Digestible Collectible: 2001 Chrysler Prowler

I’ve a little confession to make: I’m not really a big fan of hot rods. Some of that may be my age, as I grew up in the ’80s and ’90s, when imported sports cars were generally a preferred means of automotive expression.

Alternatively, the overall “ People of Walmart” vibe I get when attending any sort of hot rod event has, by juxtaposition, possibly soured the entire genre for me.

So, count me among those who didn’t drool over the Prowler when it was released in 1997. An overstyled modern interpretation of a ’32 Ford roadster, powered by a Chrysler V-6? In the immortal words of Lisa Simpson, meh.

The years may have changed me a bit, though, as well as an appreciation of the high-tech aluminum chassis that was years ahead of its time. This 2001 Chrysler Prowler doesn’t look too bad to my eyes.

The deep blue paint makes the car as subtle as any Prowler can ever be, though I kinda dig the purple that was all over the first run of cars. These ’99 and newer cars had the benefit of a more powerful V6, with 253 horsepower rather than 214, and thus were significantly quicker.

The interior is, frankly, sad. It’s at once familiar to anyone who has driven a ’90s-era Mopar, and to anyone who has skimmed an aftermarket performance parts catalog. Take a look at that tiny Autometer tachometer haphazardly placed atop the steering column. That’s a factory piece, not added on. The five gauge cluster centered on the dash is equally cheesy looking. I understand that parts-bin engineering is required for low-volume cars, but this is sad.

It’s not like I could ever use a Prowler daily driver as the transaxle is located in its rear making luggage space minimal at best. Have any other OEMs ever offered matching trailers to expand the trunk?

As much as I want to hate the dated styling, indifferent interior, and poor usability, I can’t truly hate the Prowler. It seems to be holding value, as this one for $21,000 seems to be near the bottom of the market. Good ones trade for over $30,000.

Incidentally, the always-reliable Wikipedia page for the Prowler mentions that the bonded-aluminum body was produced in Shadyside, Ohio, then shipped to Conner Avenue in Detroit for final assembly. Several other sites around the web have blindly repeated the Wiki. Allpar, a great reference otherwise for Mopar history, mentions nothing of Shadyside, a small town along the Ohio River not far from my wife’s hometown.

Does anyone have more details about this?

Chris Tonn is a broke classic car enthusiast that writes about old cars, since he can’t afford to buy them. Commiserate with him on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.