Class of 1997: The new Cruise classics

Posted by Talbot Payne on August 18, 2023

The Woodward Dream Cruise auto reunion is in full swing, and this year we honor the great Class of 1997.

In their 26th year, 1997 model cars are now eligible for Michigan antique plates (don’t ask us why the Mitten State considers 26 years old antique). The honor means you just have to pay $30 every 10 years for a vehicle’s registration, not to mention the insurance savings. The catch? Your classic can’t be used as a daily driver, but only for special events like Cruises, cars ‘n’ coffee events, and so on. Which is pretty much all of August in our car-crazed state.

With the 20th century winding down, 1997 was a memorable year beyond auto assembly lines. Artificial intelligence scored a big win when IBM Deep Blue downed chess GOAT Gary Kasparov, “The Lion King” roared on Broadway, J.K. Rowling published the first of her Harry Potter books, NASA’s Pathfinder landed on Mars, Tiger Woods became the youngest Masters winner at 21, Steve Jobs returned to Apple, and Princess Di met a tragic end in a car crash.

Here are the 1997 auto classics that left a mark.

Plymouth Prowler

Chrysler President Bob Lutz and design chief Tom Gale were determined to shake up the industry in the 1990s, and the aluminum Prowler followed the Dodge Viper as one of the decade’s most outrageous models. The retro-futuristic Prowler harkened back to 1950s hot rods but was equipped with the latest interior amenities. When the Plymouth brand died in 2001, the Prowler was rebadged as a Chrysler for 2001-02. “We wanted to change people’s perception of Chrysler as a boring company that built boring front-wheel-drive sedans,” said Lutz. Mission accomplished.

The Plymouth Prowler bowed as a 1997 model with styling inspired by the hot rods from decades earlier.The Plymouth Prowler bowed as a 1997 model with styling inspired by the hot rods from decades earlier.

GM EV1

Facing looming California mandates to sell EVs, General Motors went all-in on an all-new EV — rather than re-purposing an existing gas-powered chassis with batteries. The result was the distinctive, jelly-bean shaped EV1, of which a little over 1,000 were built. With 74 miles of range from its lead-acid batteries, the two-seater gave a glimpse at electric innovations that are commonplace on today’s EVs, including low-rolling resistance tires and regenerative braking. Don’t expect to see any EV1s on Woodward, however — GM only leased the EV1 to customers in California, Arizona and Georgia, then crushed all but 40. Hemmings estimates there are six in private hands today.

After GM rolled out the 1997 GM EV1, it would be years before the automaker produced another fully electric model.After GM rolled out the 1997 GM EV1, it would be years before the automaker produced another fully electric model.

The Jeep Wrangler TJ

The all-new ’97 dirt-kicker was immediately recognizable by its round headlights — ditching the previous gen’s rectangular peepers. But the big change was under the skin, where the TJ ditched leaf springs for smoother-riding coil-overs and upgraded interior (complete with twin air bags). The changes were hardly cosmetic, however. The new suspension meant seven more inches of wheel articulation, while the stiffer chassis added confidence in the wild.

The 1997 Jeep Wrangler TJ returned to the SUV's traditional round headlights.The 1997 Jeep Wrangler TJ returned to the SUV's traditional round headlights.

Porsche Boxster/Cayman

An instant classic, the mid-engine Boxster became the brand’s entry-level sports car after two decades of front-engine starter models, including the 924, 944 and 968. Though the pricier 911 remained as Porsche’s premier sports car, the whip-quick Boxster harkened back to the mid-engine 550 Spyder made famous in the United States by James Dean. Powered by a howling 2.5-liter flat-6 engine, Boxster sold out quickly in its inaugural year and was ultimately joined by a Cayman coupe sibling in 2005. Expect another Porsche shift when the all-electric Boxster arrives for 2025.

The Porsche Boxster sold out in its debut year.The Porsche Boxster sold out in its debut year.

Chevrolet Corvette C5

Longer, leaner and wider than its predecessor, the fifth-generation ‘Vette received raves from enthusiasts for its roomier interior, simpler gauges and better handling. For the first time, the gearbox was moved to the rear of the car. The upgrades — and addition of a convertible to the lineup in ’98 — returned Corvette to Car and Driver’s Top Ten list for the first time in 10 years. In a show of the industry’s relentless progress, the 5.7-liter V-8’s 345 horsepower matched the output of the 1967 7.0-liter ‘Vette. On the other hand, that’s 75 horsepower less than a 2023 Chevy Suburban.

The fifth-generation Corvette that bowed in 1997 was a return to form for Chevy's iconic sports car.The fifth-generation Corvette that bowed in 1997 was a return to form for Chevy's iconic sports car.

Ford Expedition

Though hardly a jaw-dropping Cruiser, Expedition created a stir in ‘97 as an alternative to the popular Chevy Suburban. The mega-ute wars were born (the Toyota Sequoia, Nissan Armada and Jeep Wagoneer would follow). Based on the Ford F-150 pickup frame, the three-row Expedition was a foot and a half shorter than the Suburban to better fit in your garage. Ford’s big boy was available with two V-8 engines with a max towing capability of 8,000 pounds, so you could tow, say, your Jaguar XK8 to the Cruise.

Ford rolled out the Expedition to take on the Chevy Suburban, and the model remains in the Dearborn automaker's lineup more than a quarter-century later.Ford rolled out the Expedition to take on the Chevy Suburban, and the model remains in the Dearborn automaker's lineup more than a quarter-century later.

Jaguar XK8

The first all-new Jaguar in over a decade, the sleek XK boasted distinctive looks and a voluptuous wood and leather interior. Available as a coupe or convertible, the Jag rocked the brand’s first V-8 engine, a tradition that continues in the current F-Type sports car. Though not as sporty as the Corvette, the $70k XK won raves for its improved handling over the departed XJ (and if you wanted more grunt, the XKR became available in 1999).

Mercedes SLK

The two-seater Merc was meant to re-create the brand’s legendary 1950s 190SL. Though enthusiasts dinged it for a lack of manual transmission option, it packed plenty of punch from its supercharged 4-cylinder engine and quick handling. Its convertible hardtop was beautifully designed to convert the car into a coupe — with trunk space left over. The SLK ended its run in 2020.

Henry Payne is auto critic for The Detroit News. Find him at hpayne@detroitnews.com or Twitter @HenryEPayne.

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