Cars Fit For The King Of Rock 'N Roll
Elvis' first love may have been music, but his second was probably cars. He learned to drive when he was just 10 years old and never looked back. Once he'd found musical success in the early 1950s, he began collecting cars that were classy without being outrageous—just like him. Let's explore the extraordinary cars of America's greatest rock n' roller.
Elvis’s Love Affair With Cars
Before rock ’n’ roll exploded, young Elvis Presley already adored cars. He learned to drive by age 10 and bought his first Lincoln in the early 1950s while working as a truck driver. But once his musical career skyrocketed in 1956, his garage became a rolling symbol of his larger‑than‑life persona.
The Pink Cadillac That Started It All
In early 1955, Elvis purchased a 1954 Cadillac Fleetwood Series 60—the first of his iconic pink Cadillacs. Powered by a 365 cu in OHV V8, this 4‑door luxury sedan had about 230 HP and a top speed near 125 MPH. Sadly, it burned in June 1955—forcing him to replace it and amplify his love for pink.
Thomas R Machnitzki, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Fleetwood Series 60 – The Second Pink Caddy
Elvis bought a 1955 Cadillac Fleetwood Series 60 on July 5, 1955, repainted it in his custom “Elvis Rose” pink, and topped it with a white roof. Under the hood sat a 365 cu in V8 with 230 HP and 125 MPH top speed. He gifted it to his mother, Gladys—who never drove it, yet it became his ultimate road statement.
Exploring a Rare 1957 Cadillac Series 62 (Elvis tribute car) by Boyd Coddington !!, Throdle
Cadillac Fleetwood 75 Limousine
In 1960, he purchased a 1960 Cadillac Fleetwood 75 Limousine for touring. That limo featured a robust 6.4 L V8 producing 325 HP and could hit 114 MPH. Customized with 24‑karat gold trim, fur interior, TV, and opera window privacy, it earned the nickname “Solid Gold Car.” Today it resides in Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame.
The Purple 1956 Cadillac Eldorado
Also in 1956, Elvis acquired a white 1956 Cadillac Eldorado and had it repainted bright purple. With a V8 engine and 235 HP, it could reach 118 MPH and was a custom masterpiece. It starred in movies like Spinout and remains on display at Graceland’s Automobile Museum.
Thomas R Machnitzki (thomasmachnitzki.com), Wikimedia Commons
Continental Mark II – The Hand‑Built Flagship
He owned a 1956 Continental Mark II, Ford’s ultra‑luxury flagship. Its Y‑block V8 engine paired with a Turbodrive 3‑speed automatic offered refined comfort and exclusivity. Though exact HP and speed vary, this handmade marvel cemented Elvis’s taste for bespoke luxury.
Thomas R Machnitzki, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Messerschmitt KR200 – The Quirky Bubble Car
Elvis even had an eccentric Messerschmitt KR200 microcar from 1956. Powered by a tiny engine and three wheels, it was more whimsy than horsepower—it stood out in stark contrast to his full‑sized tour fleet.
Stefan Kühn, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
BMW 507 In Germany
While stationed in West Germany in 1958, Elvis leased a white BMW 507, initially belonging to Hans Stuck. He later leased again and brought a red 507 to America, featuring a lightweight V8 and an automatic gearbox—making it one of the rarest cars in his garage.
David Merrett from Daventry, England, Wikimedia Commons
Lincoln Continental Mark V On Tour
During his Army days (circa 1960), Elvis owned a Lincoln Continental Mark V. It featured dual‑zone A/C and privacy glass—perfect for his military chauffeur. Though exact engine specs aren’t cited, these were big‑block V8s pushing roughly 300–350 HP.
1962 Ford Thunderbird Roadster
In 1962 he snapped up a cherry‑red Ford Thunderbird with wire wheels. Its 8‑cylinder engine delivered approximately 300 HP, hitting a top speed of over 100 MPH—a sporty contrast to his usual luxury rides.
dave_7 from Lethbridge, Canada, Wikimedia Commons
1963 Rolls‑Royce Phantom V
Elvis’s first Rolls‑Royce arrived in 1963—an opulent Phantom V limousine. It had a 6.2L V8 that produced 200HP and a top speed of 100 MPH. It came loaded with a telephone, electric windows, A/C, and more—an unmatched statement in automotive prestige.
