Auction Car of the Week: 1999 Plymouth Prowler

The Plymouth Prowler stuck a middle finger up at the notoriously tepid American cars of the 1990s. During a decade that favoured playing it safe, Chrysler’s outrageous roadster did anything but.

Inspired by the hot rods of the 1930s, the Plymouth Prowler was – and still is – a very dramatic-looking machine. It is characterised by exposed front wheels with cycle wings, plus a two-piece bumper to cover them.

Other stylistic touches such as the Prowler’s huge haunches, ‘chopped’ convertible roof and wild factory paint colours all bolster its custom car aesthetic.

Seeing the bright

The Prowler Yellow colour seen here, one of 12 offered throughout the car’s production life, might ordinarily be among the more outlandish paint options. However, both Purple Metallic and Inca Gold Pearl make this spec look relatively restrained.

The Chrysler’s muscular appearance is backed up by a lively 3.5-litre 24-valve V6 engine, good for just over 250hp and swift acceleration. Combined with an aluminium body, near 50:50 weight distribution and a rear-wheel-drive layout, the Prowler offers simple, unsophisticated fun.

Just over 30,000 miles have been covered by this Prowler, half of which were in the sunny and dry Californian climate. The car was imported to the UK in 2008.

A modern classic

The Prowler is in impressive condition, with no signs of rust underneath. Its black leather interior only shows minor signs of wear in the expected areas. It also comes with a tow hitch, capable of hauling the custom Prowler trailer available in-period.

The new owner will inherit the original handbooks and workshop manuals, as well as some service history paperwork – including the California title document. The DVLA website reveals a strong MOT history, with no advisories during the last two years, which should offer peace of mind for a car rarely seen on British roads. Its current MOT expires in March 2024.

Car & Classic’s auction of this 1999 Plymouth Prowler, in association with Retro Motor, is now live and runs until 7 September 2023. The expected sale price is between £20,000 and £25,000.

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