posted 10-11-2001 03:46 PM                  

In the week following the WTC and Pentagon attacks, in which so many Americans remembered or realized that to be American is something of which to be proud, the renewed spirit of defiant American-ness was perfectly embodied in the Chrysler Prowler I happened to be driving. It didn't need an American flag flying from a clip-on window staff. In some very important ways related to the character of the people to whose national myths it pays stylistic homage, the Prowler is the American flag, disguised as a factory-built crypto-rod.

That didn't go unnoticed, as I discovered with the press Prowler I signed for the same day the murderous fanatics attacked us. On every drive, it triggered admiring smiles and waves, and whenever I'd park it in public, a crowd would quickly gather around it. This surprised me somewhat, since the car has been in the showrooms for years, and almost all the guys who'd appear next to the Prowler when parked already knew a lot about it. But it took only a little discussion to discover that the Prowler held special importance as a symbol for them in the aftermath of another day that will live in infamy.

For me, too. And although there was still a lot in it - or left out of it - that annoyed me, the Prowler also seduced me as a car, eventually. The 45K price tag and low production numbers keep it rare, but even if it were as commonplace as a Honda Accord, the unique experience delivered in and with the car makes it impossible to compare it seriously to any other "production" car.

What seems to be its calling card, its styling, is not the totality of its personality, nor particularly reflective of its character when under power, though this becomes clearest after a lot of time behind the wheel. Despite its drive-in/drag-strip looks and AutoStick transmission, the Prowler actually encourages and rewards "engaged" driving, which reflects the nature of the impressive engineering and fabrication that lies beneath the aluminum bodywork. Yes, the ride is (still) hard, and the car still provides less useful storage space than most touring motorcycles. And though it has a reasonably comfy interior, when the top is up, it gets unpleasantly noisy (and, for some, claustrophobia-inducing) due to the oddly hollow, booming exhaust note from the 253-hp V6. Others may love that sound, but I don't. If ever a car demanded a big, bad V8, the Prowler is it, not least because of the V8's motor music.

Even, so, the Prowler's overall dynamic character endeared it to me. That it came wrapped in a package so uncompromisingly and unapologetically American made it the perfect vehicle for driving in a week that taught so many so much about the United States of America. Among the lessons: Chrysler may be only half of a German-American company now, but the all-American spirit of Mopar lives!

Steve Thompson who wrote this editorial can be reached at slthomps@crain.com

Lets give him three cheers and a

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CJ - The One and Only - 1999 Black
Mopar Exhaust System
Splash Guards
Matching Prowler Trailer
PProwler Vanity Plate

Classic/Beautiful - I'm referring to the Cat of course!

posted 10-11-2001 04:13 PM                  

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Larry & Sue Mayes

posted 10-11-2001 04:56 PM                  

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posted 10-11-2001 06:16 PM                  

Now, all he has to do is figure out what an ALLEY CAT is?

posted 10-11-2001 06:23 PM                  

Marty