posted 04-20-2024 10:30 AM                  

The GMMG association/Club/Group is regularly out promoting the vehicles, mostly because no one knows what they are. They are slowly catching on as people realized what the GMMG guys did to them through Chevrolet and Pontiac Dealers (only 100 Trans Am's built). And the values are climbing as a result. 5 years ago they were low, they are really catching on. I did the MCACN show in Chicago 2 years ago and now will go to the Somerset KY Cruise June 21st and 22nd and the GMMG folks will be there "getting the word out" about what a GMMG car is/was all about.

I have now driven 2 Prowlers home recently on the highway, and, like every other time, people go by with camera in hand, thumbs up, has one woman hanging so far out of her window to give me huge thumbs up and snap pics, I thought she was going to fall out.

We know these cars generate a lot of passion. And then you show up to a show, and so many people, even today, wine about the cars. "It should have had a V8". "It was only a parts bin car" and other things. After 70 people went to Gatlinburg last year and we had only two problems I knew of mechanically that were not caused by a bad road (Ball Joints) these cars are more than amazing IMHO.

Which brings me to this. Somewhere on this site, I cannot find it, one of our members was making a Car Display that stated that these cars should NOT have come standard with a V8 and listed the reasons why. Does anyone know where that post is ? There are reasons that the V8 would have been fun of course, or a 6 speed. But imagine someone saying that the Acura NSX, Nissan GTR, etc. should have had a V8 and are slouch cars (they are not) because they have a 6 in them. Driving a 100% stock Prowler, the darn things were spirited, handled great and could run on 87 fuel.

But if anyone can direct me to that post that would be great. Got some ideas.

Thanks!

John

posted 04-20-2024 02:11 PM                  

quote:

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Originally posted by Dick Henry:
Well I’m here promoting our cars at the Outlaws National Car Show in Jefferson TX. It’s cold, 54 degrees, 100% rain, but all us hardcore car show guys are here. Promoters said it was too late to reschedule. Usually there are around 200 cars but today only about 40. We’re all in the corner bar talking cars staying warm & dry. Found out I need to tighten up those window seals on the convertible top.

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posted 04-20-2024 06:26 PM                  

Then there is the parts bin thing. The Prowler was supposedly designed after a early Ford hot rod. Hot rods were built from parts from other cars a.k.a, parts bin cars.
I would have to confirm the 4.7 numbers.

I just checked here. [URL=http://jeepspecs.com/jeep/47-powertech-v8-engine-guide/#:~:text=4.7L%20PowerTech%20V8%20Specs%20Index%201%20Horsepower%3A%20235,3.41%E2%80%9D%20%2886.5%20mm%29%206%20Stroke%3A %203.]http://jeepspecs.com/jeep/47-powertech-v8-engine-guide/#:~:text=4.7L%20PowerTech%20V8%20Specs%20Index%201%20Horsepower%3A%20235,3.41%E2%80%9D%20%2886.5%20mm%29%206%20Stroke%3 A%203.[/URL] 66%E2%80%9D%20%2893.00%20mm%29

Horsepower: 235 hp @ 4,800 rpm
Torque: 295 lb.-ft @ 3,200 rpm
Compression Ratio: 9.8:1
Displacement: 287CI (4.7L)
Cylinder Bore: 3.41” (86.5 mm)
Stroke: 3.66” (93.00 mm)

They did come out with a HO engine later that put out something like 295 HP and these had cast iron blocks so more weight.

posted 04-20-2024 07:41 PM                  

John

quote:

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Originally posted by 2000SunCity:
I love the other versions of the nerf bars better than mine with holes. Dick's are much more tradition-true IMO. I am a new owner, 4 months, and most of the stuff was done by the original owner, most here in the Phoenix area.

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posted 04-21-2024 10:10 AM                  

John

posted 04-21-2024 09:28 PM                  

One of my life's greatest regrets, is logging onto this site, finding out Richard Jackson had passed and I never told him just how much I enjoyed hanging with him, speaking with him and just talking cars and prowlers. I logged on, saw he passed. Was heart broken. I had a bunch of people say hi, Told Steve I didn't have a Prowler to bring to West Virginia, he said it didn't matter, and then that day, I bought another Prowler. Got back involved, you are so right, wonderful people here and friendships. And then, after a ton of texts and messages, I never got to see Marty again. Major life regret. Major. God bless all of them.

Now, you really think people should come talk to me at shows, Cruise in's etc. ? I talk too much, about nothing. Just ask Shelley. A "board" would help people understand this car. I am more and more impressed with it, and with what was the history of this thing. One of my favorite stories was at the `10 year reunion in Detroit that CJ put on. An Engineer who was a big deal. (Love ? ) said, unequivocally, that the Ford GT would NOT have been produced had Plymouth not pioneered the bonding and gluing technology. This car, and there is more and more recently, is and was a game changer from so many perspectives. They will go up in value. Just my prediction.

https://www.hagerty.com/media/market-trends/bull-market-2024/

And you CAN NOT tell me a woman with a tube top on, hanging out of her car giving you a thumbs up as you drive back a Prowler isn't a great thing.....

John

posted 04-22-2024 09:15 AM                  

We all drive what we own for different reasons. Some hate the attention, some love it. A member on this site had someone who owned a 1972 Maverick with a 302 in it come up and say ; "they should have put a V8 in that thing" to which he replied ;" it will outrun your V8." And he was right. Truthfully? I think it's an issue with me because I own an SSR, which had the same issues. Underpowered engine in the 2003, 2004's. 2005 they Dropped the LS2 in it. And I go to those meets and hear how mis-informed some are about our Prowlers. Slow, ride hard, cheap interiors , and on and on. Doesn't keep me up at night, but if they (ask Bob L.) knew the engineering Marvel this car was to produce, to make, to get on the street , that would change. I also think seeing that naked Frame that I went and looked at for John really had an impact. It truly was a thing of beauty. The thought that went into the car, I didn't even appreciate. And I bet half of us don't. I'm a Mechanical Engineer by degree so that stuff matters. There are more and more articles coming out about the absolute amazement of the design and execution of that, how it influenced the look and performance. I'll see if I can find that article. Was fascinating.

I'm of the opinion that they WILL go up in value in my lifetime - And I'm all in on trying my best to 1) live long enough to see it and 2) spread the truth about these cars and their incredibly unique story from a design and manufacturing standpoint. Can't hurt. Hagerty just named it the number one car this year to invest in. So being poorer than some and having more money than I should in these cars, I like that. Someday, they will have to be sold. Sad to think about...

Ramblin about nothin', as usual,

John