Elvis Presley’s Car Collection was Out of this World

Rising from humble beginnings to a global icon, Elvis Presley revolutionized music, film, and pop culture. His passion for automobiles was just as grand.
The Elvis Presley car collection was as legendary as the King of Rock and Roll himself. He bought and sold over 200 cars, yet at his passing, fewer than 10 remained. His collection featured Cadillacs, Rolls-Royces, and rare gems like the De Tomaso Pantera, famously tied to a shooting incident. Known for his generosity, he often gifted Cadillacs to friends and fans.

Take a closer look at the iconic cars that defined his legacy and the stories behind them.

5. 1975 Ferrari Dino 308 GT4

Elvis Presley named his 1975 Ferrari Dino 308 GT4 “Black Mamba,” according to Ginger Alden. He purchased the black Ferrari second-hand in October 1976 for $20,583, which equates to over $125,000 in 2024. 

Interestingly, Elvis Presley’s close friend, Clint Eastwood, also owned a 1978 Ferrari 308 GT4, showcasing their shared admiration for classic Italian automobiles.

4. 1973 Stutz Blackhawk III

The Stutz was an iconic American brand and given the ‘’America The Beautiful'' singer’s love and patriotism for his country, it is no wonder that he had multiple cars from them. The Blackhawk III was probably the best among them and came with Pontiac’s V8 engine. 

The original price of the vehicle was around $26,500 but Elvis got it for just below $30,000 meaning he went for some upgrades.

3. 1962 Ford Thunderbird

It was Ernie Barrasso, Elvis Presley's childhood neighbor friend who convinced him to buy the Ford Thunderbird which was limited to only 200 units in the US. 

However, Elvis wasn't interested in the car until he saw its brochure. He then rushed to Barrasso's dealership and bought the car. 

Presley’s Thunderbird featured a Cherry Red exterior with a black interior. He loved its elegant wire wheel covers, but when replacements became unavailable, The Ed Sullivan Show (1956) performer sought help from former Ford President Edsel Ford, who could only offer a refund.

2. 1960 Cadillac Fleetwood 75 Limousine

The 1960 Cadillac Fleetwood 75 Limousine was one of the favorite cars in Elvis Presley's car collection. The famous Cadillac is currently on display at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville. 

This 1960 Cadillac Fleetwood, known as the "Solid Gold Car" or "Golden Cadillac," earned its name from its 24-karat gold accents, as reported by Montecristo magazine.

Elvis spent $65,000 at Barris Kustom City to customize his 1960 Cadillac with 40 layers of “Diamond Dust Pearl” paint, infused with crushed diamonds and fish scales. Inside, it had a fur-lined interior, TV, sound system, and a privacy rear opera window, per Volvo Cars Museum.

1.  1942 Lincoln Zephyr

Elvis' garage had a 1952 Lincoln Zephyr, a continuation of the Zephyr model line that had been introduced in 1936. Reportedly, the 1942 Zephyr was the first car Elvis ever owned. It was partly a gift from his father Vernon Presley on his 18th birthday.

According to Tapatalk, Elvis Presley and his friend Luther Nall found a green 1942 Lincoln Zephyr coupe in a junkyard for $50. With only $30, Elvis's parents covered the remaining $20, securing his first major purchase.

Honorable Mentions

At the time of his death, Elvis has a meagre number of cars in his garage. Most of the cars from the Elvis Presley car collection had been sold by home on various occasions. Here are some of the notable cars he parted with.

1970 Mercedes-Benz 600 Saloon Limousine

Elvis bought not one but two 1970 Mercedes-Benz 600s within a few months after he returned for the ‘Comeback Special’ TV show. Basically, he acquired the cars when he was building his career in the showbiz, according to Bonhams. 

After Elvis’s passing, the light blue 1970 Mercedes-Benz 600 Saloon Limousine remained with its original dealership, Robertson Motors, where he had purchased it. Years later, the luxury sedan was auctioned by Bonhams, fetching nearly $104,279.

1963 Rolls-Royce Phantom V

Viva Las Vegas actor purchased the Phantom in 1963 after securing a deal with one of America’s top film producers. Enthralled by Rolls-Royce, he opted for nearly every customization available, including a Blaupunkt Köln radio, textphone, electric windows, a microphone, and air conditioning.

Originally priced at $15,655, the car underwent multiple modifications and at least four repaints, making the total cost unknown. In 2014, Bonhams auctioned Elvis Presley’s 1963 Rolls-Royce Phantom V Touring Limousine for $396,000.

