Plymouth Prowler
The Plymouth Prowler was renamed Chrysler Prowler in 2001 when the Plymouth brand was discontinued. These statistics include sales data of both the Plymouth Prowler from 1997-2001 and the Chrysler Prowler from 2001-2003. In 2001, sales of the Plymouth Prowler totaled 1,053 units and sales of the Chrysler Prowler totaled 1,134 units, which means a total of 7,763 Plymouth Prowlers were sold in the US. The Prowler, along with cars like the Dodge Viper and Chrysler PT Cruiser, exemplifies a period when Chrysler was willing to take significant design risks.
Plymouth Prowler Overview
The Plymouth Prowler is one of the most distinctive and recognizable cars to emerge from the 1990s. Introduced by the Plymouth division of Chrysler, the Prowler was a retro-styled “hot rod” roadster that looked like nothing else on the road. It was a bold and polarizing design, reflecting Chrysler’s adventurous design spirit during that period.
The Prowler’s journey began as a concept car in 1993. The overwhelmingly positive reception it garnered at auto shows encouraged Chrysler to move it into production. The production version of the Prowler was introduced in 1997. The Prowler’s design was heavily influenced by classic 1930s hot rods, particularly in its open-wheel layout. It featured a pointed nose, sleek body, and exposed front wheels, giving it a unique appearance that was instantly recognizable. The car was built using a significant amount of aluminum, which helped to reduce weight and improve performance.
The Prowler was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that initially produced 214 horsepower, but this was later increased to 253 horsepower in subsequent years. The engine was paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission with AutoStick, which allowed for manual gear selection. While the Prowler wasn’t the fastest sports car on the market, its lightweight construction and rear-wheel-drive configuration made it fun to drive.
While the Prowler was initially launched as a Plymouth model, Chrysler’s decision to phase out the Plymouth brand led to the Prowler being rebranded as a Chrysler vehicle in 2001 and 2002.
Plymouth Prowler Sales Figures
The Prowler had a limited production run. Between 1997 and 2002, just over 11,000 units were produced. Its limited numbers and unique design have made the Prowler a sought-after vehicle among collectors. The Prowler is often remembered as a bold design experiment by Chrysler. While it had its critics, especially those who wished for a more potent V8 engine under the hood, its audacious style has made it an icon of automotive design from that era.
Plymouth Prowler US Sales Data & Charts
US Annual Sales
| Year | Sales Units |
|---|---|
| 1997 | 120 |
| 1998 | 1,594 |
| 1999 | 2,365 |
| 2000 | 2,631 |
| 2001 | 2,187 |
| 2002 | 1,328 |
| 2003 | 516 |
