What was Elvis most famous car?

Elvis’ Collection Had Some Weird Cars

Elvis Presley was a celebrity famous for his rebellious attitude, smooth-as-silk sound, and in some cases, his relationship with cars. The superstar famously gifted his mother a Cadillac, shot a De Tomaso Pantera, and accidentally burned another Caddy to the ground on the side of the road. Still, not even Elvis himself could resist stocking his collection with some international cars spanning from timelessly fabulous to just plain weird. Here are some of the most noteworthy vehicles in Elvis’ collection.

1973 Stutz Blackhawk III
Ferrari Dino 308 GT4
Cadillac Deville Wagon
De Tomaso Pantera
Messerschmitt KR200

Did Elvis own a Stutz Blackhawk?

Elvis owned an over-the-top 1973 Stutz Blackhawk III. The American land yacht looks as though it drove right off the pages of a comic book. However, the big luxury cruiser is no joke. It was an epically exclusive and expensive car, taking a big luxurious American vehicle and sending it off to Italy for a hand-built body. According to GQ, Elvis liked the Stutz Blackhawk so much that he owned five in total.

Elvis

Elvis had a Ferrari Dino 308 GT4 in his collection

What celebrity car collection is complete without a Ferrari? The King’s certainly had one: a 1975 Ferrari Dino 308 GT4. Currently on display at Graceland, the 308 GT4 is a benchmark in Ferrari history. Also, with a namesake like Dino, after Enzo’s son, it is undoubtedly iconic.

It’s a shame that he shot it, considering how fantastic the Pantera is as a concept. Ford produced the low-slung exotic in an agreement with De Tomaso. This collaboration resulted in an attractive Italian-styled car with a Ford V8 engine, and one of the most unique cars in Elvis’ collection.

What is a Messerschmitt KR200?

The undisputed weirdest car in Elvis’ collection was his Messerschmitt KR200. Glossing over the mile-long moniker, the Messerschmitt looks like something out of the Peel P50 or BMW Isetta collection. Specifically, the KR200 looks like a WWII fighter plane’s cockpit with tiny wheels.

There’s a reason why the microcar appears this way. Messerschmitt was a warplane manufacturer in Germany during the second world war, and the KR200 looks like a stylistic nod to the company’s aviation roots. Also, with its fighter plane-style canopy and tiny stature, the KR200 takes the cake as the oddest vehicle in the King’s collection.

Scroll down to the following article to read more about famous machines!

Elvis Presley’s cars

Elvis Presley wasn’t just known for his music and movies — he also had an incredible car collection including his crazy amount of Cadillacs.

Elvis Presley, aka the King of Rock and Roll, needs no introduction. Pioneering and popularising rock and roll music, the ‘Hollywood Heartthrob’ made a career in both music and film during his illustrious career.

But did you know the King was a bit of a petrol head? Aside from his renowned Cadillac collection, Elvis had an extensive range of other automobiles – enough so that a Car Museum was opened in Graceland to house them all!

Now, 40-years on from his untimely death, we decided to take a look at the King’s car collection.

1955 Cadillac Fleetwood 60

One of Elvis’s most popular cars, the iconic ‘Pink Cadillac’ was reported to be the King’s favourite car. Originally, Presley bought a 1954 model but after only 3 months on the road, the car caught on fire and was unfit to drive.

One month later, Elvis decided to buy another Cadillac, only this time, the car was the 1955 Fleetwood series 60 model. Originally purchased in blue, Presley had the car repainted by Jimmy Sanders in what he nicknamed ‘Elvis Pink’.

After short use, he gave the car to his mother, Gladys, who would refer to the pink Cadillac as ‘her car’ despite never actually occupying a driving license.

1975 Ferrari Dino 308 GT 4

As a Hollywood legend, the King was obviously an advocate of luxury Italian motors. Purchased second hand in October of 1976, the Ferrari Dino two-door coupe was one of the last cars the King ever bought.

Possessing a 3.0-litre V8 engine capable of producing 251bhp, the car was the last generation to receive the ‘Dino’ branding, with the ‘76 model re-gaining the iconic prancing pony badging.

Elvis’s Ferrari is currently on display in the Auto Museum at Graceland.

1956 Cadillac Eldorado

Another one of Elvis’s iconic Cadillacs, the 1956 purple Eldorado was one of the King’s most well recognised cars (and for good reason).

As the story goes, Elvis purchased the car in 1956 where it was painted white with a black interior. When he took the car to Jimmy Sanders (the man who customised his pink Cadillac) he squashed a handful of grapes on the fender and stated he wished for the car to be painted that colour.

The car’s interior also saw a variety of customisation. Fitted with white pleated leather and a purple dyed fur floor, the car boasted chic superstar style. A year after, Elvis traded the car in so it must not have rocked his jailhouse.

1963 Rolls-Royce Phantom V Touring Limousine

In 1963, Elvis bought himself a brand new Rolls-Royce Phantom V which was custom fitted with a variety of gadgets including a telephone, air conditioning and a Blaupunkt Koln radio.

Initially, the car was purchased in Midnight Blue, but after his mother’s chickens pecked at the paintwork, the King had the car resprayed to white.

The car served Elvis for five years in which A-list celebrities such as the Beatles took a ride in the car. After its service, the Rolls-Royce was donated to a charity where it sold for a reported $35,000 (about £27,000).

1973 Stutz Blackhawk

Believe it or not, Presley bought a selection of Blackhawks throughout the 70s and was even said to be the first American to own a Stutz. Elvis actually obtained one of the pre-production prototypes in 1970 but after the car was involved in an accident, he had it put in storage.

