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Highway to Hollywood: Pop Culture & Automotive History Intertwine at Julien’s

From Marilyn Monroe's Ford Thunderbird to Elvis Presley's Cadillacs, these iconic vehicles offer a unique blend of history and emotion.

August 2, 2024

a black thunderbird is parked on the side of the road next to a palm tree .

Lot #482. THE MARILYN MONROE 1956 FORD THUNDERBIRD

Julien's Auctions is synonymous with iconic celebrity memorabilia and Hollywood treasures – but did you know we also hold a lesser-known yet equally fascinating facet: the sale of legendary vehicles with captivating ties to the stars.

While many associate us with Marilyn Monroe's dresses, Michael Jackson’s Thriller Jacket, or being the authority on all-things guitars, we also have quietly become a major player in the automotive world, offering a unique blend of pop culture and automotive history.

In the world of high-profile auctions, Julien’s has made headlines by offering vehicles with deep connections to beloved celebrities. From Steve McQueen's motorcycle to Elvis Presley's Cadillacs, these automobiles not only represent transportation but also serve as tangible links to the lives and legacies of iconic figures. It's not just about the cars themselves; it's about the stories they carry and the emotions they evoke.

ELVIS PRESLEY 1977 LINCOLN MARK V COUPE

Sold Price

$62,500

Estimate:

$50,000 - $70,000

Lot #261

A 1977 white on white Lincoln Mark V purchased by Elvis Presley while he was performing at the Hilton International Hotel in Las Vegas in December 1976. Presley and girlfriend Ginger Alden had a difficult time finding a white on white Lincoln, but they finally located one at Star Lincoln Mercury Sales Inc. in Glendale, California. This is one of the last vehicles purchased by Presley, who passed away a few months later. Presley paid $13,500 for the car and sent his longtime chauffeur, Gerald Peters, to pick it up. He then paid two men $2,000 to drive the car from Las Vegas to Memphis, Tennessee. Presley and Alden often drove the car. On January 3, 1977, Presley used the car to attend Alden’s grandfather’s funeral in Mount Sherman, Arkansas. Presley later gifted the car to Alden.

The car has been on display at the Elvis Museum. The Lincoln Mark V is powered by a 6.6 liter, 400-cid V-8 engine with a 2-barrel carburetor, Duraspark ignition and Select Drive 3-speed automatic transmission. Features include twin comfort lounge seats, high-gloss walnut woodgrain instrument panel, Cartier day/date clock, 2-spoke steering wheel, 6-way driver’s seat, tinted glass, lighted ashtray with lighter, automatic temperature control air conditioning, and leather interior. This is also a steel roof or vinyl roof delete car. The winning bidder is responsible for pickup or shipping of the vehicle from Palmetto, Florida.

Rock 'N' Roll

NIRVANA: KURT COBAIN PERSONALLY OWNED 1965 DODGE DART - WITH NFT •

Sold Price

$375,000

Estimate:

$400,000 - $600,000

Lot #1016

A light blue 1965 Dodge Dart 170 4-door sedan that is the only known car still in existence owned and driven by Kurt Cobain. This Dodge is equipped with a 225 cubic inch carbureted slant six-cylinder engine (3.7 L) producing 145 horsepower, and is mated to a 3-speed Torqueflite automatic transmission. This Dodge Dart was built at Chrysler's Los Angeles Assembly Plant, and as indicated by the vehicle's identification number, was sequence number 173082, or number 73,082 built in that year. In 1965, Dodge Darts would be equipped with seatbelts as a standard feature. This Dart is equipped with its original 13-inch steel wheels with Dodge "dog dish" hubcaps, an original Dart "All Transistor" AM radio and heater. This vehicle has a new blue vinyl floor mat, replacement floor boards as well as reupholstered blue vinyl and cloth bench seats. The vehicle's odometer reads 67,087 miles.

Detailed in Heavier Than Heaven: A Biography of Kurt Cobain by Charles R. Cross, in March 1994, "Kurt and Courtney were quarreling when they took a cab to the American Dream car lot. He bought a 1965 sky blue Dodge Dart for $2,500" (Cross, 2001). It is clear that Kurt was not interested in a conspicuous vehicle, even as a famous musician. As detailed by his close friends, Kurt felt strongly about vehicle safety and often drove ten miles per hour under the speed limit. Though a sensible choice for an automobile, Kurt's car would serve as more than just a form of transportation, he saw art in the design of older vehicles.

