A rare piece of Elvis Presley’s personal history is about to go under the hammer. The 1962 Lockheed 1329 JetStar — purchased by the King of Rock and Roll in 1976 — will be auctioned in January, giving fans and collectors a chance to own one of the most extravagant symbols of his legendary lifestyle.
The aircraft, known for its distinctive red velvet interior and silver-accented cabin, is currently in need of full restoration. It has no engines, missing cockpit components, and has spent decades stored in an aircraft graveyard in Roswell, New Mexico. Despite its condition, auction organizers believe it represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire a major artifact from Elvis’s final year.
Purchased in the Final Chapter of His Career
Elvis Presley’s Dilapidated Private Jet Sat in the Desert for 40 Years. It Just Sold for $260,000.
In the mid-1970s, Elvis Presley was at the height of his touring life, playing packed arenas across the United States. With a tight performance schedule, private air travel was essential.
According to Mecum Auctions, Presley purchased the JetStar in 1976 for $840,000. The plane joined his small fleet of personal aircraft, which included a custom Convair 880 nicknamed “Lisa Marie” and another JetStar. The planes operated under the call signs “Hound Dog 1” and “Hound Dog 2,” a nod to one of his biggest hits.
Mecum’s listing notes that the JetStar was used to fly Elvis, his TCB (Taking Care of Business) band, backup vocal groups, manager Col. Tom Parker, and his Memphis Mafia entourage to concerts, television appearances, and private engagements nationwide.
A Cabin Designed for Comfort and Style