Elvis Presley’s Private Jet Fetches Just $260K From Auction

Elvis Presley is still regarded as one of the most influential musicians to have ever graced the stage. Every teenager has definitely gone through the ‘Rock and Roll’ phase when they worshiped rock icons such as Kurt Cobain, Elvis Presley, Jimi Hendrix, and Steve Vai. Elvis Presley’s iconic private jet, complete with original red velvet seats, recently got sold at auction.

According to Toofab, the 1962 Lockheed 1329 JetStar was auctioned off at the Mecum Kissimmee Collector Car auction in Florida. The private jet hit the auction block on Sunday, which also happened to be Elvis’ 88th birthday. Priscilla Presley, the King’s former wife, helped nudge the auction along, but even she couldn’t help improve the numbers.

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.

The jet would be a restoration project for the new owner because the engine and much of the instrumentation had been removed a long time ago. The 61-year-old ship has been accumulating dust and being exposed to the elements in the desert for nearly four decades, parked at the Roswell International Air Center in Roswell, New Mexico.

The winning price was $260K, a long cry from the $430K ($498K with fees) spent for the jet at auction only five years prior by the current owner, Jim Gagliardi. Meanwhile, the King reportedly purchased the JetStar in 1976 for $840K, which is equivalent to $4.4 million in today’s money. Keep an eye on Thirsty for more.

What’s your take on this? Let us know in the comments.