A classic car from the dawn of the space age was sold for nearly $1-million at a recent auction in Monterey, California.

The Plymouth XNR was designed and built over 50 years ago and resembles something out of a '60s sci-fi film. The car was designed to resemble the jet fighters and rockets of the day, with the fin behind the driver's seat thought to add stability to the car when it hit its top speed.

The nacelle in the front of the car resembles the front nose of an airplane and adds to the space age look.

Not surprising for a car of its age, the Plymouth has some history behind it. It was once owned by the Shah of Iran before Lebanese car collector, Karim Edde, bought it.

The two-seater car was stored in an underground warehouse in Beirut, where it survived the civil war.

In 2008, the car was brought to the US, where Karim had it fully restored.