Elvis Presley's 1963 Rolls-Royce Phantom V Touring Limousine, Beth Frank @farbav
Mercedes‑Benz 600 – Double Luxury
By the 1970s Elvis owned two 1970 Mercedes‑Benz 600s. With a 6.3 L V8 that produced 250HP and delivered a top speed of 127MPH. It came with air suspension and power everything, epitomizing discreet ostentation—one at Graceland, the other in Los Angeles.
1971 Mercedes-Benz 600 'Six-Door' Pullman Landaulet at Supercar Sunday, Supercar Sunday
1967 Cadillac Coupe De Ville “Honeymoon Cadillac”
On Sept 15, 1967, Elvis acquired a red Cadillac Coupe De Ville, dubbed the “Honeymoon Cadillac.” While specs aren’t widely published, this Caddy would’ve featured a big‑block V8 (340–375 HP) with a top speed near 120 mph.
retromotors.ru, Wikimedia Commons
Stutz Blackhawk – A First In America
On October 9, 1970, he bought the second‐prototype Stutz Blackhawk for $26,500. Its 5.0–5.7 L V8 delivered up to 400 HP—some variants topped 432 HP—with a top speed near 130 mph. He even added a mobile phone in 1971 and ordered several more.
Thomas R Machnitzki (thomasmachnitzki.com), Wikimedia Commons
1973 Fleetwood Brougham – More Cadillac Grandeur
Elvis also owned a 1973 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham. With its luxurious features and strong V8 performance, it reflected his unwavering loyalty to Cadillac luxury, though detailed specs remain elusive.
Lothar Spurzem, Wikimedia Commons
1976 De Ville Wagon – The Long Road Trip
In December 1976, Elvis drove his ultra‑rare Cadillac De Ville wagon 1,500 miles from Vegas to Memphis. Powered by a big-block V8, it combined practical utility and classic Cadillac comfort—his last significant road trip before he passed.
Imagine Buying Elvis Presley's Cadillac On Craigslist! | RIDICULOUS RIDES, Ridiculous Rides
Final Ride – The 1977 Cadillac Eldorado
One of his last purchases, in April 1977, was a 1977 Cadillac Eldorado. That Eldorado had a 425 cu in V8 making roughly 180 HP, with a top speed near 114 mph. It’s preserved as a time capsule of his final months.
Last Known Car – 1977 Cadillac Seville
Just before his death, in June 1977, Elvis bought a Cadillac Seville. Its V8 produced 235 HP and could accelerate 0–60 in 8 seconds—impressive for the era. A CB radio was customized for him, and it recently surfaced at auction.
kitmasterbloke, Wikimedia Commons
Gifting Over 200 Cadillacs
Not just a collector, Elvis famously gave away over 200 Cadillacs during his lifetime. He loved gifting them to friends, family, band members—even convenience-store staff—spreading the Cadillac legend everywhere.
Thomas R Machnitzki (thomasmachnitzki.com), Wikimedia Commons
How Elvis Defined Cool On Wheels
From the 1954 pink Fleetwood that caught fire to the final Seville in 1977, Elvis’s Cadillac fleet was more than vehicles—it was rock ’n’ roll glam on wheels. With V8 roars, flashy paint, and luxe accouterments, he helped define cool—driving not just music history, but motor culture forever.
Thomas R Machnitzki (thomasmachnitzki.com), Wikimedia Commons
Elvis Moment Of Madness Damages Rare Car
The DeTomaso Pantera may not be a name you're familiar with, that's because it's an ultra-rare American-made sports car. Only owned by the Hollywood elite of the 1950s and 1960s, Elvis Presley's own DeTomaso Pantera was severely damaged when the young star couldn't get the car to start one day, so he fired at it in a moment of madness. This caused significant damage to one of the rarest cars ever to come out of the United States, and cost the King a pretty penny.
User AJB83 on en.wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons
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