They built it? Really? The Hot Wheels-made-real Plymouth Prowler has you asking the same question in 2024 as it did when the first of these retro roadsters prowled American streets in 1997.
Paying homage to ’32 Ford hot rods, this was Chrysler Corp designer Tom Gale’s even more extrovert follow-up to the bonkers Dodge Viper. The Prowler wowed in concept form at the 1993 Detroit Auto Show, was somehow given the production green light, then they hand-built almost 12,000 of these overwhelming aluminium open-wheelers up until 2002. Introverts need not apply, especially when yours is glimmering in orange pearl framed against a deep blue Queensland sky. Sunshine Coaster Sid James spotted his 2001 Prowler for sale in Los Angeles three years ago. Handily, his son Corey is California-based so was tasked with inspecting and testing it before money changed hands. Sid had been burnt before. He’d transferred money over for a sight-unseen Prowler, was scammed, and lost the lot.
It was a happier story this time. “Part of the import rules is you must have new catalytic converters fitted,” Sid explained. “I got the high-flow cats, but regulations mean you can’t have them delivered to California. I had to go through three different muffler shops before I found someone who’d weld them in.”
He also had carbon brake pads fitted in the States to avoid any potential asbestos dramas, then transported the Prowler to San Francisco to set sail for Brisbane. Left-hand drive restrictions meant this 20-year-old Plymouth went straight to conversion specialist Performax, Sid’s being the 14th Prowler the company would convert.
“I’d ridden in a Prowler in the States in 2002,” Sid explained. “We were going down the freeway and people are beeping their horns and pointing and waving. I thought ‘what a unique car.’ I wanted one from the point on.”
Denne historien er fra Issue 497-utgaven av Unique Cars.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra Issue 497-utgaven av Unique Cars.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
CHEVROLET C2 CORVETTE 1963-67
TWO YEARS after Jaguar made every other sports car obsolete with its E-Type, Chevrolet went a step further with its radical Corvette Sting Ray.
LOST & FOUND
THE WHEREABOUTS OF THIS RARE 1969 AMC AMX WAS FOR DECADES A COMPLETE MYSTERY, UNTIL IT WAS PULLED IT OUT OF A SHED IN ADELAIDE
IN THE RED!
AS OUR ROADS EMULATE THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON, GOVERNMENTS ARE DOING THEIR BIT TO SHIRK ALL RESPONSIBILITY
Ray Ikin - 2001 MUSTANG & 2003 CV8
RAY IS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAVE A BIG DECISION WHEN HE STROLLS INTO HIS SHED DO I TAKE THE MUSTANG OR THE MONARO?
1986 PORSCHE 928 S
THE 928 SHAPE MIGHT HAVE BEEN AN ACQUIRED TASTE FOR PORSCHE AFICIONADOS, BUT IT’S DESIRABILITY HAS IMPROVED WITH AGE
MODERN CLASSICS ZX-12R
KAWASAKI'S KING NINJA AIMED TO BE A HAYABUSA-BEATER
FLY DMC
THE CULT OF DELOREAN - THE MAN. THE MACHINE. THE MOVIE(S)
1972 FORD FALCON HARDTOP GT REPLICA
THIS FACTORY V8 FALCON HARDTOP KNOWS A THING OR TWO ABOUT BRIGHT AND DESIRABLE COLOUR COMBINATIONS
VALE MECUM AUCTION'S JOHN KRAMAN
A CORNERSTONE of Mecum Auctions and one of its most recognisable members, John Kraman, has died.
STOP IT!
PERHAPS THE CELEBRATION OF DIVERSITY IN GENERAL SHOULD INCLUDE CELEBRATING THE DIVERSITY OF HANDBRAKE TYPES
