction rather than a demerit. If you want a perfect one, they're out there for a lot more money and you'll spend another big pile making a laid-up car roadworthy again, but this one is always ready to part. It's completely stock, of course, and someone has spent plenty of time keeping it clean, waxed, and maintained along the way.

Black leather has a great look in the Prowler, recalling the heavy-duty hides used on vintage rods and even motorcycles. The interior shows wear and tear on the seats and some of the trim, but nothing catastrophic and the cabin is very much still a welcoming, comforting place. Of course, everything was standard in Plymouth's flagship, from A/C and power windows to keyless entry and a massive sound system that fills the cabin with sound, top up or top down. Retro styling cues include the column-mounted tach and center-mounted instrument panel that has a color-matched bezel that was especially dramatic on brightly colored Prowlers like this. The idea is that this is an OEM hot rod with everything fully engineered and fully functional, and it just works. Airbags, seatbelts, and all the bells and whistles truly make the Prowler a no-compromises hot rod. There's even a snug-fitting black convertible top with glass rear window and defroster that stashes below the rear deck for a truly sleek look. With those giant rear tires, there's not a lot of trunk space but does it really matter when the car looks this good?

Chrysler's corporate 3.5 liter 24-valve V6 with 253 horsepower is a snug fit in the pointed engine bay, but given the car's lightweight structure, it delivers entertaining performance. Packed in there are all the bells and whistles plus fuel injection and distributorless ignition, so it always starts and runs, and fuel economy is impressive if you stay out of the loud pedal. The 4-speed automatic transmission was the first installation of Chrysler's "Auto Stick" setup, which allows manual shifting on the fly, and the all-independent suspension soaks up bumps better than any buggy spring setup ever could. Four-wheel discs with ABS are confidence-inspiring. Factory alloys wear 225/45/17 front and 285/40/20 rear tires for a dramatic big-n-little look that's totally traditional.

A very cool car that has become an icon in its own time, the Prowler is a great tribute to the past and perhaps even a smart investment for the future. Considering 2001 was the final year for Plymouth and that this Prowler only has 64,912 miles on the clock, it already has some pedigree to get you started. Call today!