1999 Plymouth Prowler

1999 Plymouth Prowler — Black on Black, Aluminum Space Frame Roadster with Mopar Trailer Hitch

Why This Car Is Special

The 1999 Plymouth Prowler is one of the more unusual vehicles to come out of the American auto industry in the last three decades. It started as a concept car that Chrysler debuted at the 1993 Detroit Auto Show, and the response was strong enough that the company actually built it — something that almost never happens with show cars as extreme as this one. Production began in 1997, and by the time the model was discontinued after the 2002 model year, just over 11,000 Prowlers had been built across all years. That is a small number by any measure, and it makes every 1999 Plymouth Prowler a legitimate low-production collectible.

What made the Prowler worth serious attention when it was new, and what keeps it interesting today, is that Chrysler did not cut corners on the engineering. The chassis is a fully riveted and bonded aluminum space frame — the same construction philosophy used in aircraft and high-end European sports cars. The body panels are polymer composite. The result is a curb weight around 2,800 pounds, which is genuinely light for a V6 convertible with air conditioning and a full complement of power accessories. The suspension geometry was designed to reference 1930s hot rod proportions while actually working as a modern independent setup at all four corners. The front suspension is fully exposed and unenclosed by bodywork, which is a direct nod to classic American custom car culture.

This particular car is finished in black over a black leather interior — a combination that suits the Prowler's low, aggressive proportions well. It carries a factory Mopar trailer hitch, which is a relatively uncommon find on a Prowler and a detail that tells you about the Chrysler accessory ecosystem built around the model. Chrysler offered a matching teardrop trailer called the Prowler Sport Trailer that was designed specifically for this car, and the hitch is exactly what you would need to tow one. Whether you source that trailer or not, the hitch is a genuine factory accessory and adds a useful piece of Prowler history to this example.

Features List

- 3.5L V6 24-Valve engine producing 253 horsepower
- 4-Speed AutoStick automatic transmission with manual shift capability
- Aluminum space frame construction with polymer composite body panels
- Gull-wing scissor doors
- Black soft convertible top with heated rear window
- Exposed front suspension with independent rear suspension
- 4-wheel disc brakes
- Chrome 5-spoke wheels
- Goodyear Eagle performance tires
- Dual exhaust with chrome tips
- Power steering
- Black leather bucket seats with embossed Prowler logo
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls
- Prowler-logo floor mats
- Roll safety hoops
- Cruise control
- Power windows, locks, and mirrors
- Keyless entry
- Dual airbags
- Air conditioning
- AM/FM cassette stereo
- Tachometer and full multi-gauge instrument cluster
- Mopar trailer hitch

Mechanical

The engine in the 1999 Plymouth Prowler is Chrysler's 3.5-liter single-overhead-cam V6, a 24-valve unit rated at 253 horsepower. This is the same engine family used in the Chrysler 300M and the LHS sedans of the same era. It is a proven, durable unit with a solid parts supply. The 1997 and early 1998 Prowlers were initially offered with a 214-horsepower version of this engine, but Chrysler upgraded the output for the 1999 model year and improved the torque curve as well, making the 1999 a meaningfully better performer than the earliest cars.

The transmission is Chrysler's 4-speed AutoStick unit, which allows the driver to manually select gears via a console-mounted shifter without a traditional clutch pedal. This was not a true manual option but it gave the driver a reasonable degree of control over gear selection, which matters in a car this light.

The aluminum space frame visible in the underbody photos is worth examining closely. Ch