Marilyn Monroe's Thunderbird to go on auction

Marilyn Monroe's Thunderbird

Marilyn Monroe's Thunderbird is going to auction and could fetch as much as $500,000

The two-seater convertible which was owned by Marilyn Monroe is going up for auction in November and could be worth up to half a million dollars.

Marilyn owned the 1956 raven black Ford Thunderbird, for six years until shortly before her death in 1962, is being auctioned for the first time.

Monroe is actually pictured driving in the car with her playwright husband, Arthur Miller (Death of a Salesman) shortly after their June 1956 wedding. The president of Julien's Auctions, Darren Julien, said the car was...

"not only part of automotive history but comes with an aura of glamour, romance and tragedy of a true Hollywood legend.

"It was bought new from on 20 December 1955 from Westport Motors in Connecticut by her company, Marilyn Monroe Productions, and most accounts suggest it was a Christmas gift from her business partner and photographer, Milton Greene.

"It was a powerful car for its time with a 165kW V8 and a top speed of 180km/h, and this car features the signature dual 'through the bumper' exhaust system that gives it a deep throaty sound and adds to its 'va-va-voom' personality."

Marilyn Monroe gave the car to the son of her acting coach, Lee Strasberg, as an 18th birthday gift, in August 1962 shortly before her death.

The current owner wants to remain anonymous but he tracked the vehicle down through registration and other documents when the car was sold in 2016 as part of John Strasberg's estate. The current owner of the Thunderbird said:

"Finding this car, a classic two-seater model, after 56 plus years of its unknown whereabouts, was a singular event,".

"No other car has been located and documented as owned by the incomparable Marilyn Monroe."

The car will be sold at Julien's Auctions in Los Angeles on 17 November. Below is a compilation by the Thunderbird Project of photographs of Monroe and her then-husband Arthur Miller, in the car.

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Justin Kavanagh
Justin Kavanagh is a recognised leader in automotive intelligence and vehicle data supply to the entire motor industry. He has almost 20 years experience in building systems from the ground up. As the Managing Director of Vehicle Management System, he understands the need and importance of trustworthy and reliable vehicle history and advice to both the trade and the public.
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