Thursday, March 19, 2015

Elvis had a 1971 Stutz Blackhawk that is going to auction for the 1st time.

http://www.examiner.com/slideshow/elvis-presley-items-up-for-auction#slide=9



in addition to the Blackhawk, the collection of Elvis cars includes
 a 1955 Cadillac Fleetwood — the famous Pink Cadillac —
a black 1960 Rolls-Royce Phantom,
a white 1966 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud,
a 1975 Ferrari Dino,
 a 1956 Continental Mark II,
a 1969 Mercedes-Benz Pullman Limousine and a 1962 Lincoln Continental.

Julien's Auctions of Beverly Hills May 16 "Music Icons" auction will also be where the tour bus Elvis bought will find a new owner
http://news.yahoo.com/elvis-presley-auction-offer-tour-bus-stutz-blackhawk-160049385.html


The Stutz Blackhawk started life in the United States as a 1969 Pontiac Grand Prix, chosen for the GP's engine placement far back on the frame. It was then shipped to Italy to be converted. Only the engine and transmission were kept as the body was stripped away and a new body and coach work added - by hand - not machine, to transform the car into a Stutz Blackhawk.

The interior of the Stutz was very luxurious. The floor coverings were made of Australian lambs wool. Twenty four karat gold plates the bezels and moldings. Only the finest European leather covered the seats, and was used on the dash. The dash also consisted of beautiful English burl. The Stutz went through a six week long process with twenty-two coats of individually hand rubbed lacquer paint.

This second Stutz Blackhawk prototype was flown to the United States to demonstrate and display at car shows from which custom orders could be placed for cars to be made. That is until Elvis Presley decided he wanted the car.

Elvis then immediately turned the car over to George Barris to further customize it. Elvis had for many years, had several motor vehicles designed and coach built by his friend, 'The King of Customizers' George Barris.

Elvis purchased his second Blackhawk, this time a production model on September 8, 1971. This car was delivered to Elvis on September 9, 1971. The 1971 models were all two seater's with a small jump seat in the back that folded down to accept matching luggage. This 1971 model used a two piece split windshield.

Other famous owners including Sammy Davis Jr., Evel Knievel, Robert Goulet, Larry Holmes, Wille Nelson, Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Lucille Ball, Wilson Pickett, Billy Joel, Elton John, Paul McCartney, Al Pacino, Frank Sinatra, Joseph Denney and Wayne Newton.

http://www.elvis.com.au/presley/elvis_presleys_stutz_blackhawks.shtml

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