Any Elvis Presley fan knows that August 16 is a very special day. It is the anniversary of the King’s death. It will be 42 years since his passing, and many of us still remember what we were doing when we heard the sad news. Elvis Presley is one of the most iconic figures from the 20th Century, and his music is still loved by many today. In addition to his music, Elvis is remembered for his unique style – especially when it came to his cars! Join us as we share some Presley-owned cars that we can’t help falling in love with!
1955 Cadillac Fleetwood 60
1956 Cadillac El Dorado
After cranking out a string of hits that included “Heartbreak Hotel” and “Hound Dog”, Elvis bought the white 1956 Cadillac El Dorado convertible (which cost more than $7,000 at the time) in Houston, TX, after a concert. The salesman didn’t recognize Elvis and wouldn’t let him test drive the Cadillac, but Elvis laid down $7,500 in cash and demanded that the commission go to the guy outside who was washing the vehicles.
After driving back to Memphis in the new Cadillac El Dorado, Elvis had the car custom-painted in a grape purple to match his flamboyant tastes. Legend has it that he took the car to the same guy who painted the pink Cadillac, crushed a bunch of grapes on the exterior, and said that was the color he wanted.
Elvis only had the grape-colored Cadillac for a short time and traded it in the following year. A friend of Elvis’ mother purchased the vehicle from a local dealership for $4,893. The Cadillac eventually began to age and was left out in a field to rot, but it was auctioned off in 1976 for $975. The new owner worked hard and spent $28,000 to restore the rusted and gutted vehicle, but it was not completed before Elvis’ untimely death. Today, it is now on display at Graceland.
1950s Volkswagen Beetle
After becoming a superstar, Elvis Presley was drafted into the United States Army and was stationed in Germany. During his time overseas, he purchased a Volkswagen Beetle. As far as we know, it was a pre-owned model from the early to mid-1950s. While in Germany, Elvis took up karate, and when it was time to return to the United States, he gave the Beetle to his karate instructor.
Other Cars Owned by Elvis Presley
During his tenure in Germany, Elvis developed a taste for European cars. While he purchased approximately 400 Cadillacs in his lifetime (many of which went to his family and friends), he would eventually add a 1960 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud, a 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL, a 1973 Stutz Blackhawk, a 1975 Ferrari Dino, and several other imported models to his collection. Many of these vehicles are also on display at Graceland.
