A private jet owned by Elvis Presley is set to auction this week, having spent over 35 years hidden away in an aircraft graveyard.
The 1962 Lockheed Jetstar Jet was designed by Elvis himself, and is the only one of his private planes to remain in private hands.
The plane is being offered for sale by GWS Auctions on Saturday May 27, and comes with an estimate of $2.5 – $3.5 million.
The plane was originally sold by Vernon Presley years ago, and according to reports was later acquired by a Polish collector.
However, it has since spent more than three decades sitting on the tarmac in Roswell, New Mexico, in a massive aircraft graveyard where commercial airliners go to die.
Although most of the aircraft that pass through are ripped to pieces and salvaged for scrap, Elvis’ plane remains completely untouched since the last time he flew in it.
The original interiors remain intact, including gold-inlaid woodwork, red velvet seats and a red shag carpet, all of which were personally chosen by Elvis.
“This jet was very important to Elvis as he owned it with his beloved father Vernon,” said the auction house. “[It] has the potential of being fully restored, and placed on exhibit for the world to come see. It could potentially earn its new owner millions of dollars in exhibit, or entry fees as an attraction.”
Presley owned two other private planes during his lifetime: a Convair 880 Jet which he named ‘Lisa Marie’ after his daughter, and another Lockheed JetStar named ‘Hound Dog II’.
In 1984 both these planes were loaned to Graceland by their new owner, where they became highly popular tourist attractions welcoming millions of visitors from around the world.
In 2015 both the aircraft were placed up for sale through Julien’s Auctions, but were later acquired directly by the Presley estate for an undisclosed sum so they could remain at Graceland.
