2000 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 most wild real-world dream car ever built, the Plymouth Prowler. This 2000 Prowler shows just over 1400 original miles, making it for all intents and purposes, a brand-new car.

Finished in black with a black leather interior, this Prowler is downright sinister, 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. As a low-mileage car, the highest praise I can give it is that it's like new in every way. That means no scuffs on the chin, no parking lot dings in its aluminum skin, and no chips on the rockers where the big tires threw up some gravel. It's complete stock, of course, and someone has spent plenty of time keeping it clean, waxed, and maintained.

Black leather has a great look in the Prowler, recalling the heavy-duty hides used on vintage rods and even motorcycles. 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 light colored Prowlers. 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 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 stars 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 and Goodyear run-flat tires show almost no use and are a must for preservation classes in the future.

A very cool car that has become an icon in its own time, the Prowler is a great tribute to the past and a smart investment for the future. Call today!