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2001 Chrysler Prowler Roadster Convertible

Available on Collector Car Canada is a 2001 Chrysler Prowler Roadster Convertible.  This car was originally released for model year 1997 at a time when Chrysler Corporation’s retro-style vehicles were hot.  Chip Foose, a designer of considerable renown, was involved with the development of the Prowler, which came on the heels of the Dodge Viper’s early success, from the earliest drawings.  We believe it is fair to say that this Prowler has better stood the test of time than has the other period retro vehicle of note, the Chrysler P/T Cruiser, which, counterintuitively today, sold with substantial dealer mark-ups when released.  Alas, after no 1998 Prowlers, 1999s were the last examples of Plymouths in Canada, a time of change for Chrysler with the Mercedes merger.  But the Prowler was too good to walk away from.  So, it was rebadged as a Chrysler for the 2001 model year as it prowled into the 21st century; approximately 2/3 of the 11,702 Prowlers built were with Plymouth badging so this Chrysler is in more rarified air.  These remain a favourite of the cruise night Mopar set, what the retro styling, minimal fenders and futuristic touches like its headlights.

The car on offer is a US-market model which was imported into Canada in 2007.  All import fees and taxes were paid at that time.  Further peace of mind in this regard for bidders is had in the fact that this vehicle is being sold by a registered dealer.  Adding to the retro look of this car is the two-tone black-on-silver paint scheme.  The paint is of a pedigree that speaks to a careful ownership past, one during which no noticeable blemishes have accumulated.  The black soft top, simple and manually operated (quite manageable, considering its compact size covering only two seats), is also in very nice condition with no tears, rips or obvious imperfections.  The car is equally sleek, top up or top down – though the retro diehards will always prefer top down.  Even the protective vinyl coverings on the exposed side of the rear fenders are unmarked.  The upgraded STARR chrome rims offer a double-staggered set-up, up from the stock 17s with 20s, with 18-inch diameter up front and 22s in the rear.  Older BFGoodrich g-force performance tires have great tread remaining, sized 225/40 and 285/35, respectively.  The dramatic grille-featured front end with uncovered front suspension and chrome dual exhaust tips speak to the retro roadster styling of the car.

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The interior is a dark charcoal, with leather upholstery covering the seats.  There are a number of nostalgic touches here, as well.  The big three-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel, with rear-mounted audio controls, fronts a 7000 RPM tachometer and a headlight control knob.  Other instrumentation is centre-mounted, 240 km/h speedometer is the largest gauge, flanked by volt meter and oil pressure gauge to the left, fuel gauge and water temperature to the right.  Gauges are black on white faces with orange indicator needles.  Sound comes in the form of an AM/FM/Cassette stock head unit, with equalizer.  A power outlet is placed just to its right, HVAC controls – including a/c are found below it.  Shifter is centred on the floor with a handbrake and “Prowler”-embroidered mats under foot.  Leather seats are embossed with a Prowler profile, the car also features power windows, power locks, cruise control and tilt wheel.

The power plant is Chrysler’s flagship V6 of the period, a fuel-injected 3.5 litre mill capable of 253 horsepower at 6400 RPM when new, with 255 lb.-ft. of torque (3950 RPM).  This propelled the car 0-60 in 5.9 seconds.  It is electronically limited to 203 km/h.  The four-speed transmission is mounted in the rear, getting more weight on top of the drive wheels and aiding with traction.  While some deride the engine for being the same as that installed in the period 300M, it is necessarily uncomplicated and widely known by service shops.  Car starts, runs and stops very well, indicative of careful ownership and the low 29,000 miles it has accumulated since new.  The car has a sparkling clean Carfax in terms of damage.  While there is a “potential odometer rollback” reported, with the digital six-digit odometer combined with the US history of the car, an administrative error is very likely – especially when km readings were reported to Carfax for a car with an odometer in miles.  We believe all of the km reporting is actually miles, consistent with representing the car to have travelled a little under 29,000 miles.

This 2001 Chrysler Prowler Roadster Convertible is available from the selling dealer in Watford, Ontario.

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