Marilyn Monroe’s Ford Thunderbird Headed to Auction in November
As far as American icons go, Ford and legendary actress Marilyn Monroe find themselves in common company. The former is arguably the first name in American automotive, and the latter is easily one of the most iconic personalities and recognizable faces of the 20th century.
It should come as little surprise, then, that they managed to find each other: Monroe and husband Arthur Miller drove in a black 1955 Ford Thunderbird to their wedding way back in 1956. Monroe kept the car until just before her death in 1962, ultimately gifting it to John Strasberg on his 18th birthday.
That same Thunderbird is still around today — though Marilyn, sadly, is no longer with us. What’s more, that famous Ford is headed to the auction block in November, where Julien’s Auctions expects it to sell for upwards of $490,000.
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Photo: Julien’s Auctions
“This wonderful black Ford Thunderbird is not only part of the automotive history but comes with an aura of glamor, romance, and tragedy of a true Hollywood legend,” said Darren Julien, president of Julien’s Auctions. “Once in a while something comes along that has a powerful magic about it, a charisma, because of everything and everyone associated with it.”
According to Julien’s Auctions, the Marilyn Monroe’s Ford Thunderbird is partially restored, with most touch surfaces remaining intact and “special heed … given to the retention of original parts.” The Thunderbird has just 30,399 on its rebuilt engine, though it’s not likely that the winning bidder intends on putting too many more miles on the odometer.
If you love Marilyn Monroe and Ford and have, oh, about half a million bucks to spare, head out to the Julien’s Auctions event on Nov. 17 and get your hands on a piece of history.
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