by "Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
Published 04/12/2017 at 13:56
by "Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
Published 04/12/2017 at 13:56
Tags: Factory hot rod?
STARS: 6
I don’t think I’d ever seen one in the metal until today. I never saw the appeal before, but now I think I get it.
"Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap" (ddadragon)
04/12/2017 at 13:58, STARS: 1
Having seen many in person, I still don’t get it. But I do like the SSR.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
04/12/2017 at 13:59, STARS: 0
I mean, it’s different, and cool, but probably not if you’re into real hot rods.
"RutRut" (RDR)
04/12/2017 at 14:01, STARS: 1
So much potential that went so wrong.
"Nibbles" (nibbles)
04/12/2017 at 14:02, STARS: 6
All it needed was an engine that backed up those looks
"RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht" (ramblininexile)
04/12/2017 at 14:03, STARS: 1
And headlights and grill that were not those.
"CobraJoe" (cobrajoe)
04/12/2017 at 14:04, STARS: 4
I can’t stand the SSR. It’s got the retro melted butter style of the HHR, and while it makes good power it’s stupid heavy. As in a full TON heavier than that Prowler up there. (Seriously, 4700 pounds curb weight for SSR vs 2850 pounds for the Prowler).
"Rico" (ricorich)
04/12/2017 at 14:06, STARS: 1
When I was in 8th grade me and my friends watched someone in one of these jump the curb and hit a bus stop, that car really came apart.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
04/12/2017 at 14:08, STARS: 0
That’s what I’ve read.
"Stapleface" (patrickgruden)
04/12/2017 at 14:08, STARS: 3
I always loved the looks of the Prowler. It’s just a shame Chrysler didn’t give it anything to back it up in the engine department.
You know what this world needs? HellProwler.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
04/12/2017 at 14:09, STARS: 0
I’ve heard that. Guess it was just for looking cool.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
04/12/2017 at 14:09, STARS: 0
Ouch!
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
04/12/2017 at 14:10, STARS: 2
Now that would be something to post about.
"OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars" (jakeauern)
04/12/2017 at 14:16, STARS: 2
They were so close to having such a good car and then the government and the beancounters got int the way. Plastic and a crappy V6... C’mon...
"TheHondaBro" (wwaveform)
04/12/2017 at 14:16, STARS: 1
At least it isn’t your first growler.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
04/12/2017 at 14:21, STARS: 1
That’s a shame, but it’s classic Detroit during that period.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
04/12/2017 at 14:23, STARS: 0
Still looking for my first growler. ;)
"CobraJoe" (cobrajoe)
04/12/2017 at 14:26, STARS: 2
Chrysler in the 90s didn’t have much to choose from. The 318 was a heavier engine with no more horsepower, and the 3.5L was an all aluminum V6 with overhead cams and 255hp was a pretty decent engine option.
If it was produced today in the exact same configuration (high performance NA V6, quick responding automatic, light weight, quirky styling), it would likely be a hit among jalops. (If they didn’t immediately ignore it for lack of a manual trans).
My theory is that the main reason it got so much bad press was it was marketed as a “Factory hot rod” in a time where the dominant hot rod style was Boyd Coddington. Massive engines under overstyled and oversmoothed bodies with body matched paint on the engine.
If the dominant hot rod style at the time was light and simple with smaller engines, the Prowler wouldn’t have looked so bad in comparison.
"OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars" (jakeauern)
04/12/2017 at 14:27, STARS: 1
Nothing screams late 90's/ early 2000s American cars like something done 80% of what it should have been.
"The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock" (jukesjukesjukes)
04/12/2017 at 14:31, STARS: 0
A V8 would not fit in, & same for the transmission. A manual would not fit in the tunnel, it is a crapmed car.
"Nibbles" (nibbles)
04/12/2017 at 14:32, STARS: 0
I know they didn’t exactly have a wealth of engines to choose from. Still, all it needed was a better engine.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
04/12/2017 at 14:32, STARS: 1
Yeah, but at least it was at 100% of the cost.
"Stapleface" (patrickgruden)
04/12/2017 at 14:34, STARS: 0
I can dream, can’t I?
Hell, I’d be happy with the turbo 4 in the Neon SRT-4
"Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again." (sir-stig)
04/12/2017 at 14:34, STARS: 2
With a manual and minus the shitty bumpers they would have been so much better.
"Brickman" (legomaniacman)
04/12/2017 at 14:38, STARS: 0
It’s been done. V8 Hemi and transmission is in the rear by the diff, like the corvette.
http://www.allpar.com/fix/engines/SRT-Prowler-project.html
!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
04/12/2017 at 14:52, STARS: 0
I would argue instead to have a manual option .
Honestly, the bumpers didn’t bother me.
