1999 Plymouth Howler

The eye-catching Plymouth Prowler taken to another level 

Introduced as a concept car at the 1993 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the Plymouth Prowler retro-hot rod generated such popular response that a production version was launched for the 1997 model year. Two years later, this “performance roadster pickup” variation was developed as a concept car for the Specialty Equipment Market Association show in Las Vegas. The design team replaced the standard Prowler V-6 with a PowerTech V-8 and exchanged the rear transaxle for an engine-mounted five-speed transmission.

Repositioning the rear transaxle provided an opportunity to enlarge and reposition the fuel tank, which in turn allowed the designers to open up the rear of the vehicle and create the pickup-like storage space capable of carrying large suitcases, golf clubs and other bulky items.

The completed vehicle can haul in more than one sense: its performance statistics include a sprint to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds and a top speed of 129 mph.

Wheelbase: 113.3 in. (288 cm)

Engine: 4.7 L (287 cu. in.) Jeep® PowerTech V-8

Bore/Stroke: 9.3 cm X 8.7 cm (3.66 in. X 3.41 in.)

Horsepower: 250 bhp @ 4800 rpm (191.5 kw)

Compression ratio: 9.0:1

Transmission: 5-speed manual

source: Chrysler

In 1999 at the Specialty Equipment Market Association's annual car show in Las Vegas, Nevada, Chrysler unveiled the Plymouth Howler concept. Inspired by hot rod trucks, and based on the Prowler, the Howler featured a small, truck like bed with a tailgate and hard tonneau cover. Under the hood an adapted version of Jeep's all new 4.7 L PowerTech V8 engine replaced the production model's 3.5 L V6. A Borg-Warner 5-speed manual replaced the production 4-speed automatic.

source: Wikipedia