THE SAFETY

As remarkable as Prowler is to look at and to drive, perhaps its most impressive attribute, and the one most responsible for bringing it to life, is its ability to meet all of today's safety standards. Imagine, a hot rod with a safety story.

Yes, it has dual air bags* -- on the driver's side it's integral with the steering wheel; on the passenger side it's located in the instrument panel (always wear your seat belts, rearward-facing child seats cannot be used in this vehicle). Yes, it provides dynamic side-impact protection in the event of an accident. Yes, the front and rear bumpers, besides being striking, meet all federal standards for protection. Yes, there's a remote keyless entry system with theft alarm ... standard. And yes, visibility is enhanced in rainy conditions by the wet arm intermittent windshield wipers.

Truly, however, this car is about hot rod performance and style. Still, without the safety considerations behind it, there would be no Prowler. So, here's one vote for safe, conservative thinking.

On the Prowler, its unequal-length A-arm front suspension promotes design cleanliness with a coil-over-spring/Koni shock assembly uniquely mounted inboard and actuated by a pushrod-rocker mechanism. If it looks like Indy car stuff, that's because it was designed by Indy Car builders.

Prowler's handling is fabulous. And you'll love the look of the suspension components - the SSF (semi-solid forming process) process turns out a nice looking part straight out of the die, which is then enhanced by a stainless steel shot-cleaning, and clear-coating.

A midnight raid on the corporate parts bin - and clever engineering - provided Prowler's power, rack-and-pinion steering, which mounts beneath the cross member for ease of access. It was lifted from our minivans and modified with smaller pistons and special valving. Its ratio is now 1-8:1, 3.13, turns lock-to-lock, for a 39-foot turning diameter which puts it well inside the '84-'96 Vette.

Steering was engineered to provide a precise, European on-center feel, with a crisp linear turn-in. It does all that, plus imbues it driver with a confidence not to be found behind the wheel of many shade tree hot rods.

And that Prowler "sits" right is due in no small measure to its huge Goodyear extended-mobility rubber 17-inch front and 20-inch rear, with built-in "run-flat" capability.

*Always use seat belts. Rearward-facing child seats cannot be used in this vehicle.