1977 Cadillac Seville 

The Cadillac Seville was the last model from Cadillac that Elvis bought. It was 1977 when he found his eyes prying on the luxury sedan in burgundy and silver. 

Elvis bought his last Cadillac for about $12,479. The car was on display at the National Motor Museum UK. However, in 2024, it has been sold by Mecum auctions for $86,000.

1960 Lincoln Continental Mark V Limousine 

Elvis bought the Lincoln Continental Mark V Limousine on 29th February 1960 at a Whitehaven dealership in Tennessee. It was a gift for his ex-fiancee fiancée Ginger Alden. 

It has been through some auctions and has been on display Elvis Presley Museum in Memphis, Tennessee. One of the latest sellers has been RM Sothbey's which accepted a final bid of $121,000. 

1971 DeTomaso Pantera

Elvis Presley’s 1971 DeTomaso Pantera, purchased for around $2,500, remains a legendary piece of rock ‘n’ roll and automotive history. Frustrated when the car wouldn’t start, the You’ll Never Walk Alone singer fired his revolver at the steering wheel, shattering the windshield. 

The bullet-riddled Pantera became one of the most infamous Elvis memorabilia items. He sold the car around 1976, and it has since passed through multiple owners, even being traded for precious gems valued at $2 million.

1958 BMW 507

During his military service in Germany, Elvis Presley purchased a 1958 BMW 507, a sleek roadster that highlighted his growing appreciation for European automotive design. Originally finished in Feather White, the car quickly became covered in lipstick messages from enthusiastic fans. To avoid constant cleaning, Elvis had it repainted in a striking red.

Decades later, the car was restored by BMW Group Classic and unveiled at Pebble Beach Concours in 2016. Now, it's valued at over $2 million.

1956 Cadillac Eldorado

The Eldorado was one of his first Cadillacs and he bought it in the year 1956. You can call this a gift to himself after his first Billboard No.1 that year. The convertible was originally white but he decided to wrap it in a color of grapes that he was having at that time. 

A year later, due to reliability issues, Elvis sold the car to Memphis fan Lena Moskovit. In 1976, the purple 1956 Eldorado was auctioned for just $976 due to its poor condition. Today, it is preserved and displayed at the Graceland Elvis Automotive Museum in Memphis, Tennessee.

1971 Stutz Blackhawk

Elvis Presley owned a 1971 Stutz Blackhawk, one of the earliest to do so with him owning the production model itself. Many iconic figures, including Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, and Dean Martin, owned the renowned Stutz Blackhawk. 

The ‘’Jailhouse Rock'' singer’s 1971 Stutz Blackhawk was auctioned by Mecum for $297,000, ranking among the most expensive Elvis-owned cars ever sold.

1967 Lincoln Continental Lehmann-Peterson Limousine

Be it the music notes on his guitar strings or a dusty old Lincoln Executive Limousine, anything Elvis touched gained immense value. 

The 1967 Lincoln Continental Lehmann-Peterson Limousine, famously known as the Presley Family Car, was a wedding gift to his ex-wife Priscilla Presley. In 2019, Mecum auctioned it for $165,000, further solidifying its place in Elvis’s legendary history.

1956 Messerschmitt KR200

Elvis had an unusual car in his garage, the 1956 Messerschmitt KR200. The KR200 had an unusual layout that included a front-seated driver and a single passenger seated behind in a tandem seating arrangement. 

Whether he purchased it or received it as a gift remains unclear. According to The Truth About Cars, Presley parted with the bubble-canopy vehicle about a year after being photographed with it in 1956. By August 1957, he had gifted it to Bernard Lansky, a well-known Memphis clothier.

Elvis Presley's Other Cars 

1948 Chevrolet Fleetmaster Panel Wagon

This 1948 Chevrolet Panel Truck was a practical addition to Elvis's early collection, serving both utility and sentimental value. Interestingly, this vintage automobile was discovered years later, tucked away in a Graceland warehouse, highlighting its role in Elvis’s effort to maintain some normalcy amid his growing fame. 

The truck’s rediscovery offers a glimpse into the private side of Elvis’s life, showcasing his desire for simplicity and anonymity during his meteoric rise.

1961 Dodge Dart Phoenix

Elvis’s generosity is well-documented, and the 1961 Dodge Dart Phoenix is a testament to his giving nature. He gifted this car to his personal cook at Graceland as a gesture of appreciation. This act reflects Elvis’s down-to-earth personality and his tendency to share his success with those around him. 