This vehicle has a rich and sentimental history with Kurt's sister Kim Cobain, who has owned it for the last 28 years. Kim purchased the car from Courtney Love following Kurt's death, and the vehicle retains much of its originality to this day. She even lovingly named the car "Baby Blue." In those 28 years, the vehicle has received general maintenance to keep it roadworthy, such as a new water pump, gas tank, heater core and repairs made to the radiator, in which Kim personally worked on alongside her mechanic. The vehicle's tires were replaced in 2021.

NFT ATTRIBUTES
An animated digital representation of the Kurt Cobain's Dodge Dart vehicle certificate of title, this exclusive NFT (Non-Fungible Token) is a 1 of 1 Edition and includes the physical Dodge Dart vehicle.

The item is brought to life in an even more personal way through Kim Cobain's exclusive audio narration, which is minted as part of this NFT. An NFT is a unique and non-interchangeable unit of data stored on the blockchain. The winner of this item will share in the exclusivity of Cobain history as the sole owner of the NFT.

BLOCKCHAIN Ethereum

Consider the 1966 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Coupe owned by Slash of Guns N’ Roses. This stunning vehicle, sold by Julien's, embodied Slash’s charisma and timeless style. Similarly, the auction of Janet Jackson’s 2003 Aston Martin V12 Vanquish encapsulated the spirit of the early-2000s fast life and Jackson’s artistic vision of demanding the best of herself and others. These vehicles become more than just machines; they become artifacts of cultural significance.

GUNS N' ROSES

SLASH 1966 CHEVROLET CORVETTE STINGRAY COUPE (WITH PHOTO AND MAGAZINE ARTICLE)

Sold Price

$227,500

Estimate:

$100,000 - $200,000

Lot #48

An original 1966 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray that was personally owned and driven by Slash.

The vehicle is equipped with a 7.0 liter 427 big block engine that is mated to a four-speed Muncie manual transmission, producing 390 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. The odometer on this vehicle reads 35,164 miles, although it is unknown whether this reflects the true mileage. As indicated by the vehicle's VIN number, the Corvette was built at the St. Louis, Missouri assembly plant, and was number 5,155 built in the year 1966.

The vehicle has been mildly customized to more closely resemble a 1967 Corvette Stingray with the addition of Chevy's rally wheels with centercaps, and the addition of a fiberglass "stinger" hood that features a classic red stripe and hood scoop. Another noticeable change is the addition of a third taillight on either side of the back of the Corvette.

Slash also added dark tinting to the windows of the Corvette. In a Car Stereo Review article, he mentions, "One time I got stopped at a stoplight, and I heard somebody go, 'Hey dude!' And that gives you a fuckin' jolt right? So I turn around and there are these dudes in a 4 x 4, giving me the longhorns.... I've finally stopped paying attention to the people around me, especially now that I got tinted windows."

Inside the Corvette, the vehicle retains much of its originality, with reupholstered bucket seats, and a sports wood grain steering wheel. This Corvette is equipped with air conditioning, although it has not been tested for operation.

In an article with Vette Magazine, Slash noted that he purchased this particular car during the rise of Guns N' Roses, making it one of his first big purchases with the band. He says, "“I bought the ’66 Corvette in 1988, and it is the first real car I ever actually owned back when Guns N’ Roses made any money." He continued, "Before that I had a Honda CRX, but that doesn’t count as a real car. All the important stuff is original, and it runs killer. I hate to part with it, but it never gets driven...I’m always on the road.”

Slash and this Corvette were featured on the cover of the magazine Car Stereo Review in 1995 for the January/February issue. In the article, Slash is asked if he would be willing to have roses thrown around the front of the Corvette to match the theme of Guns 'N' Roses. He answered, "Nah, forget it, no roses, that's Axel's thing - he's the roses. I'm the guns." The article continues, "For Slash, lounging in La-La Land also meant sliding behind the wheel of his 66' Vette and doing what any good Californian does with his free time: racing around Hollywood with his stereo blaring."

Slash said in the same interview, "I'm into cars, I don't know shit about them - I don't have the patience for fixing them myself - but I like 'em. I like to drive them and drive them fast. And if I smash them, oh well."

This vehicle has received restoration work in recent years that has included a repaint of the vehicle in 2011 after work was done to the front end, an overhaul of the engine that included resealing and replacement of worn parts, new tires in 2019, reupholstering of leather seats in 2011, the steering column rebuilt, a new dash pad and glovebox door installed, a new air conditioning system, a replacement wiring harness installed in 2017, as well as a new battery added in 2023.

