Elvis’ Collection Had Some Weird Cars
Elvis Presley was a celebrity famous for his rebellious attitude, smooth-as-silk sound, and in some cases, his relationship with cars. The superstar famously gifted his mother a Cadillac, shot a De Tomaso Pantera, and accidentally burned another Caddy to the ground on the side of the road. Still, not even Elvis himself could resist stocking his collection with some international cars spanning from timelessly fabulous to just plain weird. Here are some of the most noteworthy vehicles in Elvis’ collection.
- 1973 Stutz Blackhawk III
- Ferrari Dino 308 GT4
- Cadillac Deville Wagon
- De Tomaso Pantera
- Messerschmitt KR200
Did Elvis own a Stutz Blackhawk?
Elvis owned an over-the-top 1973 Stutz Blackhawk III. The American land yacht looks as though it drove right off the pages of a comic book. However, the big luxury cruiser is no joke. It was an epically exclusive and expensive car, taking a big luxurious American vehicle and sending it off to Italy for a hand-built body. According to GQ, Elvis liked the Stutz Blackhawk so much that he owned five in total.
Elvis had a Ferrari Dino 308 GT4 in his collection
What celebrity car collection is complete without a Ferrari? The King’s certainly had one: a 1975 Ferrari Dino 308 GT4. Currently on display at Graceland, the 308 GT4 is a benchmark in Ferrari history. Also, with a namesake like Dino, after Enzo’s son, it is undoubtedly iconic.
Even a rockstar collection like Elvis’ needs a station wagon
The flashy, dramatic King of rock n roll had a station wagon: a 1974 Cadillac Deville. The wagon isn’t your everyday grocery-getter, though. According to SlashGear, Cadillac didn’t produce station wagons in 1974. That means that Elvis commissioned the Cadillac Deville wagon as a special build from Cadillac.
Elvis shot his De Tomaso Pantera
In addition to being an awesome car, Elvis’ De Tomaso Pantera has a remarkable story: the King shot it repeatedly. The popular narrative is that Elvis, following a heated argument with his then-girlfriend, attempted to get into the sleek little car and leave in a hurry. Unfortunately, the vehicle didn’t start, and in his frustrated state, Elvis shot the car.
It’s a shame that he shot it, considering how fantastic the Pantera is as a concept. Ford produced the low-slung exotic in an agreement with De Tomaso. This collaboration resulted in an attractive Italian-styled car with a Ford V8 engine, and one of the most unique cars in Elvis’ collection.
What is a Messerschmitt KR200?
The undisputed weirdest car in Elvis’ collection was his Messerschmitt KR200. Glossing over the mile-long moniker, the Messerschmitt looks like something out of the Peel P50 or BMW Isetta collection. Specifically, the KR200 looks like a WWII fighter plane’s cockpit with tiny wheels.
There’s a reason why the microcar appears this way. Messerschmitt was a warplane manufacturer in Germany during the second world war, and the KR200 looks like a stylistic nod to the company’s aviation roots. Also, with its fighter plane-style canopy and tiny stature, the KR200 takes the cake as the oddest vehicle in the King’s collection.
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