Elvis Presley’s private jet, complete with plush red velvet seats, carpeted walls, microwave and retro styling has been sold at auction.
Once owned by a company from Saudi Arabia and previously listed on UAE selling site Dubizzle, the Elvis jet was sold off in Florida on what would have been the so-called King of Rock and Roll’s 88th birthday.
Elvis Presley’s ex-wife Priscilla Presley attended the sale and saw the Lockheed 1329 JetStar plane sell for $260,000.
Elvis Presley’s jet sold
“Elvis loved planes and this was one of them. This is my first auction and I’m excited to be here. Today would be Elvis’ 88th birthday,” she told the audience and bidders.
Bidding for the plane began at $100,000 before it was eventually snapped up for $286,000 (after fees and taxes).
It will be a disappointing return for previous owner, US businessman Jim Gagliardi of California, who paid $498,000 for it in 2017.
The King bought the jet in 1976 for $840,00.
Lockheed jets were seen as the private planes of the stars in the 1970s and Elvis Presley had a fleet of planes. He tragically died less than a year after buying the plane.
That has not stopped it from having a colourful ownership history.
It was sold on in 1977 and ended up with a company from Saudi Arabia, before landing in Roswell, the New Mexico town said to be the UFO capital of the world.
It later turned up on UAE classified advertising website Dubizzle with a starting selling price of AED375,000.
Before selling the plane, auctioneers Mecum Auctions said: “This JetStar is one of several private jets owned by Elvis Presley, with two currently on display at Graceland.
“Inside, the cabin features wood panelling and red velvet upholstery with gold-finish hardware. There’s seating for nine by way of six plush chairs that swivel and recline, along with a couch.
“An onboard entertainment system is tucked away in a media cabinet, featuring a television, RCA VCR player and audio cassette player, and headphone ports with audio controls are located at every seat.
“A galley contains storage and a meal-prep area complete with a Kenmore microwave and beverage dispenser. At the rear is a lavatory along with additional storage and cubby areas.
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