During an interview with Julien's Auctions in 2011 in regards to parting with the Corvette, Slash said, "I think probably the hardest thing to get rid of, and I've been struggling with it a long time, is the car. I thought about maybe should I sell it, and I've been keeping it and keeping it, and then finally when I decided to do this auction, that was the last thing that I decided was going to go on the auction block. I wasn't around when they picked the car up, which was probably for the best.

JANET JACKSON: 2003 ASTON MARTIN V12 VANQUISH

Sold Price

$92,075

Estimate:

$50,000 - $70,000

Lot #350

A rare and original 2003 Aston Martin V12 Vanquish that was personally owned and driven by Janet Jackson.

This vehicle is equipped with a DOHC 48-valve 5.9 liter 12-cylinder engine that is mated to a six-speed sequential gearbox, producing 460 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. The Vanquish was capable of reaching speeds of up to 200 miles per hour, and reached sixty miles per hour in 4.9 seconds. The odometer on this vehicle reads 21,208 miles.

At the front of the engine compartment, a build plate reads, "ASTON MARTIN/ HANDBUILT/ IN ENGLAND/ FINAL INSPECTION BY/ STUART BULL/ ENGINE NO./ 00604." Over the course of their production, only 1,489 V12 Vanquishes were crafted. The transmission is operated via paddle shifters mounted behind the steering wheel, as well as a through two buttons mounted on the dash panel. While some of these iconic Aston Martins have been converted to a manual transmission, this example retains all of its original parts and components.

The interior features premium black leather seating with charcoal gray perforated leather inserts. The vehicle features ventilated and drilled disc brakes with four-piston calipers, four-wheel antilock braking system and electronic brake distribution, sport double wishbone suspension, front and rear antiroll bar, and a limited slip differential.

This type of Aston Martin Vanquish is seen in the iconic James Bond film Die Another Day (Eon Productions, 2002).

At Julien's, we don’t merely sell vehicles; we curate experiences. Each auction is a carefully orchestrated event that brings together collectors, enthusiasts, and history buffs who share a passion for automobiles and the stories behind them. Bidders aren't just buying cars; they're investing in memories, emotions, and a tangible piece of the past. Plus, cars are pretty cool!

But the allure of Julien's extends beyond the celebrity factor. We consistently demonstrate our commitment to preserving automotive history and offering collectors a chance to own a piece of it in the most unique way.

JOHNNY CASH FINAL VEHICLE 1990 MERCEDES-BENZ 560 SEL W126 SALOON

Sold Price

$68,750

Estimate:

$60,000 - $80,000

Lot #312

A black four-door Mercedes-Benz 560 SEL W126 Saloon that was Johnny Cash’s daily driver until his death in 2003. The powertrain consists of a Daimler-Benz naturally aspirated 5.6-liter, V-8 gasoline engine with Bosch KE Jetronic SOHC, producing 238 horsepower and 287 pounds-feet of torque, and a 4-speed automatic transmission. The rear-wheel-drive sedan accelerates from 0-60 mph in 8.1 seconds at a top speed of 149 mph. Features include leather interior; driver power seat control with adjustable steering column; driver, passenger and rear heated seats; power sunroof; fully automatic climate control; ABS braking system; driver’s side air bag; and traction control system. Also included is the set of wheels that Cash had on the car when he drove it (the new wheels on the car currently were installed by daughter Cindy Cash), a torn envelope with Cash's signature that his daughter found in the car, a black phone that Cash used in the car but no longer works, three sets of keys, an owner's and maintenance manual with Cash's name on it, a number of service receipts written out to June Carter Cash and also to Johnny Cash, and a "JCash" license plate. Previously titled in Cash’s name, the vehicle is now titled in the name of Ox Auto, a 100% subsidiary of Bon Aqua Farm LLC that was owned by Cash. The address on the title is that of “the Farm,” which Cash owned for more than 30 years and has called it the "center of my universe.” The seller of the car also owns the property. The car has logged slightly over 139,500 miles. It is in good working condition, and an inspection report is available upon request.

No other person with country music roots has crossed over into so many other genres than The Man in Black, Johnny Cash. Having sold more than 90 million records, Cash is one of the best-selling artists of all time. He is not just a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame but also the halls of Rock & Roll, Rockabilly and Gospel, and, of course, he is a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Cash was born in Arkansas in 1932, one of seven children to Carrie and Ray Cash. In 1950, Cash enlisted in the United States Air Force, when, while on active duty in Landsberg, Germany, he created his first band, The Landsberg Barbarians. He served in the USAF for four years. After being honorably discharged, Cash moved to Memphis, where he sold appliances and studied to be a radio announcer, playing music at night. He was signed by Sam Phillips of Sun Records in 1955. His first number one hit, “I Walk the Line,” was recorded and released in 1956.

