You have to hand it to Chrysler for taking risks on car designs. The same company that produces somewhat mundane vehicles, such as the Caravan and the Calibre, also take some big risks with cars like the Viper. One of those risks was sort of a follow-up to the Viper, the Prowler.
Somehow in the late 1990s Chrysler’s design and international director Tom Gale was given a free hand to develop a hot rod type vehicle. With Gale owning a 1932 Ford hot rod himself, you can see where it all went once you look at the production version of the Prowler.
Of interest is that legendary designer and customizer, Chip Foose, had a great deal to do with the design of the Prowler. While in his senior year at Art Center, his graduation project was a Chrysler-promoted competition to design a concept car. Chip named his design the “Hemisfear,” and that design project fed much of the design of the Prowler.
The Prowler, initially sold under the Plymouth name, was introduced as a 1997 model. Production was interrupted for a year and it was then again available from 1999 through 2002. The car was rebranded as the Chrysler Prowler from 2001-2002. The Prowler is a very low production car for Chrysler with a total of only 11,702 built.
Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this thoughtfully and tastefully modified 2003 Chrysler Prowler.
According to the seller, this 2002 Chrysler Prowler has been upgraded with a door-opening limit increase kit, a front bumper delete with turn signal kit, polished stainless steel front suspension trim kit, aftermarket chrome trim, and more. In addition it has only covered 32,000 miles from new.
It is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 backed by a four-speed automatic transmission. Power features include the mirrors, windows, locks, steering, and brakes. Additional features include cruise control, dual airbags, a digital AM/FM/cassette stereo with an iPhone integration kit, a CD changer, and air conditioning. It is painted in one of the best colors for the car, Prowler Yellow, and equipped with a manual black soft top over an Agate leather interior. This final-year Prowler comes from the selling dealer with an owner’s manual, two keys with remotes, floor mats, a clean CARFAX report, and a clear title.
The car rides on 17-inch front and 20-inch rear factory five-spoke chrome wheels with aftermarket chrome center caps and tri-bar spinners with newer 225/45R17 front and 295/40R20 rear Continental tires.
The pictures show a car that has been tastefully modified and extremely well cared for over the years, and the modifications on this one do nothing but improve the look of this Prowler. These are legitimately rare cars, and are quite high tech, with extensive use of aluminum in their chassis, an inboard suspension design like a F1 car, and go fast enough to be great fun to drive.
The Prowler is also becoming more collectible each year, and examples such as this one are likely to continue to move up in value over the years. The days when a big company like Chrysler built a production car with as radical a design as the Prowler are long gone.
A car with the classic 1950s Hot Rod look but modern amenities and reliability, what else can you ask for?
The online auction for this 2002 Chrysler Prowler ends on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, at 12:45 p.m. (PDT)
Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery
