You "gotta have a V-8" people might have forgotten about the later Howler concept? A rwd old-style pickup with a 5.9L and 5-speed manual trans. I feel that THIS is what GM was aiming for with their SSR, as GM seemed to be scrambling to keep up with what Chrysler was doing back then. So GM invested in the SSR and that convertible top mechanism went on to live in other vehicles later on.
I suspect the Prowler rode smoother than the typical '32 Ford street rod of that time. Had a warranty with factory-backed parts rather than a mis-match of aftermarket parts. It was never designed to be a mass-market car, no matter what. And, as I recall, that metal casting behind the instrument panel was the largest-known magnesium casting ever done in a vehicle, at that time. LOTS of production firsts which were used in mass market vehicles years later. It was a pretty neat test bed vehicle, all things considered.
A former Chrysler Regional Tech Ctr operative was in our Mopar club when the LH cars and the first 3.5L V-6 came out. He noted that it was easy to get that engine to 300 horsepower, from its earlier 217hp(?) rating. So, some tweaks of the Gen2 3.5L might have worked well for the Prowler rather than putting more spark plugs into the mix.
The Prowler was good for what it was, to me.
The '84 Corvettes had a front frame section of HSLA material. Not supposed to use any heat to reform it after a "bending session". Allegedly would crystalize the metal, but some insurance adjusters themselves mandated "heat be used" although GM said "NO!"
Thanks for all of that information, Carmine!
CBODY67
I suspect the Prowler rode smoother than the typical '32 Ford street rod of that time. Had a warranty with factory-backed parts rather than a mis-match of aftermarket parts. It was never designed to be a mass-market car, no matter what. And, as I recall, that metal casting behind the instrument panel was the largest-known magnesium casting ever done in a vehicle, at that time. LOTS of production firsts which were used in mass market vehicles years later. It was a pretty neat test bed vehicle, all things considered.
A former Chrysler Regional Tech Ctr operative was in our Mopar club when the LH cars and the first 3.5L V-6 came out. He noted that it was easy to get that engine to 300 horsepower, from its earlier 217hp(?) rating. So, some tweaks of the Gen2 3.5L might have worked well for the Prowler rather than putting more spark plugs into the mix.
The Prowler was good for what it was, to me.
The '84 Corvettes had a front frame section of HSLA material. Not supposed to use any heat to reform it after a "bending session". Allegedly would crystalize the metal, but some insurance adjusters themselves mandated "heat be used" although GM said "NO!"
Thanks for all of that information, Carmine!
CBODY67