"CobraJoe" (cobrajoe)
04/12/2017 at 14:55, STARS: 0
255 hp was nothing to turn your nose up at (especially in something so light). Remember, in 2001, the Mustang Bullitt was making 265hp and weighed 400 to 600 pounds more. (Granted, the Camaro made 300+ by then). It even sounds decent, just not necessarily the sound you’d expect from a ‘33 Ford hot rod.
The engine was not the weak point of the car. Even the transmission was supposedly tweaked to allow for harder and faster shifts at any RPM without interfering if you wanted to shift it yourself. I remember some complaints about a stiff ride and not much for luggage room, but if you stop comparing it to pony cars and compare it to the Miata and BRZ (that the specs closer match to), it’s a pretty good contender even today.
"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
04/12/2017 at 14:57, STARS: 1
Man, when these things were pretty new I used to see them all the time. I honestly can’t remember the last time I saw one though.
"Nibbles" (nibbles)
04/12/2017 at 15:07, STARS: 0
Output notwithstanding - I didn’t say it needed a stronger engine - the car deserved more than a pedestrian V6.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
04/12/2017 at 15:37, STARS: 1
Right. It’s been forever since I’ve even heard of them.
"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
04/12/2017 at 15:53, STARS: 2
I guess they’re all just hidden away in garages now, waiting for them to become “valuable.”
"CobraJoe" (cobrajoe)
04/12/2017 at 15:55, STARS: 0
I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t call a 255hp all aluminum 24valve SOHC V6 with a forged crank “pedestrian”. It’s a pretty technologically advanced engine for the times.
It certainly isn’t a traditional hot rod engine though, that would require 8 cylinders, an iron block, and a cam in the block.
"Nibbles" (nibbles)
04/12/2017 at 16:03, STARS: 0
Ugh
Yes I would. It was an everyday engine used in their everyday cars
The engine did not suit the Prowler itself, its design, its intent or its intended audience
Keep on. I’m getting bored
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
04/12/2017 at 16:10, STARS: 1
I think that’ll be a long wait.
"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
04/12/2017 at 16:27, STARS: 1
Very long indeed.
"Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again." (sir-stig)
04/12/2017 at 16:37, STARS: 1
Honestly, the bumpers didn’t bother me.
"CobraJoe" (cobrajoe)
04/12/2017 at 16:44, STARS: 0
So what if the engine is used in other vehicles, that’s nothing unusual. Nearly every high performance engine has a version that was used in boring and “everyday” application.
The 4.6 in the Mustang, the LT1 and LS1 in the Camaro, and the VQ V6 in the Nissan 350Z were all used in trucks and vans and mild passenger cars.
The engine did not suit the Prowler itself, its design, its intent or its intended audience
What was its intent? If you look at the specs, it seems like it was meant to be a lightweight sports car. Balanced and light weight, stiff suspension, lighweight and not-overpowered engine, style valued over practicality or room. The styling wasn’t that far off for a unique sports car, the Panoz roadster had similar looks. The biggest problem was the marketing. All the talk was how it was a ‘33 Ford hot rod in production car form.
That’s where the Prowler disappointed people. It wasn’t a V8, so it didn’t have the sound or the perceived power. It wasn’t a soft and rolling billboard to how cool and powerful the driver was. The baby boomers who bought it for those reasons were disappointed to find out it wasn’t a hot rod.
If it came out styled like a the Copperhead concept, it would have sold like crazy. If the hot rod scene in the late 90s wasn’t dedicated to flashy looks and massive engines, it would have sold better. If they simply insisted it was a comparable match for a Boxter, it would have sold better even if it lost every comparison article.
"Nibbles" (nibbles)
04/12/2017 at 16:50, STARS: 0
You “win”.
"CobraJoe" (cobrajoe)
04/12/2017 at 17:00, STARS: 0
Hey, I’m not trying to win, I’m just trying to get people to back up and look at the Prowler from a different angle.
It was an interesting car built for enthusiasts by enthusiasts who were limited by accountants and management. I’m glad it was built, it was one of the rare occasions where a large company took a huge chance in creating something truly unique. I’d like to see that happen more often.
" The Compromiser" (charger)
04/12/2017 at 18:11, STARS: 1
I remember in the 90s I saw a large number of them crossing the border. Somewhere in the range of 70-100. A lot had matching trailers. It was neat. Not as good as when I passed a few hundred corvettes on the interstate outside of the Bowling Green plant.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
04/12/2017 at 22:27, STARS: 1
Would that be a herd of Prowlers? A flock? A murder? Anyway, that must have been cool. Surely a unique site.
" The Compromiser" (charger)
04/13/2017 at 13:32, STARS: 1
All along the interstate and up over the Ambassador Bridge. THey were recollecting at an Ontario Visitor center on the other side. quite unique. I would go with a Pride of Prowlers. Cat based organisms tend to be prowlers, so it fits that they would be organized as cats would be.