Plymouth XNR concept that survived Lebanon’s civil war goes to auction

One of the most unique concept cars ever created by a Detroit automaker will cross an auction block in Monterey, Calif., next month, the final step in an odyssey that took it from the United States through the Middle East and war-torn Beirut. How much would you pay for the strangest 150-mph Plymouth ever built?

Conceived by Chrysler designer Virgil Exner as a potential rival to the Chevy Corvette, the 1960 Plymouth XNR took styling notes from Indy racers and Jaguar D-Types, where it borrowed the fin behind the driver. Powered by a slant six-cylinder engine tuned to NASCAR specs, the XNR's 250 hp meant the car could hit 150 mph -- which it did at Chrysler's proving grounds. A promotional video made by Chrysler in 1960 calls it a "dream car come true."