After being sold in the late 1970s, the plane would spend the next decades parked in the high desert at the Roswell International Air Center in New Mexico, exposed to the elements, slowly succumbing to rust and deterioration. (Antique Trader)
The aircraft’s condition is, to put it mildly, rough: no engines, missing cockpit instrumentation, faded paint, and worn interior. The plane is no longer airworthy and would require extensive — even monumental — restoration to ever take flight again. (iatanews.com)
🧰 The Jet’s Interior: A Time Capsule of Elvis Luxuries
One of the reasons the jet generated so much interest leading up to its auction is its intact, albeit worn, interior.
Unlike many aircraft that have their interiors stripped before resale, this JetStar still contains some of the custom features associated with the King of Rock & Roll. The cabin boasts:
- Red velvet upholstery — synonymous with Elvis’ flair for style. (Boing Boing)
- Wood paneling and plush red carpeting, reminiscent of a bygone era of VIP travel. (Boing Boing)
- Gold-finish hardware and other design choices befitting a star. (Fox Business)
- Vintage entertainment systems, including a TV, VCR player, and audio connections — a deluxe setup for 1970s jet travel. (Boing Boing)
For fans and aviation enthusiasts alike, stepping inside the old JetStar is like stepping back in time — a visceral connection to Elvis’ life beyond the stage.
🏷️ Auction Time: How Much Did It Sell For?
When the 1962 Lockheed JetStar finally hit the auction block through Mecum Auctions in Kissimmee, Florida, expectations were mixed. Some hoped for a bidding war that might elevate the jet into the millions — befitting a cultural artifact tied to one of the most famous entertainers in history.
The reality was different: it sold for around $286,000 including fees. (Antique Trader)
That figure may seem modest in comparison to what some might expect for Elvis memorabilia — especially something so unique — but several factors impacted its value:
- Its poor condition and lack of flight capability. (iatanews.com)
- The costly restoration project any new owner would face. (HistoryNet)
- Limited practical use as an airplane without removing it from decades of deterioration.
Some argue that as a true historical artifact, the plane’s worth goes beyond its monetary value. Others see it as a restoration challenge that may never return to its former glory in the skies.
🔧 What Happens Next? Restoration, Repurposing, or Museum Piece?
Following the sale, the JetStar’s future took an unexpected turn.
Webb’s plan involves:
- Converting the jet into a luxury road vehicle, making it mobile again in a different sense. (HistoryNet)
- Salvaging metal from wings and other components to create collectible memorabilia. (HistoryNet)
- Funding the project and related causes through merchandise sales, potentially benefiting charities connected to Elvis’ legacy like St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor. (HistoryNet)
This unusual repurposing seeks to blend preservation with functionality — though aviation purists might lament the loss of what could have been a spectacular restoration candidate.
Some restorers and fans had hoped the plane would be preserved as a museum exhibit, showcasing both aviation history and Elvis’ personal life. But the sheer cost and logistical hurdles have made such visions challenging to realize. (iatanews.com)
📜 Why This Jet Captures Our Imagination
So why has this particular airplane attracted such fascination?
🎤 The Elvis Factor
Elvis Presley is more than a musician in the collective memory — he’s an American legend, an enduring symbol of creativity, rebellion, and charisma. Owning something he once owned draws interest not just from aviation buffs, but from pop culture enthusiasts worldwide.
🛩️ A Snapshot of 1970s Luxury Travel
Private jets like the Lockheed JetStar represent a golden era of business jet aviation — a time before ultra-wealthy individuals and corporations dominated private flight. For collectors and historians, this aircraft is a rare glimpse into that era.
🗺️ A Journey Through Time
From active service to decades of abandonment in the New Mexico desert, the jet’s physical journey mirrors the broader story of Elvis’ own posthumous legacy — once shining brightly, then faded, then rediscovered and recontextualized by new generations.
💭 Final Thoughts: More Than Metal and Wings
While the plane may never again soar through the skies as it once did, its story continues to captivate — whether as an RV cruising the countryside, a future museum display, or a topic of fascination for fans around the globe.
Whether you’re an aviation enthusiast, a music historian, or simply someone who appreciates a good story, this auction was one for the ages — a final chapter in the long, winding journey of the King’s private jet.
If you’d like, I can also create visuals or a timeline of the jet’s history to go along with this post!
