One of Monroe’s favorite cars was the 1955 Ford Thunderbird. It was the fastest car of its time and was very reminiscent of the irrepressible character of Marilyn. This automobile witnessed Monroe’s separation from her three husbands. Once she even burned the chair with a cigarette: later the next owner, thanks to this incident, sold the vehicle at a crazy price.
Marilyn Monroe is remembered as a vivid image of 1950s American cinema. Automobiles played an important role in her life and the famous diva owned a beautiful garage full of the most remarkable automobiles of the time. Until now, no one knows how many automobiles Marilyn had in total, but it is known that she was not interested in European models such as Rolls Royce, Ferrari, or Bentley, preferring only American vehicles.
Let’s recall the most remarkable automobiles of the iconic American actress.
1955 Ford Thunderbird
One of Marilyn’s first famous automobiles was a 1955 Ford Thunderbird painted in her favorite pink. It was a gift from her business partner and photographer Milton Greene, and she adored it. The actress became its owner after starring in several films and receiving the title of a sex symbol of that time. While Marilyn was driving this vehicle, she managed to get married three times. On June 28, 1956, Marilyn married writer and screenwriter Arthur Miller. The newlyweds went to the wedding ceremony on this automobile, and then on June 30 to a private wedding party. Marilyn Monroe traveled in her favorite Thunderbird almost until her death. After her divorce, she gave the automobile to the 18-year-old son of her sports coach, John Strasberg. The donation documents were finalized a couple of months before the tragic death of Monroe. In 1970, John sold the vehicle, and subsequently, the car changed several more owners. This automobile survives to this day and was last sold to a new owner in 2018 for $500,000.
Cadillac Eldorado
Cadillac Eldorado was the executive-class automobile of the famous blonde. It was truly an expensive vehicle the upper-class elite could afford to drive. Interestingly, it was a gift from the iconic Elvis Presley who was very fond of Cadillac models, owning a whole garage full of various Cadillacs. Moreover, he gave them to those whom he loved. Some said Elvis was in love with the Hollywood sex symbol, and so gave her a four-door 1958 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham as a gift. Monroe immediately fell in love with her gift. This automobile had its style: it had pointed high rear fins, a brushed steel roof, four rounded headlights, an automatically opening trunk, electronic door locks, a dual heating system, an automatic starter, seat memory, cruise control, and forged aluminum wheels. The vehicle was assembled almost entirely by hand which made it cost $13,074.
Jaguar XK140MC
Marilyn also bought a Jaguar XK140MC. This automobile occupies a special place in the fate of Monroe. First of all, this was the first and only automobile of a prestigious European brand, bought by Marilyn herself, even though she preferred American vehicles. Jaguar XK140MC was not a wedding gift to Arthur Miller – the car was bought in 1957 a year after the marriage ceremony. Monroe loved her third husband, idolized his image, and believed that a famous playwright should be perfect in everything. An indispensable attribute of universal recognition, in her opinion, was an elite sports vehicle.
Cadillac Convertible
In 1953, a Cadillac Convertible appeared in the garage of the famous blonde as a gift for her participation in “The Jack Benny Show”. In 1954, Monroe had an accident driving this automobile with her then-second husband, Joe DiMaggio. She crashed into another automobile while driving the car at high speed. For this violation, the actress was fined $500 and deprived of a driver’s license. Despite this, Marilyn later drove in another automobile, donated to her by her third husband, Milton Greene. After two years of driving without a license in New York, she was arrested by the police. And only thanks to the efforts of the lawyer, the actress managed to get off with a fine of $55.
Even though the film star was famous and in great favor in American cinema, and men, she was deeply unhappy. Only riding in her favorite cars was able to console Marilyn in difficult times during problems, worries, and depression.
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