The world's one and only Chrysler Plymouth XNR has been sold for NZ$1,175,000.

The XNR, a concept vehicle by famed Chrysler designer Virgil Exner, was built in 1960 with a design intended to pay homage to jets and rockets of the day.

It was reported that despite its wild lines and bizarre shape, the XNR was - and still is - a real, driveable automobile.

Chrysler claims the XNR, which is powered by a 260 horsepower "slant six" engine, has reached speeds of 240 kilometres per hour on the company's test track.

The car has a rich history, including surving the Lebanese civil war. It was originally sold to the Shah of Iran and was later found by a Lebanese collector in a Beirut parking garage and had to be moved several times to keep it from destruction. it eventually ended up back in the US where full restoration work began in 2008 and was completed in 2010.

Mario Van Raay, General Manager at RM Auto Restoration said the now fully restored XNR runs and drives well.

"It sounds great," he said. "The engine note is fantastic."

- © Fairfax NZ News