This is the one-of-a-kind factory-built 1960 Plymouth XNR by Ghia (chassis 9999997). This functional car was developed by both Chrysler and Plymouth, constructed by Ghia, and designed by the great automobile designer Virgil Exner. During the mid-to late 1940’s, Plymouth valued it’s engineering capabilities over flashy designs, which ultimately resulted in slow sales. By 1947, Exner had stepped into the scene to implement his innovative vision into some Chrysler Corporation designs. In the early 1960’s, Chrysler requested Exner to design a unique car on a 106.5-inch Valiant chassis. The body of the XNR was entirely hand-formed out of steel by craftsman at the Italian design and coach building company, Ghia. Eventually, this unique model later became known as the ‘XNR’, a nod to Exner. Some eye-catching design elements included a off-centered hood scoop, driver’s side wrap-around windscreen, and offset tail-fin, and much more. The 195.2-inch long and 71-inch wide dream car set out to run tests at Chrysler’s high-speed proving ground in Michigan, where it clocked in a top speed of 146mph. Eventually, a streamlined fiberglass nose cone was added to the vehicle, which allowed for a 152mph top speed. After its show-circuit, the sole XNR wound up in the collection of Mohammad Reza Pahlevi, the former Shah of Iran. Following his ownership, the car made it’s way from Kuwait, to Lebanon, and eventually, in 2008, the XNR wound in the hand’s Canadian-based the RM Restoration facilities on behalf a new owner. From 2008 until 2011 the car was restored, just in time for the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. Thought to have been lost for years, the XNR finally made it’s official auction-house return to North America during the 2012 Monterey @rmsothebys sale, where it sold for $935,000. A couple of 1:1 scale replicas of Exner’s Plymouth XNR were created by Mark Towle and his team on ‘Car Masters: Rust to Riches’.
How many made? 1
Engine: 250 bhp, 170 cu in (2,787 cc) OHV slant 6-cylinder
Debut: n/a
Top speed: 152mph (claimed)
0-60: n/a
Photo Credit: @rmsothebys
Research: @rarecarsonly