Photographs of the car parked at Graceland serve as a reminder of his kind-heartedness and the close-knit relationships he maintained with his staff.

1956 Lincoln Continental Mark II

Elvis Presley's 1956 Continental Mark II was acquired after fans covered his previous car, a Lincoln Premier, in lipstick during a visit to Miami. Upgrading to this exclusive model, which was one of America's priciest cars at nearly $10,000, Elvis embraced luxury. More than just transportation, this car was central to his persona, notably used during the filming of "King Creole" in New Orleans. Reflecting his belief that "Life is too short to drive boring cars," the Mark II perfectly captured his style.

1956 Lincoln Premiere Hardtop Coupe 

In July 1956, after returning from Biloxi, MS, Elvis swapped his yellow ’54 Cadillac for a striking lavender 1956 Lincoln Premiere coupe. As his fame soared, so did his taste for luxury. 

With its bold design and sleek presence, the Premiere became a symbol of his success and growing affinity for high-end American automobiles.

1963 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III

Another Rolls-Royce in Elvis's collection, the Silver Cloud III, exemplified his refined taste. According to Variety, Elvis customized this car with a sky-blue paint job and an opulent interior, featuring a bar, record player, and microphone for singing practice.

The Silver Cloud III blended British luxury with American celebrity culture, serving as a mobile stage for Elvis's lifestyle. Variety details how this car wasn't just transport but an extension of Elvis's rock 'n' roll identity.

1966 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud

Elvis’s love for Rolls-Royce continued with his 1966 Silver Cloud, a model that exuded class and sophistication. He often drove this car around Memphis, using it for both personal and professional outings.

The Rolls-Royce reflected his evolving tastes as he transitioned into the later years of his career, favoring vehicles that balanced performance with ultimate luxury.

1968 Cadillac Eldorado Coupe

The 1967 Cadillac Fleetwood Eldorado Coupe was more than just a car—it was a piece of Elvis Presley’s larger-than-life legacy. Known for his love of Cadillacs, Elvis not only owned but frequently drove this American classic. 

A lasting mark of his fiery temperament remains—a bullet hole in the right fender, a reminder of the moment he shot the car in frustration when it refused to start.

1973 Cadillac Eldorado Coupe

This Eldorado Coupe was another testament to Elvis’s unwavering love for Cadillacs. As one of the last truly massive American luxury cars, the 1973 Eldorado featured a plush interior, and just like Elvis, this car was  ahead of it times.

It was a perfect fit for Elvis’s larger-than-life image, embodying his love for power and comfort in an American automobile.

1975 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham

One of the last cars Elvis purchased, the 1975 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham was a staple of his daily life. He frequently drove it around Memphis and Graceland, drawn to its spacious interior and luxury features.

This model embodied Cadillac’s pinnacle of 1970s luxury, perfectly suiting Elvis’s taste for comfort and style. A reflection of his larger-than-life persona, it remains a symbol of the opulence he embraced as the King of Rock 'n' Roll.

1977 Cadillac Seville

In April 1977, Elvis purchased a two-tone burgundy and silver Cadillac Seville, the last Cadillac he ever bought. On August 15, 1977, he was photographed driving it out of Graceland, making it the last car he ever drove. Equipped with a CB radio, he often used it to call ahead for the gates to be opened.

After his passing, the Seville was transferred to Ginger Alden and later became part of various collections, including the Elvis Presley Museum. It has since been displayed at the National Motor Museum and auctioned with verified documentation.

1977 Cadillac Eldorado

Elvis's affinity for Cadillacs extended to the 1977 Eldorado, a model that epitomized American luxury of the era.Finished in a striking metallic blue, this Eldorado featured a plush interior and the powerful performance characteristic of the model.

Elvis used this car during the final months of his life, and it remains a testament to his enduring love for the Cadillac brand. The vehicle has been preserved as a time capsule, with minimal mileage, reflecting Elvis's penchant for acquiring and cherishing automobiles that resonated with his sense of style and comfort.

1977 Cadillac Miller-Meteor Hearse

Adding another Cadillac to the legendary singer's collection was hardly surprising—after all, he owned around 200 Cadillacs in his lifetime. 

In a 2020 article, GQ British Magazine highlighted this obsession, even noting that his final ride was in a white Cadillac. As fans, we can only wish for more details about his deep love for this iconic American brand, which has shaped automotive history for over a century. 

That wraps up our exploration of the iconic car collection of the legendary American actor and singer, Elvis Presley. To discover the car collections of other legendary figures, click on the following links.

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