The cars of Graceland: A look at Elvis' king size car collection

Fans of both the King’s music and cars flock to see the impressive collection for themselves at Graceland with the Elvis Presley Automobile Museum first opening on June 12, 1989. Now in its 34th year, this collection features over 20 cars owned by the King.

The collection includes his famous Pink Cadillac, Harley-Davidson motorcycles, a Stutz Blackhawk, a 1975 Dino Ferrari, a 1956 Cadillac Eldorado convertible, and even the red MG from the film Blue Hawaii. And it’s not just his own personal cars on display, with some of Elvis’ favourite motorised toys, including a go-cart, dune buggy, motorized three-wheelers, and a pedal car also in the museum.

Although he made a name for himself with Jailhouse Rock, Elvis was also a motoring enthusiast right from the start, with his mother once confirming he had learnt to drive at no more than 10 years old. Hitting the big time on the music scene gave him the opportunity to make his dream car collection a reality.

By 1955 he'd bought his first Cadillac, a brand he would continue to be particularly fond of for himself and his closest friends and family, allegedly giving away over 200 Cadillacs during his career! Here are eight iconic cars from Elvis personal car collection.

This car has a unique story behind it, with the first pink Cadillac Elvis ever bought a 1954 Fleetwood Series 60. This car would transport his band as they toured the South, however, it met an early demise after the brake lining caught fire, destroying the car, and leaving a devastated Elvis in the aftermath.

Loving the car so much, and wanting to recreate his first Cadillac, he purchased a 1955 Fleetwood 60 in blue and had it repainted in the iconic pink colour! The famous shade of pink was named “Elvis Rose” by his neighbour whom he had asked to repaint the Cadillac from its original blue body and black roof design. Elvis added the white roof in 1956.

Another famous Elvis car, the 1956 Cadillac Eldorado was a stunning purple vehicle. The King had originally bought the car in Texas and had driven it back to his home in Memphis.

Again, wanting to create a more bespoke car, the Eldorado was originally white but would soon end up being transformed to a bright, shiny purple thanks to a customised paint job. This Cadillac is on display at Graceland's Auto Museum.

Eldorados were some of the most expensive cars sold by Cadillac during this time, and it’s not surprising Elvis wanted to give it its own unique touch. It featured a convertible top, slender tailfins, and a 4-speed Hydra-Matic transmission.

Ribbed chrome saddle moulding and twin hood ornaments make the car stand out even more. Elvis wasn’t a subtle guy.

A new decade, but the love Elvis had for Cadillacs ran deep, purchasing this Cadillac limousine for touring in 1960.

Once again, it was customised and turned white with luxe gold accents. On the inside, the car was decked out with a fur interior, a TV, and a sound system. Only the best for the King of Rock 'n' Roll.

It also had a special rear opera window for privacy. Elvis and his band would tour in this car for several years.

Elvis’ 1962 Thunderbird was a sleek, eye-catching car and was suggested to Elvis by his childhood neighbour and friend Ernie Barrasso. Barrasso is on the record saying he went to Graceland three times to get Elvis to check out the car and once he saw the brochure, he drove down to the dealership and bought the Thunderbird on the spot.

The bright cherry red T-bird had a sophisticated black interior and featured unique wire wheel covers, something Elvis was particularly drawn to. However, as the car was being driven to Hollywood, these wires came loose, and the drivers had the covers replaced with ordinary ones since the wire manufacturer had gone out of business.

Not satisfied with that, Elvis allegedly called Detroit and was told by Edsel Ford that he could return the car and get his money back! Not a bad deal at all.

In 1963, a Rolls-Royce Phantom V was a top-of-the-line luxury vehicle and the most expensive limousine at the time, and you guessed it, Elvis wanted it customised. While this model was Elvis' first Rolls-Royce, it wouldn't be his last.

Elvis had a telephone, electric windows, a Blaupunkt Köln radio, a microphone, air conditioning, and Firestone white-wall tyres added. The car also came with a special armrest that held a clothes brush, writing pad and mirror.

It also even contained a cabinet with glasses and a decanter for on-the-go drinks!

This vehicle was one of his most prized cars in the collection, and allegedly Elvis was the first person to ever own a Stutz Blackhawk. Elvis received his model in 1970, the second prototype produced after Frank Sinatra turned it down.

Like the cars that came before this, the Stutz Blackhawk was customized after purchase, it had a telephone installed and included a luxe red interior with 18-karat gold-plated trim. Elvis drove it frequently and was photographed in it on the day of his death.

The 1974 Deville Station Wagon is another uniquely Elvis car. Once again, the King couldn't resist ordering a one-of-a-kind Cadillac for his growing collection and true to his tastes, Elvis had the car painted white with a pink pinstripe on the side and a vinyl top.

When Elvis purchased this car he also bought four others and gave them away. After Elvis' death, it was sold and disappeared from public view. It would resurface three decades later and is now on display at the Volo Museum in Illinois.

One more Cadillac in Elvis' collection, the 1977 Seville was uniquely two-toned, featuring a burgundy and silver exterior with a white leather interior. Elvis once again had customisations to the Seville, including having a CB radio installed so he could communicate with Graceland staff as he was coming and going from the impressive estate.

While not quite as sleek and controversially smaller compared to other Cadillacs, it featured wire wheel covers and a classic square body that makes it a truly unique car to this day.

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