Despite its modern look, Chrysler Plymouth XNR was built in 1960 and is the only model in existence.

Its outlandish design was supposed to replicate jet aircraft and rockets, while its bright red bodywork includes an exaggerated tail fin and two side fins.

The aircraft-inspired front nacelle adds to its space age visage.

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The sports roadster’s three-litre, six-cylinder engine is capable of speeds of up to 150mph.

And its sleek shape is even due to be digitised and integrated into Sony Playstation’s Gran Turismo GT6 game.

The unique car was once owned by the Shah of Iran before it ended up in the hands of teenage Lebanese car collector Karim Edde in 1980.

Mr Edde had to store it in an underground warehouse to protect the vehicle from the civil war that raged in Beirut.

He held onto the two-seater and in 2008 set about getting it fully restored and took it to RM Restoration in the U.S.

Mario van Raay, manager of RM Restoration, said: ‘When we received the XNR the body shell was intact and, considering its history, in surprisingly good condition.

‘Many original parts accompanied the XNR but our greatest challenge was the re-creation of the missing components.

‘Because of the extensive information and photos available, we could not take any liberties when re-manufacturing all these components.’

The car will this weekend be sold by RM Auctions in Monterey, California. It has a pre-sale estimate of $950,000.

Watch archive video of engineers taking the Plymouth XNR for a test drive in 1960:

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