In total, Cash has had 40 top ten songs, nine of which hit number one. He won 18 GRAMMY Awards, 13 Country Music Association Awards, and one MTV Music Award, proving Johnny Cash not only stood the test of time but continued to be relevant throughout his career. The buyer will be responsible for pickup or shipping from Bon Aqua, Tennessee.

Rock 'N' Roll

BURT REYNOLDS LAST PERSONALLY-OWNED TRANS AM

Sold Price

$317,500

Estimate:

$300,000 - $500,000

Lot #716

The summer of 1977 brought us one of the most iconic movie cars ever... the Pontiac Trans Am Special Edition. The vehicle gained worldwide attention after one was seen driven by Hollywood legend, Burt Reynolds, in his iconic film, “Smokey and the Bandit.” Forty years later, Mr. Reynolds wanted a Trans Am for himself because “Smokey” was his favorite film, but all the original cars used during filming were destroyed. His friend and business partner, Gene Kennedy from Bandit Movie Cars, was the obvious choice to acquire and build the car for Reynolds, which is what is now being offered in this lot.

A 1979 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am SE Y84, 70,000 original miles. Under the hood is a freshly built K-code 6.6-liter 403 cubic inch V-8 engine backed by a new Turbo 350 automatic transmission that puts to the ground nearly twice the horsepower as the original. It still maintains a factory-stock appearance but with updated air conditioning added to keep Mr. Reynolds comfortable behind the wheel. It is signed on the glove box in gold paint pen by Reynolds. Please note this is a numbers matching vehicle. Reynolds used this car on the 2017 ‘Bandit Run’ as well as on several cross country rallies that celebrated the 40 year anniversary of “Smokey and the Bandit.” The car also made an appearance on Motor Trend’s cable TV show, “Bitchin’ Rides.” Only one 1979 Trans Am in the world today has the provenance of being built for the Bandit himself. This is that car. You’ll never get any closer than this to the real movie car as this is The Last Trans Am registered and currently tagged to Mr. Burt Reynolds himself.

This piece was consigned by Gene Kennedy, Reynolds' business partner; Reynolds either gifted this to Kennedy or they co-owned it as part of their partnership.

Hollywood

Raquel Welch

2018 Mercedes-Benz SL 550 Roadster Convertible

Sold Price

$104,000

Estimate:

$70,000 - $100,000

Lot #457

An original 2018 Mercedes-Benz SL550 Convertible that was personally owned and driven by Raquel Welch.

This Mercedes-Benz features a 4.7 liter V8 Biturbo engine that is mated to a 9G-TRONIC 9-speed automatic transmission, producing 449 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. The vehicle's odometer reads 7,923 miles. This SL550 Roadster reaches 60 miles per hour in 4.3 seconds and can reach speeds of up to 155 miles per hour (electronically limited). This Mercedes-Benz features a Polar White exterior (Code 149), with Porcelain/Black Exclusive Nappa leather interior and Black Ash Wood trim.

Optional features that Raquel added to the vehicle included a black "DINAMICA" headliner, and the Driver Assistance Package that included technology such as Active Steering Assist, Active Brake Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, and PRE-SAFE PLUS.

This roadster features a hard-top convertible, the AMG Line exterior package, a glass panorama sunroof, premium 19 inch aluminum AMG multi-spoke wheels with Continental tires, keyless entry, dual climate control with heated and ventilated seats, a sports-tuned exhaust, semi-active tuned suspension, and other sports-luxury features.

Accompanied by the original window sticker when Raquel Welch purchased the vehicle from Mercedes-Benz of Encino.

Notice: The winning bidder is responsible for ensuring that proper vehicle transfer of ownership is completed in accordance with state and federal regulations. The winning bidder is additionally responsible for coordinating vehicle shipment and delivery. Vehicles are held at Julien's headquarters unless otherwise noted in the lot description. Julien's will not be held liable for any money owed on a vehicle or fees associated with the vehicle's ownership. Pre-sale condition reports are available upon request in writing via e-mail only.

PROVENANCE From The Estate of Raquel Welch

Automobile

From now on, picture more than red carpet gowns and movie props at Julien’s. Envision gleaming chrome, roaring engines, and the echoes of legendary figures who once sat behind the wheel. Whether you're a seasoned collector or simply fascinated by the intersection of celebrity and automotive history, we invite you to stay tuned for the next chapter in this exciting saga. Who knows what iconic vehicle might roll onto the auction block next?

a brown and white electric guitar with a black background

Live Auction

PLAYED, WORN, & TORN

Nov 20, 2024

8:00 AM PST