Elvis' Love Affair with Cadillac Cars

As most of us know, Elvis had an obsession with Cadillacs. You might even call it a love affair. He bought his first Cadillac in March of 1955; however, it was certainly not to be his last. Throughout the years he bought a number of Cadillac cars both for his own personal use as well as for friends, family and even some complete strangers.

That first Cadillac was a pink and white 1954 model. For about three months he and the Blue Moon Boys used it to travel back and forth between gigs. Unfortunately when a brake lining caught on fire between Texarkana and Hope, Arkansas in June of 1955, the boys found they needed new transportation.
Elvis then purchased a 1954 Fleetwood Limousine before he left to go on tour in March of 1956. Although the car was originally blue in color, he had it painted yellow. When he moved to Graceland the following year, it was used to move all sorts of stock around the grounds of the mansion, including ducks, chickens, peacocks and a turkey. Elvis then purchased his third Cadillac, a 1958 black Cadillac limousine.

Throughout the years Elvis actually purchased, gave away and collected a number of cars. It has been documented that he often gave away a variety of different kinds of cars to friends and even some strangers; however, his 1955 pink and white Cadillac Fleetwood remained his favorite of them all. This was the car he purchased for his mother in the summer of 1955, although it has been reported that she never actually drove the car. It was originally blue in color and Elvis had it repainted by a neighbor. The color was mixed up especially at Elvis’ request and the painter named it Elvis Rose.

Elvis owned quite a number of other Cadillacs throughout the years including a 1960 Series 75 Fleetwood limousine. Although Elvis was said to have only used it occasionally, it certainly sported enough luxury and opulence for any king. Customized, the car has gold plated interior features such as a shoe buffer, phone, entertainment console, refrigertator, swivel TV and tape deck. The exterior featured forty coats of paint that was made from actual diamond and pearl dust. The hubcabs, headlight rims, wheel covers and front grille were plated with 24 kt gold. Gold lame lame drapes had been used to cover the back windows. The car was purchased by RCA, at the behest of Colonel Parker, in 1966 as a promotional tool for $24,000.

Elvis also owned a 1968 Eldorado Coupe, which he purchased toward the end of December in 1967. It has been reported that he used it for a short while for his personal use about the time Lisa Marie was born; however, when the car failed to start one day he shot it in the fender. He reportedly later gave it away to Priscilla’s step-father. For a period of time it was later on display by a Memphis Rock Café in Queensland under a glass enclosure, still sporting the infamous bullet hole.

Elvis also owned a 1972 Cadillac station wagon sporting a cream exterior with black vinyl lop and leather interior. The car had actually originally been a gift from Elvis to Colonel Parker, but Elvis kept borrowing the car so much, the Colonel finally just told

Throughout most of his life Elvis had a love affair with Cadillacs. Perhaps it was only fitting that his last ride was taken in a Cadillac as well. He took his final journey in a white 1977 Landau Cadillac hearse. That hearse was followed by 16 white Cadillac limousines that bore the mourners to the Memphis Cemetery.