Elvis Presley was more than a music icon. Beyond the swiveling hips, unforgettable voice, and legendary songs, he was a cultural phenomenon. His influence touched fashion, food, and even lifestyle aspirations. While fans recall blue suede shoes, sequined jumpsuits, and his famous peanut butter, bacon, and banana sandwiches, few realize Elvis also had a flair for design. One striking example was his personal airplane.
In 1962, at the peak of his fame, Elvis purchased a Lockheed JetStar and had it lavishly customized. This wasn’t just a plane—it was a flying reflection of his personality. Step inside, and the cabin’s rich red velvet seats, hardwood paneling, and plush carpeting evoke the King entertaining friends or humming before a performance. The JetStar was a mobile lounge, extravagant and unapologetic, just like Elvis himself.
After his death in 1977, the plane sat in Roswell, New Mexico, gathering dust. Fans stopped on road trips just to glimpse the relic, faded paint and all. Its history, combined with its quirky charm, made it a desert-era shrine to the King.
Recently, the JetStar resurfaced at the Mecum Kissimmee Collector Vehicle Auction in Florida, selling for $260,000 to an anonymous Elvis enthusiast. For the new owner, it wasn’t just a plane—it was a piece of rock ‘n’ roll history, a snapshot of a man who reshaped popular culture.
Even decades later, the interior retains Elvis’s vision of comfort and style. Crimson velvet seats, arranged for conversation, polished wood-paneled walls, and an early 1960s television created a private lounge in the sky. A small galley allowed for snacks or light meals, and one can easily imagine Elvis preparing a late-night sandwich mid-flight.
And then there’s the bathroom: larger and more stylish than expected on a private jet, with velvet-trimmed details and a touch of luxury in every corner. The JetStar wasn’t just transportation; it was a statement of living life on an extravagant scale.
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