Elvis Presley 1962 Lockheed Jetstar private jet: Elvis's 'lost' jet is being auctioned after 30 years on a runway

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This was published 6 years ago

Elvis Presley 1962 Lockheed Jetstar private jet: Elvis's 'lost' jet is being auctioned after 30 years on a runway

By Mark Haines
Updated
The 1962 Lockheed Jetstar was 'custom made to Elvis's specifications'.

The 1962 Lockheed Jetstar was 'custom made to Elvis's specifications'.Credit: Live Auctioneer

Elvis' private jet being auctioned after 30 years on runway in New Mexico

The 1962 Lockheed Jetstar was "custom made to Elvis's specifications".

It won't fit in a garage, but that likely won't stop Elvis Presley fans from trying to get their hands on one of the largest mementos credited to the King of Rock 'n' Roll: His long "lost" private jet.

The aircraft has been privately owned for more than 35 years.

The aircraft has been privately owned for more than 35 years.Credit: Live Auctioneer

Presley's 1962 red Lockheed JetStar will be sold to the highest bidder on May 27. The starting bid is US$10,000 ($14,400) and it already has one bidder, despite the fact it's missing its engines.

GWS Auctions is orchestrating the action and estimates the plane is worth between $2 million and $3.5 million.

The aircraft has never been restored.

The aircraft has never been restored.

The aircraft has never been restored.Credit: Live Auctioneer

The Web site www.liveauctioneers.com, which is handling the bidding, says the jet has been parked on the tarmac in Roswell, New Mexico, for more that 30 years. "This is the 'lost' jet...(It) was very important to Elvis, as he owned it with his beloved father, Vernon," says the website.

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It is currently owned by a private collector, who was not named. Elvis owned other planes, but this is the only one that is not in the procession of the Graceland estate, says a web site for the auction.

The jet is still in its original condition, and has been privately owned for more than 35 years.

GWS says the interior was personally designed by Elvis, including a gold-tones with woodwork, red shag carpet and red velvet seats. It's one of only 204 such aircraft manufactured between 1957 and 1978, in a private project between JetStar and Lockheed, says GWS.

The jet is one of 315 lots included in an auction of celebrity memorabilia. For details, visit www.TheCelebAuction.com or Liveauctioneers.com.

TNS

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