Elvis Presley’s battered 1962 Lockheed 1329 Jetstar, which has been parked in the desert for close to 40 years at the Roswell International Air Center in New Mexico, sold at auction last month for $260,000 – on what would have been The King’s 88th birthday. Priscilla Presley was present at the Mecum Kissimmee Collector Car auction in Florida Jan. 8 for the event and spoke to the packed crowd, describing Elvis’ love of collecting cars and planes as a hobby she termed “his joy.” Bidding started at $100,000 and climbed slowly before topping out at its final sale price, placed by an unnamed telephone bidder. Elvis bought the plane on Dec. 22, 1976, for $840,000 and used it — as well as two other jets in his personal fleet — to cart his TCB band, backup groups, Col. Tom Parker and Memphis Mafia on tour to concerts and appearances across the country. The plane seats up to nine on the original red velvet-covered couch and passenger seats that swivel and recline. Wood paneling and gold-finish hardware, including window shades, round out the ’60s vibe of the jet, along with an entertainment center complete with RCA VCR player and cassette player. (Weird question: Who would you consider the “Elvis of today”?)
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