With a new Elvis biopic directed by Baz Luhrmann released in 2022 and one of the King's private jets, a Lockheed 1329 JetStar, back on the market, this past year has seen a peak in interest in the iconic singer's personal means of air transportation. Elvis Presley’s larger-than-life character was matched by the way he traveled.Other than the JetStar currently up for auction, languishing under the scorching New Mexico desert sun, the King of Rock and Rolls also had a Convair 880 and another Lockheed JetStar. Let’s take a look at these two planes of the legendary star and where they are now.

Big spender

Elvis purchased the Convair 880 from Delta Air Lines in April 1975 and named it after his daughter, Lisa Marie. It cost the King $250,000 at the time (≈$1.2 million today). However, refurbishing brought the total cost to more than $600,000 (≈$2.9 million today) and was completed in November of the same year.

The interior was modified with elegant sleeping quarters, a penthouse bedroom with a custom queen size bed, an executive bathroom with gold taps, and a gold washbasin. It even had a videotape system linked to four televisions and a stereo system with 52 speakers.

The Pride of Elvis Presley Airways

The plane could carry a maximum of 29 people, and Elvis could even make use of a conference room on board the aircraft. Moreover, his ex-wife, Priscilla Presley, also had an input on the interior design of the plane. According to dedicated fan site, Elvis Australia,

“The plane was in a hangar at Meacham Field in Fort Worth, and for months Elvis took great pleasure in flying friends out to check on progress as the interior of the plane was refurbished to his very specific design requirements (he bought another plane to make those trips - a smaller Lockheed JetStar). Elvis wanted a seating area, a conference room, and a private bedroom on the plane (with space for an in-flight reading library).”

Elvis reportedly also picked out fabrics, decided on color schemes, and chose the onboard audiovisual system. He even approved the 24K gold fixtures in the bathrooms and was apparently especially excited about the fact that the same design team had previously customized Air Force One. Elvis also referred to the plane as “The Pride of Elvis Presley Airways” and “My Flying Graceland” as he jetted about the US on tour. You can discover the Lisa Marie in detail in the video below.

While waiting for renovations to be completed on the Lisa Marie, Presley took on a Lockheed JetStar, which cost him approximately $900,000 (≈$4.3 million today) and was nicknamed Hound Dog II.

Here is a look at the specifications of the two planes:

The Lisa Marie

• Crew: three
• Capacity: 28
• Engines: 4 x General Electric CJ-805-3 Pod Mount Jets
• Cruise speed: 615 mph (989 km/h)
• Range: 3,000 miles
• Service Ceiling: 41,000 feet

Hound Dog II

• Crew: two pilots and typically one flight attendant
• Capacity: 8-10 passengers
• Engines: 4 P&W JT12A-6 6A
• Cruise speed: 504 mph (811 km/h)
• Range: 2,995 miles
• Service ceiling: 43,000 ft (13,105 m)

Home in Tennessee

Sadly, Elvis did not get to fly on the two jets for long. He passed away just two years after having acquired them, in 1977, at the age of just 42. According to Rolling Stone, the two planes eventually ended up in the care of OKC Partnership, which agreed in the middle of the 1980s to display the aircraft at Elvis' former home-turned-museum, Graceland, in exchange for a percentage of ticket sales. However, the situation became complicated in April 2014. Elvis Presley Enterprises wrote to OKC asking it to make arrangements to remove the planes by April of the following year.

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Subsequently, Julien’s Auctions, which calls itself the auction house to the stars, announced the opportunity to own Elvis Presley’s private jets. The company said in a statement announcing the auction,

“While Elvis’s jet-setting lifestyle is apparent throughout the “Lisa Marie” jet which he used for his exclusive transportation and private air travel, the last flight the plane took was when it transported Priscilla Presley and Elvis’s good friend George Hamilton from California to his funeral. In 1984 the “Lisa Marie” made a ceremonious entrance to Graceland where it became part of the popular attraction.”

“Millions of fans and tourists have toured both of the aircraft over the past thirty years. Elvis’ father, Vernon, sold the plane in 1978 and it changed hands twice but was purchased by present owners who formed a joint venture with Graceland’s owners to return it back home to Graceland."

In Memphis for good?

However, there was a twist of fate for the two planes. At the end of April 2015, Graceland shared that it was pleased to announce that an agreement had been reached for the Lisa Marie and Hound Dog II to remain at Elvis Presley’s famous home in Memphis permanently.

Elvis' daughter, Lisa Marie, also confirmed the happy update by broadcasting her joy on Twitter. Notably, she shared that they will stay at Graceland forever.

So, the two jets of one of the biggest musicians of all time look to remain at his Tennessee home. Undoubtedly, many Elvis and aviation enthusiasts will be keen to see the planes for themselves.

Presley wasn't the only entertainment legend of the 20th century to tour in a lavish jet. Rock legends such as Iron Maiden and the Rolling Stones also took the air with their own customized aircraft. However, these planes would end up with a different fate than the Lisa Marie and Hound Dog II - potentially because no one offered up a mansion to house them.

What do you think about 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 comment section.

Source: Elvis Australia, Rolling Stone