<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n
Here are the 1997 auto classics that left a mark.<\/p>\n
Plymouth Prowler<\/h2>\n 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\u2019s 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. \u201cWe wanted to change people\u2019s perception of Chrysler as a boring company that built boring front-wheel-drive sedans,\u201d said Lutz. Mission accomplished.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n
GM EV1<\/h2>\n Facing looming California mandates to sell EVs, General Motors went all-in on an all-new EV \u2014 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\u2019s EVs, including low-rolling resistance tires and regenerative braking. Don\u2019t expect to see any EV1s on Woodward, however \u2014 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n
The Jeep Wrangler TJ<\/h2>\n The all-new \u201997 dirt-kicker was immediately recognizable by its round headlights \u2014 ditching the previous gen\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n
Porsche Boxster\/Cayman<\/h2>\n An instant classic, the mid-engine Boxster became the brand\u2019s 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n
Chevrolet Corvette C5<\/h2>\n Longer, leaner and wider than its predecessor, the fifth-generation \u2018Vette 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 \u2014 and addition of a convertible to the lineup in \u201998 \u2014 returned Corvette to Car and Driver\u2019s Top Ten list for the first time in 10 years. In a show of the industry\u2019s relentless progress, the 5.7-liter V-8\u2019s 345 horsepower matched the output of the 1967 7.0-liter \u2018Vette. On the other hand, that\u2019s 75 horsepower less than a 2023 Chevy Suburban.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n
Ford Expedition<\/h2>\n Though hardly a jaw-dropping Cruiser, Expedition created a stir in \u201897 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n
Jaguar XK8<\/h2>\n 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\u2019s 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).<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n
Mercedes SLK<\/h2>\n The two-seater Merc was meant to re-create the brand\u2019s 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 \u2014 with trunk space left over. The SLK ended its run in 2020.<\/p>\n
Henry Payne is auto critic for The Detroit News. Find him at hpayne@detroitnews.com or Twitter @HenryEPayne.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Woodward Dream Cruise auto reunion is in full swing, and this year we honor the great Class of 1997. In their 26th\u00a0year, 1997 model cars are now eligible for Michigan antique plates (don\u2019t ask us why the Mitten State considers 26 years old antique). The honor means you just have to pay $30 every […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31340"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31340"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31340\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":31341,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31340\/revisions\/31341"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31340"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=31340"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=31340"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}