Can’t help falling in love with this jet
A private jet once owned by Elvis Presley has been auctioned after sitting on a runway in New Mexico for 35 years.
The plane sold for $430,000 (U.S.) on Saturday at a California event featuring celebrity memorabilia, GWS Auctions Inc. said.
The buyer was not disclosed in the sold note posted on the firm’s website, and auctioneer Brigitte Kruse said she could not immediately release information about the buyer or the buyer’s plans for the plane.
The auction house says Elvis designed the interior that has goldtone woodwork, red velvet seats and red shag carpet. But the red 1962 Lockheed Jetstar has no engine and needs a restoration of its cockpit.
The jet was owned by Elvis and his father, Vernon Presley, Liveauctioneers.com says. It had been privately owned for 35 years and sitting on a tarmac in Roswell, N.M.
A previous owner disputed the auction house’s claim the king of rock ‘n’ roll designed its interior. Roy McKay told KOB-TV in Albuquerque he designed the interior himself. McKay said that when he purchased the jet, it had a two-toned grey interior and “kind of looked like a casket.”
But then-GWS spokesperson Carl Carter told The Associated Press the auction house is confident Elvis designed the interior, which photos show has red velvet seats and red shag carpet.