A rare piece of Elvis Presley’s personal history is about to go under the hammer. The 1962 Lockheed 1329 JetStar — purchased by the King of Rock and Roll in 1976 — will be auctioned in January, giving fans and collectors a chance to own one of the most extravagant symbols of his legendary lifestyle.
The aircraft, known for its distinctive red velvet interior and silver-accented cabin, is currently in need of full restoration. It has no engines, missing cockpit components, and has spent decades stored in an aircraft graveyard in Roswell, New Mexico. Despite its condition, auction organizers believe it represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire a major artifact from Elvis’s final year.
Purchased in the Final Chapter of His Career
Elvis Presley’s Dilapidated Private Jet Sat in the Desert for 40 Years. It Just Sold for $260,000.
In the mid-1970s, Elvis Presley was at the height of his touring life, playing packed arenas across the United States. With a tight performance schedule, private air travel was essential.
According to Mecum Auctions, Presley purchased the JetStar in 1976 for $840,000. The plane joined his small fleet of personal aircraft, which included a custom Convair 880 nicknamed “Lisa Marie” and another JetStar. The planes operated under the call signs “Hound Dog 1” and “Hound Dog 2,” a nod to one of his biggest hits.
Mecum’s listing notes that the JetStar was used to fly Elvis, his TCB (Taking Care of Business) band, backup vocal groups, manager Col. Tom Parker, and his Memphis Mafia entourage to concerts, television appearances, and private engagements nationwide.
A Cabin Designed for Comfort and Style
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Inside, the JetStar’s cabin still holds much of its original 1970s charm. Six plush red velvet seats can swivel and recline, allowing passengers to face each other for conversation or turn toward the windows for privacy. A matching couch runs along one side of the cabin, maintaining the same deep red upholstery.
Original wood veneer paneling lines the walls, giving the interior a warm, retro feel. The silver trim on armrests and panel edges reflects the style of luxury air travel in that era.
Entertainment options for passengers included a built-in television, an audio cassette player, a VCR unit, and headphone ports — state-of-the-art for the time. A microwave and beverage dispenser were also installed for in-flight refreshments.
Preserved Features Despite Decades in Storage
Elvis Presley’s Dilapidated Private Jet Sat in the Desert for 40 Years. It Just Sold for $260,000.
The aircraft has been sitting in Roswell for decades, exposed to the New Mexico sun. Yet several original features remain intact. The lavatory and vanity are preserved. The entertainment cabinet remains in place, as do the seating arrangements and wall paneling.
Buyers will also receive original Aircraft Security Agreement documents bearing Elvis Presley’s signature — a rare collectible in its own right.
Current Condition: A Restoration Project
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While the aircraft’s interior retains its character, its mechanical condition is far from airworthy. The JetStar currently has no engines, and many cockpit controls and gauges are missing. Paint on the exterior shows wear, and parts of the fuselage have visible tears.
Mecum Auctions describes the sale as “an incredible restoration opportunity and a chance to create a unique Elvis exhibit for all the world to enjoy.” The listing suggests the jet could be restored for display at a museum, converted into a static attraction at a resort or venue, or refurbished to reflect Elvis’s personal travel era.
Previous Sales and Auction History