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Culture & Lifestyle • Automobile

Plymouth Prowler

The Plymouth Prowler was a retro-styled, two-seat sports car sold by Plymouth, and later Chrysler, from 1997 to 2002.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Plymouth Prowler was a retro-styled, two-seat sports car sold by Plymouth, and later Chrysler, from 1997 to 2002. It was known for its hand-crafted aluminum bodywork, open front wheels, and hot rod-inspired design. Total production was 11,702 vehicles across both brand names.

History

The Prowler originated as a 1993 concept car and reached production in 1997. After Plymouth was phased out, the model continued as the Chrysler Prowler until production ended in 2002.

Design

The Prowler was designed as a retro hot rod, with open front wheels, a long hood, and hand-crafted aluminum body panels. Its styling made it one of the most distinctive production cars of the 1990s.

Mechanical layout

It used a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout and was offered as a two-seat roadster. Sources describe a 3.5-litre V6 engine and automatic transmission in production versions.

Production and reception

The car was built in low volumes and remained a niche model throughout its run. It is commonly described as unusual, memorable, and commercially modest in success.

Key facts

  • Based on a 1993 concept car of the same name.
  • Entered production in 1997 as a limited-volume sports car.
  • Distinctive for its retro hot rod styling and exposed front wheels.
  • Plymouth-branded production ended when the Plymouth brand was discontinued; Chrysler-badged Prowlers continued afterward.
  • Production ended in 2002, with 11,702 built in total.
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Canadian context

The Plymouth Prowler is mainly relevant to Canadian readers as an example of a distinctive late-1990s North American sports car that appeared in Canadian car culture, collector markets, and automotive media.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Plymouth Prowler?
A limited-production retro-styled sports car sold by Plymouth and later Chrysler from 1997 to 2002.
How many Plymouth Prowlers were built?
A total of 11,702 Prowlers were produced.
Was the Prowler originally a concept car?
Yes. It was based on a 1993 concept car of the same name.
What made the Prowler unusual?
Its hot rod-inspired styling, exposed front wheels, and aluminum bodywork made it stand out from mainstream production cars.
When did production end?
Production ended in 2002.
Was it sold under the Chrysler name?
Yes. After Plymouth was discontinued, the model continued as the Chrysler Prowler.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plymouth_Prowler
    Supports: Production years, body style, design features, and total production count.
  2. Octane — https://www.octane-magazine.com/articles/plymouth-prowler-buying-guide-history-and-review/
    Supports: Plymouth brand ending, Chrysler-badged continuation, and total production.
  3. MotorTrend — https://www.motortrend.com/features/1997-2002-plymouth-prowler-history-specs-photos
    Supports: General history and end of production.
  4. WhichCar — https://www.whichcar.com.au/features/1997-plymouth-prowler-fast-car-history-lesson
    Supports: Concept origins, production run, and approximate specifications.
  5. Berkley One — https://www.berkleyone.com/2024/12/11/plymouth-prowler/
    Supports: Hand-built aluminum bodywork, roadster layout, and Chrysler continuation.
  6. Cars.com — https://www.cars.com/research/plymouth-prowler-1999/
    Supports: Two-passenger roadster layout, engine specification, and Detroit assembly.
  7. The Prowler Store — https://theprowlerstore.com/Prowler_Info_4.htm
    Supports: Concept origins and production overview.