Elvis, the King of Rock and Roll's 1962 Lockheed 1329 Jetstar, is going up for auction. It was initially purchased by Elvis Presley on December 22, 1976, for $840,000. However, the aircraft has sat idle in an aircraft boneyard in Roswell, New Mexico, for the last 35 years.

Its bright red interiors is something to see
Photo: Mecum

The eight-seater Lockheed JetStar was one of three aircraft Elvis purchased, with this only being in his possession for a year before he died of a heart attack on August 16, 1977.

Much of the aircrafts cockpit instruments have been removed
Photo: Mecum

The interior is like a step back in time

Even though the airplane has sat idle in the desert for some time, the interior remains intact like a time capsule. The prospective buyer will still enjoy its bright red velvet seats, gold finish hardware, marble bathroom sink, and wood cabin paneling. The auction and contents of the aircraft will also include a Kenmore microwave, cassette deck, and travel television. The aircraft will be sold as is and will require a trailer. It has no engines, and most of its cockpit instruments have been removed.

It would be a labour of love to restore the aircraft
Photo: Mecum

Elvis once owned three aircraft, two now on display at Graceland, leaving this Lockheed JetStar as the only one still privately owned. Most recently, it was sold to a private investor in 2017 for a measly $430,000, much lower than its $2 million estimated valuation.

GWS Auctions last sold the aircraft, which attracted a lot of attention. Brigitte Kruse, the owner of GWS, recognized that the sentimental value would mean that, once restored, it could be a major attraction for Elvis fans. Brigette commented to the Daily Mail at the time:

“It has attracted a lot of tourists in Roswell, and it still has the original woodwork, inlay, red velvet seats and red shag carpet. It has the potential to be fully restored and made the centrepiece of a major exhibit.”

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One of 204

The aircraft was one of 204 built by the Lockheed Corporation, introduced in the late 1950s, and produced into the 1970s. Initially a private project aimed at the United States Air Force (USAF), the Lockheed JetStar was the only aircraft of this type ever produced by the manufacturer. Once dropped as a prototype for the USAF, its design was directed at the business jet market. The aircraft is usually distinguishable by its four engines fixed on the rear of the fuselage.

Elvis, at one time, owned two of the aircraft type, with the second fittingly named Hound Dog II now located at Graceland. The aircraft was quite popular with the rich and famous. Frank Sinatra and US President Richard Nixon once owned their own versions of the aircraft.

Other operators of the aircraft

It is believed that the Lockheed JetStar is no longer in operation. However, at its peak it was in use by the United States Air Force, Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF), Royal Saudi Air Force, Mexican Air Force, and Transport Canada. Civil operators of the type were once Air Algerie, Iraqi Airways, Southern Air Transport, and Eastern Airlines.

Unfortunately, on January 5, 1995, the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force's Lockheed JetStar crashed while attempting an emergency landing, killing all 12 passengers onboard, including Mansour Sattari, commander of the IRIAF.

Sources: Dailymail, Mecum, NZ Herald