Marilyn Monroe’s 1955 T-Bird Could Fetch Half A Million Dollars

What becomes a legend most? If there ever was a mountainous celluloid myth it was Marilyn Monroe.  Misunderstood and emotionally needy, she was as fragile an icon if there ever was one. If Monroe’s spectacular yet tragic career draws you like a moth to a flame, you’re in luck. A two-seat T-Bird owned by Marilyn Monroe is crossing the block in November and could fetch up to $500,000.

According to Reuters, the 1956 raven black Ford Thunderbird, owned by the movie star for six years until shortly before her death in 1962, is being auctioned for the first time.

“Monroe, one of the most collectible celebrities, was pictured in the car with her husband, playwright Arthur Miller, shortly after their June 1956 wedding.

Monroe gifted the Thunderbird to the son of her acting coach, Lee Strasberg, in 1962. The current owner, who wishes to remain anonymous, tracked the vehicle down through registration and other documents that were sold in 2016 as part of Strasberg’s estate.

The car has undergone restoration but retains many original parts.

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 current owner said in a statement.”

Darren Julien, president of Julien’s Auctions, said: “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.

Once in a while something comes along that has a powerful magic about it, a charisma, because of everything and everyone associated with it.”

Monroe owned the car for six years before gifting it to John Strasberg, the son of director Lee Strasberg, for his 18th birthday shortly before her death in 1962.

The black two-seater has been partially restored, although “special heed was given to the retention of original parts, with most driver and passenger touch surfaces left undisturbed”, according to the Beverly Hills-based auctioneer.

The car, which has a black and white interior and has clocked 30,399 miles since having its engine rebuilt, comes with a canvas convertible roof and a detachable hard roof with distinctive porthole windows.

The American auto industry and the star making factories of Hollywood died decades ago and this car–coupled with Monroe’s ownership–is now like finding a trinket of Tutankhamen’s buried in the desert.

What do you think this car is worth? The estimate of $500,000 seems tame compared to million dollar ‘Cudas and ’60’s muscle cars. We’ll keep our eyes peeled and follow this sale and see what it eventually brings.

For now, what do you do with a car with provenance like this?  Drive it or sock it away in a museum?

The car will be sold at Julien’s Auctions in Los Angeles on Nov. 17.

 

About the author

Dave Cruikshank

Dave Cruikshank is a lifelong car enthusiast and an editor at Power Automedia. He digs all flavors of automobiles, from classic cars to modern EVs. Dave loves music, design, tech, current events, and fitness.
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