posted 05-18-2003 08:28 PM                  

Dear Fellow Prowler Owners,

I am writing this to tell you a story of how the technology of the Prowler saved my life. In case you don't know me, my name is Tom Rebman and I owned (yes...past tense...she is totaled) a Silver 2001 with Rainbow ghost flames. I have run into a few of you at events that Jay has emailed me about.

The purpose of this post is to tell you what I witnessed during my accident. Let me set it up for you; I was traveling eastbound on 44 towards New Smyrna Beach at between 45 and 47 MPH (yes...this was my honest speed as I had the cruise set). The Mazda MVP Minivan was traveling westbound and was in the left lane, stopped waiting to make a left hand turn into Kmart. I guess he didn't see me, as I was staring at him as he started his left turn in front of me. It was so sureal...it seemed to take 3 minutes for the next 1 or so seconds to happen.

There was nowhere I could go, and nothing I could do (I guess thats why they call them accidents...duhhh). I immeadiately hit my brakes and the police estimate I was traveling between 42 and 45 when I made impact. Literally my skid marks were less than 4 feet long. The nose of my precious Prowler struck the Mini-Van at passenger door front seam. The impact was incredible. I had my eyes open through the whole thing and I watched the front of my car absorb all of the impact. Parts of Aluminum and glass and plastic were flying everywhere and I watched the front of the car get closer and closer to me. At this point the air bag deployed and the car came to a stop. I T-BONED A SOLID OBJECT AT 45 MPH AND WAS ALIVE! Beleive it or not, I was out of the car in less than 2 seconds under my own power. Without making this any more dramatic, myself and my passenger had one small fracture between us. This was in my right foot and I am sure it was caused by me trying to put the brake pedal through the floorboard as this genius pulled in front of me and not as a result of the impact.

The top was down and we were wearing seatbelts. Literally.....the seatbelts and airbags saved our lives. Aside from brusing and small cuts and burns from the airbag, it looks like we should be physically ok in a few weeks.

Here's my point......aside from the obvious religious reasons we are still here (I assume the Lord isn't done with us yet) the technical reason we are alive is CHRYSLER SAFETY! Beleive me when I say I watched the car disenigrate to protect me. It was amazing! The cabin was perfectly intact and all of the impact was absorbed in front of us. Literally...there were Prowler pieces for hundreds of yards!

I have attached photos of the accident so that you can see how well she did. Be safe out there and know that you have an awesome technological machine between you and the village idiot who may not see you!

God Bless and take care........

Tom Rebman

posted 05-18-2003 08:37 PM                  

Hopefully you will get another prowler soon but meanwhile take care and get well.

posted 05-18-2003 08:51 PM                  

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99 Red & matching trailer

posted 05-18-2003 11:00 PM                  

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Call 911 - there is a Prowler in my garage....

posted 05-18-2003 11:12 PM                  

Thank God - Glad to hear everyone is OK.

I notice no Front bumpers - were there any on the car or were they part of what Tom saw flying and disintegrating ? This would be interesting to find out.

John

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posted 05-18-2003 11:14 PM                  

we wish you well

curtis and kathy

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posted 05-19-2003 07:29 AM                  

What an awful sight to see. I also wonder if the car had bumpers. I don't see any evidence of them, as I would think they would have struck the fenders leaving marks. I wonder if the bumpers would have absorbed a bit more of the impact energy?

I am also curious if airbags really prevent more injuries than they inflict...although I never want to find out for myself.

posted 05-19-2003 07:51 AM                  

My mom knows the designer of the prowler frame from ALCOA. He attends some car functions in Toledo. Anyway, during the initial prowler design, the car crash test showed the frame was so strong that it pierced a brick wall like an arrow. They had to put in more "crumple zones". For this reason, the impact is absorbed in the front and not the cabin.

Woooow again, glad your OK!!!

posted 05-19-2003 10:35 AM                  

I always drive with my headlights on...Maybe the height of the vehicle makes it harder to see...Don't really know...but with the lights on, I do feel a little safer...

posted 05-19-2003 02:36 PM                    

While nicely engineered, a couple of things come into play as to why you walked away from this one.

First, the momentum of both vehicles were not headed towards each other. If going the same speed (ie. 45) that would have been an impact of 90+mph. Look what it did at 45 mph, imagine doubling that. Could be even worse if offset and not direct.

Second, t-boning a mini-van, that has a large flat side surface which would dissipate the shock somewhat (a good thing). Remember shoulder pads in football? Yet, look at all the damage.

While most newer cars are designed to drop engines and have crumple zones, air bags, etc. nothing can really help you completely in a head on (at speed) except for the grace of God, IMO.

You were extremely lucky this idiot wasn't coming towards you.

CT is right about the bumperettes. It's a plastic coated aluminum plate held on with only 2 bolts. Probably would torque or rip one off at 5mph crash test.

posted 05-20-2003 12:09 AM                  

Glad you are ok that's the most important thing..

I know first hand what it feels like to be in your situation, my Prowler saved my life last August as well..

Good luck with your quest to find yourself a new one.

posted 05-21-2003 09:29 AM                  

PS How did the fool in the minivan come out??? If I was you and he survived the accident he would have wished he didnt... Both my girlfriend and her mom were rear-ended this weekend while sitting at red lights!! Yes two seprate accidents!! People just dont PAY ATTENTION.

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****Formerly C5 Frank****
Frank
01' Plymouth Prowler Silver
94' Mustang Cobra
00' Trans Am WS6 Ram Air
02' Excursion 4x2 Diesel