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By: Dave Schultz (aka BK) –
January 18, 2002
I am currently still
gathering the very elusive research information on
the Plymouth XNR. What I can tell you so far is:
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XNR is named after
its designer –
Virgil
M. Exner (XNR = Exner)
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Ghia in Italy
pounded out the body
-
It was released for
the Show circuit in 1960
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The color was Red
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I was powered by a
200HP Six-Banger. Haven’t been able to find out if
it was a Slant Six or not.
-
The wheelbase was
106”
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The 1961 Valiant
looks to have some of the styling cues of this car
– especially the trunk lid (less the fin) and
size.
-
It was being built
during the time when Exner was frustrated with
what was happening to his 1963 designs.
Attached are a few of the photos I have found so
far. Click on the thumbnail to see the larger photo.
  
  
If you know of an Internet site with color photos or
facts not on this page – please email that link to
me. BK
Candid shot of the man (X) and the car (XNR) submitted by Wayne Graefen
And a little help from John:
FYI---XNR used a 170 cid slant 6 for
power---Chrysler claimed it to be rated at 101
horsepower. 3-speed, floor-shift, manual tranny.
Body was, indeed made by Ghia.
Length:195.5"
Width: 71.0"
Height: 46"
Wheelbase: 106.5" (based on Valiant chassis)
Tires: 8.00 X 14
Far offset position of the hood scoop suggests that
the XNR may have been equipped with "Hyper-Pak" long
ram 4-bbl. intake and ductile cast iron split
exhaust (it is known to have had dual exhaust). The
street Hyper-Pak used a re-jetted Carter 2948S AFB
and generated 194 horsepower. In a 1960, 30-mile
compact car race at Daytona Beach (televised
nation-wide on CBS, sponsored by Chevrolet),
Hyper-Pak Valiants took 1st through 7th place,
defeating all Falcon and Corvair challengers. First
place Valiant driver Marvin Panch's average speed
was 122.282 mph.
Other Valiant-based concept cars: Chrysler "250"
(Ghia body, Chrysler built), "Asymmetrica" (Ghia
body, but not built by Chrysler, "St. Regis" (Ghia
body, but not built by Chrysler). Then, of course,
there was Tex Smith's, Steve Swaja-designed, "XR6"
which was built by Barris Customs, Gene Winfield,
Gordon Van's Body Shop and Smith himself. This car
was cover feature of August 1963 HRM (on which it is
pictured parked next to an F-104). This car was
slant-6-powered and featured triple Weber DCOE
side-draft carbs.
XNR information from an article by Jack Poehler
which appeared in Slant 6 News #32. Hyper-Pak
information from an article by Kevin McCabe which
appeared WPC News Volume X, Number XII.
Hope this helps to fill in your XNR page @
Moparstyle website.
---John
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