Elvis Presley’s larger-than-life character matched the way he traveled. His choice of air transport included two private jets contracted in 1975 in the form of a Convair 880 and Lockheed JetStar. Let’s take a look at these two plans by the legendary rock and roll star.
Big Spender
The Convair 880 went by the name of Lisa Marie, in honor of Presley’s daughter. It was purchased from Delta Air Lines for $ 250,000 (≈ $ 1.2 million today) in April 1975. However, the renovation brought the total cost to more than $ 600,000 (≈ $ 2.9 million today). The musician then jumped into the sky on the plane in November of that year.
The interior has been modified with elegant bedrooms, a penthouse room with a custom queen size bed, an executive bathroom with golden taps and a golden sink. It even had a VCR system connected to four televisions and a stereo with 52 speakers.
Flying in style
Presley could even make use of the conference room on board the aircraft. In addition, his ex-wife also collaborated in the interior design of the plane.
“The plane was in a hangar at Meacham Field in Fort Worth, and for months Elvis took great pleasure in taking friends to check on progress as the interior of the plane was refurbished to his very specific design requirements (he bought another plane to make these trips – a smaller Lockheed JetStar). Elvis wanted a seating area, a conference room and a private room on the plane (with space for a reading library during the flight), ” Elvis Australia shares.
“He chose the fabrics, decided on the color schemes, chose the onboard audiovisual system and even approved the golden fixtures in the bathrooms (he had a lot of aesthetic contribution Priscilla, too). Elvis was especially excited that the same design team had already customized Air Force One. The ship slowly came together as a blend of modern function and Graceland elegance. “
A great selection
Presley took over the Lockheed JetStar, nicknamed Hound Dog II for approximately $ 900,000 (≈ $ 4.3 million today), while waiting for the renovation work on Lisa Marie to be completed. It was not the only unit of its kind that he flew. He also had a 1962 Lockheed JetStar, which he already had with his father,
Here is a look at the specifications of the two planes:
Lisa Marie
- Crew: three
- Capacity: 28
- Engines: 4 x General Electric CJ-805-3 Pod Mount Jets
- Cruising speed: 615 mph (989 km / h)
- Range: 3,000 miles
- Service ceiling: 41,000 feet
Hound Dog II
- Crew: two pilots and usually a flight attendant
- Capacity: 8 to 10 passengers
- Engines: 4 × Garrett TFE731-3 turbofans
- Cruising speed: 504 mph (811 km / h)
- Range: 2,995 miles
- Service ceiling: 43,000 feet (13,105 m)
For the world to see
Presley would not fly on both jets since he passed away just two years later, in 1977, at just 42 years old. According to Rolling Stone, the two planes ended up in the care of OKC Partnership, which agreed in the mid-1980s to display the aircraft in Graceland in exchange for a percentage of ticket sales. However, the situation was complicated in April 2014. Elvis Presley Enterprises wrote to OKC asking him to take steps to remove the planes by April of the following year.
Subsequently, Julien’s Auctions, which calls itself the stars’ auction house, announced the opportunity to own Elvis Presley’s private jets. He was undoubtedly excited to be part of this historic moment.
“While the Elvis jet-set lifestyle is apparent throughout the” Lisa Marie “jet that he used for his exclusive transport and private air travel, the last flight the plane took was when it carried Priscilla Presley and his good friend Elvis, George Hamilton, from California for his funeral. In 1984, “Lisa Marie” made a ceremonial entrance to Graceland, where she became part of the popular attraction, ” Julien’s Auctions shared in a press release seen by Simple Flying.
“Millions of fans and tourists have visited the two aircraft over the past thirty years. Elvis’s father, Vernon, sold the plane in 1978 and he changed hands twice, but it was purchased by current owners who formed a joint venture with Graceland owners to return it back to Graceland. “
Here to stay
However, there was a twist of fate for the two planes. In late April 2015, Graceland shared that he was pleased to announce that an agreement had been reached for Lisa Marie and Hound Dog II to remain permanently at Elvis Presley’s famous home in Memphis.
Lisa Marie also confirmed the update, showing her joy at Twitter. Notably, she shared that they will stay in Graceland forever.
Exciting news: I wanted 2 b to be the first to tell U: The planes will stay on Graceland 4 forever! We own them and have fun plans for them too 🙂
– Lisa Marie Presley (@LisaPresley) April 26, 2015
Thus, the two jets of one of the greatest musicians of all time seek to stay at his home in Tennesee. Without a doubt, many Elvis and aviation enthusiasts will be eager to see the planes for themselves.
Presley was not the only mid-20th century entertainment legend to own a luxury jet. Rock legends like Iron Maiden and Led Zeppelin also flew their own custom planes. However, these planes would end up with a destination other than Lisa Marie and Hound Dog II.
What do you think of the two planes? Have you seen them on your visits to Graceland over the years? Let us know what you think of the aircraft in the comments section.