There is no question that Elvis Presley was one of the most beloved singers of all time. The King’s music influenced countless people across the world and continues to do so even today. One of the most recognizable figures in music history, Presley’s life and career were followed by countless fans who wished they could be a part of the excitement that was Elvis Presley.
Sadly, many people never got the chance to share in the good times of Elvis Presley. The king of rock and roll passed away in 1977 and since then, there have been numerous claims that he was still driving a classic car. A lot of people might think that these cars are just sitting in museums or tucked away in private collections. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. There are a number of classic cars that Elvis still drove, and some of them are actually available for public display.
Elvis’ First Car Was A 1939 Ford Deluxe Coupe
Elvis Presley made his debut in a recording studio in Memphis in November 1945 at the age of 18. He started his own recording studio at the age of 21 and became one of the industry’s most successful artists. In the year he began his recording career, he released 33 songs. While most of them didn’t rise to prominence right away, some became instant classics. Among his most popular songs are “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Blue Moon,” “Hound Dog,” and “Jailhouse Rock.”
In January 1953, a few months after his twenty-seventh birthday, Elvis purchased a 1939 Ford Deluxe Coupe and named it the “King Creole.” The vehicle was manufactured in the United States and it had been previously owned by Elvis’s guitar player, Sam Phillips. Elvis reportedly paid $2,400 for the car and it didn’t take him long to realize its potential. He quickly began to work on fixing it up and giving it a more modern appearance. He removed the original dashboard and installed an electric heating system. He also swapped out the back seat and replaced it with an upholstered bench. At one point, Elvis had a custom, two-tone paintjob done on his vehicle. For the first two years, he drove the King Creole around Memphis in parades and celebrations. He even made it the lead singer in a high school talent show when it was restored.
Elvis’ First Roadster Was A 1955 Chevy Bel Air Pickup
Elvis Presley became famous for his amazing vocal range and signature contralto voice. However, the king of rock and roll wasn’t just limited to singing. He also had a huge impact on the way music was recorded and performed. In 1955, Elvis purchased his first roadster and named it the “Black Beauty.” It had been previously owned by a nightclub owner in Memphis named Vernon Shelton. When Shelton passed away in 1960, Elvis inherited the “Black Beauty” and continued to drive it for several years. At one point, he even had it painted in a circus motif.
In 1967, Elvis became the first musician to have his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In April of that year, he purchased a 1955 Chevy Bel Air Pickup and named it his “custom car.” It was essentially a re-creation of the “Black Beauty,” but with a couple of modern touches. One of the most noticeable changes was the addition of gold accents. He also swapped out the back seat for an upholstered bench like the one he had in his “King Creole.” With a little bit of work and elbow grease, Elvis could have made this his main vehicle for several more years, but he eventually sold it to Gene Autry for $10,000. Autry had previously owned it and used it as a daily driver. Today, this particular car is worth approximately $16,000.
Elvis’s Last Classic Was A 1957 Chevy Bel Air
Elvis Presley purchased a 1957 Chevy Bel Air in 1967 and named it the “Goldilocks.” He was quite proud of this car because it was one of the most luxurious vehicles he had ever owned. It was also the last of his classic cars. In October of that year, he passed away. Since then, the “Goldilocks” has been hidden away in a garage and many people have claimed to have seen it. There have been several sightings over the years, but no one has actually produced any evidence that Elvis was still driving the car. In fact, it is quite possible that he gave it up years ago.
It’s sad to see such a rich musical history disappear, but it’s also nice to see the cars that made such a significant impact on his life still around. It’s an important part of Elvis’s legacy and allows fans to have a piece of history. As for what kind of car Elvis was driving at the time of his death, it would appear that it was a 1957 Chevy Bel Air. One of the most reputable and exclusive car museums in the world, the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, California, has 51 photos of Elvis with his 1957 Chevy Bel Air. It also has an important place in automotive history because it was here that Elvis performed one of his greatest hits, “Heartbreak Hotel.” It’s an amazing feat that such a rich history resides in one place, accessible to the public.