Remember the Plymouth Prowler? This retro-styled roadster may be a hot-ticket item once again

When people think of buried treasure, they usually think about silver and gold, not a rare roadster convertible. Believe it or not, though, there’s treasure somewhere underground in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in the form of a 1998 Plymouth Prowler. It was sealed in a vault as part of a time capsule during the city’s centennial celebration that same year. Its subterranean slumber is only halfway over, too — it’ll be unearthed in 2048 during the city’s 150th anniversary celebrations.

And there could be more eyes than expected on the car when it’s finally dug up. In mid-December 2023, Hagerty released its annual “Bull Market List,” featuring ten vehicles it believes will become future collectibles. The Prowler made the list, which made it the perfect time to revisit this standout model and remember what made it so special. 

Shop Plymouth Prowlers today.

An unmistakable style

The Plymouth Prowler was a two-seat roadster with an unforgettable look. Far from practical or utilitarian, the engineering behind it was all “form” and very little “function.” The design language was reportedly inspired by 1930s-era hot rods, complete with open-style front wheels and swooping rear fenders.

Over the course of its five-year lifespan (between model years 1998 and 2002), there were 11,703 Prowlers built, the first of which were sold as early as the summer of 1997. For the first two model years, the Prowler was sold under the Plymouth nameplate, but it switched over to Chrysler in 2000. This move was part of the strategic corporate shift in direction — the Plymouth name would be phased out of existence entirely by Chrysler in 2001.

Prowler production took place in Detroit at Chrysler’s Conner Avenue Assembly Plant. For the first model year, Prowler owners could only option their vehicles in a rich purple shade called “Prowler Purple,” adding even more intrigue to this unique model. Later on, a few more colors were added. 

Another quirky aspect of the Prowler? One of the accessories that could be ordered with the car was a color-matched cargo trailer that towed just behind, making for a truly distinct look on the road. The base retail price for the Prowler was $40,000, and the trailer added an additional $5,000.

What made the Prowler purr 

Simplicity was the name of the game when it came to the engineering behind the Prowler’s running gear. The only available drivetrain was a 3.5-liter V6 mated to a four-speed automatic transmission, although a few things were tweaked along the way in the interest of power enhancement. The initial model years’ engines were rated at 214 horsepower, but from 1999 onward, the output was upped to 253 horsepower. It also had an “Autostick” manual gear-shifting capability, which was a unique feature for its time period. 

Influence and legacy

The Prowler’s bold approach proved that Chrysler Corporation could still have fun with retro-themed design. Aside from the halo Viper supercar and the Stealth sport coupe (which itself was a badge-engineered Mitsubishi), Chrysler hadn’t produced much to get excited about in the 1990s. And even though the company’s bottom line depended on minivans and family sedans, the Prowler brought some much needed buzz from the car community and the country at large.

If nothing else, the Prowler proved that automakers can choose to bring out-of-the-box concepts to life if they really want to. At the dawn of a new millennium, that kind of hope for the cars of the future was much appreciated. 

Shop Plymouth Prowlers today.

Prowler people going strong today

Nearly two decades after the last Prowler rolled off the assembly line, there remains a large community of enthusiasts and collectors for this unique model. In fact, it’s starting to verge on “cult classic” territory. Enthusiast groups have even orchestrated an upcoming event called Prowlin' the Ozarks, which will take place in Eureka Springs, Arkansas the last week of October, 2024. If you buy a Prowler in time, you can register and join in on the top-down convertible fun.

Prowl the listings on KSL Cars 

No matter when the Plymouth Prowler caught your eye, whether it was 25 years ago or 25 minutes ago, you still have a chance to buy your dream car. Check out the listings on KSL Cars and track down that elusive roadster you’ve been longing for. 

And if you’re not busy in 2048, you can definitely see one in Tulsa.