A Ford Thunderbird convertible owned by Marilyn Monroe from late 1955 until shortly before her death in 1962 is for sale at auction in Los Angeles next month, when it is estimated that it will sell for US$300,000 to US$500,000 (NZ460,000–$765,000 at current exchange rates).
Soon after buying the Thunderbird, Monroe married playwright Arthur Miller. A report published at the time suggests that the couple drove this vehicle to their civil wedding ceremony on June 28, 1956 and probably also to their private wedding two days later.
The Thunderbird has a 312 cubic-inch (just over 5,000cc) V8 engine producing 167kW, which gave a top speed of 181km/h. Following an engine re-build, the odometer reads 30,399 miles.
With a two-door roadster body, it was pitched as Ford’s answer to the Chevrolet Corvette produced by its rival General Motors. Its bodywork is finished in Raven Black, with a black and white interior. As standard, it has Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission, power steering and brakes along with electric windows and seats.
Although it was purchased in late 1955, the Thunderbird is a 1956 model and, as such, came from the factory with both its canvas convertible top and a detachable hard top with distinctive “porthole” windows each side.
It was purchased on December 20, 1955 from Westport Motors in Westport, Connecticut in the name of Marilyn Monroe Productions. Most accounts suggest it was a Christmas gift from her business partner and photographer, Milton Greene.
Amy Greene, Milton Greene’s wife, speaking about this car, said: “Marilyn liked to drive. We’d take the convertible and with the top down, we’d go sailing along the highway. We both liked to feel the wind in our faces and the warmth of the heater on our legs.”
The actress owned it for six years until giving it as an 18th birthday present to John Strasberg, the son of director and acting coach Lee Strasberg. The legal transfer likely took place only a few months before Monroe’s death on August 5, 1962.
The Thunderbird is being sold at Julien’s Auctions’ annual Hollywood: Darren Julien, president and CEO of the auction house, said: “Once in a while something comes along that has a powerful magic about it, a charisma, because of everything and everyone associated with it.
“This wonderful black Ford Thunderbird is not only part of automotive history but comes with an aura of glamour, romance and tragedy of a true Hollywood legend.”
The car was traced and purchased by the current owner with the assistance of the accompanying documents which were among those received by Lee Strasberg when he inherited the majority of the Marilyn Monroe estate.
The Thunderbird is being sold at Julien’s Auctions’ annual Hollywood: Darren Julien, president and CEO of the auction house, said: “Once in a while something comes along that has a powerful magic about it, a charisma, because of everything and everyone associated with it.
“This wonderful black Ford Thunderbird is not only part of automotive history but comes with an aura of glamour, romance and tragedy of a true Hollywood legend.”
The car was traced and purchased by the current owner with the assistance of the accompanying documents which were among those received by Lee Strasberg when he inherited the majority of the Marilyn Monroe estate.
- Telegraph UK