Various sources have reported that the King’s favourite Stutz was his 1973 Blackhawk III – a rare car because of its red leather interior and gold-plated trim. In fact, the last known photograph of Elvis was taken whilst he was driving his ‘73 Blackhawk.

1957 BMW 507

One of the more fascinating vehicles owned by the King of Rock, Elvis’s 1957 BMW 507 chassis number 70079 has a long and interesting heritage.

Bought in 1958 by the Hollywood heartthrob during his time as a US soldier, Elvis would drive the car to the US military base in Friedburg, Germany, where he would get mobbed by his female fans along the way. The fans would write messages in red lip stick all over the white paintwork, so Presley decided to get the car re-painted in red – presumably to disguise the love notes.

Elvis eventually traded the car and the 507 faded out of existence… until BMW discovered the car and decided to buy it back. A rusted wreck at the time, the manufacturer decided to renovate the classic BMW, completing the restoration in 2016. BMW 507s now sell for over $1 million, so like the Steve McQueen effect, expected auction selling prices are astronomical.

Elvis’s Other Cars

1970 Mercedes-Benz 600

Pontiac 2-Door

1971 Detomassa Pantera

1956 Messerschmitt Custom Built

1958 Volkswagen Beatle

1961 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud

From Graceland to Raceland: Elvis’ Pink Cadillac to Headline Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Pennzoil AutoFair

Monday, Jan 27 3385

Move over, Richard Petty and Steve Kinser: another famous car belonging to “The King” is coming to Charlotte Motor Speedway. Elvis Presley’s™ pink-and-white 1955 Cadillac, the car most associated with “The King” and the birth of rock ‘n’ roll music, will roll into Charlotte Motor Speedway to serve as the centerpiece attraction for the April 2-5 Pennzoil AutoFair.

Other than a trip to London in 2015, the iconic Fleetwood sedan – recognized as one of the most famous American-made cars – has not been displayed outside of Memphis since Elvis Presley’s Graceland ® opened for tours in 1982. Currently the car resides in the new Presley Motors exhibit in the Elvis Presley’s Memphis entertainment and exhibit complex across the street from Graceland.

Charlotte Motor Speedway, which celebrates its 60 th anniversary this year, was no stranger to Presley during his remarkable career. Alongside Nancy Sinatra, Presley starred in the 1968 movie “Speedway,” which was filmed at Charlotte Motor Speedway. By then, Presley was a worldwide star.

“We are thrilled to join in celebrating the Charlotte Motor Speedway’s 60 th anniversary,” stated Jack Soden, CEO of Elvis Presley Enterprises. “No doubt that Elvis would be delighted to support the celebration.”

As a struggling, 19-year-old singer in October 1954, Presley and his band began traveling from one performance to another by car. To make the hectic, grinding schedule work, band members often slept in the car between gigs when they weren’t taking a turn at the wheel. Band cars had to be large, comfortable, fast, and stylish, which narrowed the field in the mid-1950s to the powerful V-8 engine Lincolns and Cadillacs.

Contrary to legend, the famous pink ’55 Caddy was not The King’s first car as a traveling musician. In January 1955, Presley bought a 1951 Lincoln, which his bass player totaled in March. The singer replaced the Lincoln with a used, pink-and-white 1954 Cadillac that caught fire and burned on the side of the road in June. To keep Presley happy and mobile, his manager helped the singer finance a new Cadillac Series 60 Fleetwood Special on July 7, 1955.

Cadillac’s Fleetwood sedan came equipped that year with a 331ci, 250hp V-8 and HydraMatic automatic transmission. Measuring 227 inches from end to end, it was 2.5 inches longer than today’s Chevrolet Suburban full-size SUV and would seat six comfortably. It came standard with luxury equipment such as power windows, power brakes, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat for $4,728.

Presley’s four-door was loaded with optional air conditioning, dual-speaker radio, a pair of spotlights, and Cadillac’s high-tech Autronic-Eye sensor, which automatically dimmed the car’s headlights when it detected oncoming traffic. The Fleetwood could be ordered in one of 200 color combinations; Presley’s car was blue with a black roof when he bought it. He had the body repainted pink so the sedan would match the pink-and-black color scheme Presley had popularized with his suits.

On Sept. 2, when the car was less than two months old, the Caddy was in an accident while the band was performing in Texas. Presley had the Cadillac repaired and repainted in the now-familiar pink and white color scheme. He gave it to his mother Gladys, who had no driver’s license.

Today, any finned Cadillac painted pink has come to symbolize Elvis Presley’s early career and the birth of rock ‘n’ roll. Thousands of tribute cars – usually convertibles from the late 1950s driven by Elvis Tribute Artists and car collectors – can be seen around the world at car shows and in parades, but the original Elvis pink Cadillac will be on display during all four days of the April 2–5 Pennzoil AutoFair at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

MORE INFO:
The Pennzoil AutoFair features more than 50 car club displays and more than 10,000 vendor spaces offering an array of automotive parts and memorabilia. More than 1,500 collectible vehicles of all makes and models will be available for sale in the car corral that rings the 1.5-mile superspeedway. In addition, kids can enjoy face-painting, bounce houses, and other games and entertainment in the Play Zone. Hours for the April 2-5 Pennzoil AutoFair are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

TICKETS:
Single-day tickets are $13 each day for adults. Admission is FREE for children 13 and under with an adult. A 4-Day Weekend Pass is available for just $32. To buy tickets, AutoFair attendees can call the speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267), shop online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com , or buy them at the gate.

FOLLOW US:
Keep track of Pennzoil AutoFair attractions and events by following on Twitter and Instagram or become a Facebook fan. Keep up with all the latest news and information with the Charlotte Motor Speedway mobile app.