Elvis Presley’s luxury jets go under the hammer

The Lisa Marie and Hound Dog II, designed by the late singer, are expected to fetch up to $15m at California auction

Elvis Presley’s pair of personal jets – one of which has a gilded wash basin and plush sleeping quarters – will go under the hammer in California.

The Lisa Marie and Hound Dog II, designed by the late singer, will be offered together and are expected to fetch between $10m and $15m, Julien’s Auctions said.

The planes, which are no longer airworthy, had been on display at Graceland, Presley’s estate in Memphis, Tennessee, for the past three decades.

The rock’n’roll singer bought the Convair 880 jet from Delta Air Lines in 1975, two years before his death, for $250,000. He named it Lisa Marie after his daughter. Presley spent more than $300,000 refurbishing it with a bedroom, conference room, bar and videotape system linked to four TVs. He had the plane painted red, white and blue with his motto – TCB or “takin’ care of business” – on the tail.

Presley purchased the Hound Dog II, a 10-seater Lockheed Jetstar, the same year for about $900,000 while waiting for the refurbishment of the Lisa Marie. The four-engine 28-passenger Convair could fly Presley, who preferred to travel at night, up to 3,000 miles.

The buyer will have the option to purchase several acres adjacent to Graceland to display the jets, independent of the Presley museum.

An agreement between Graceland and the jets’ current owners, whose identities were not disclosed, expires in April.

Thanks to the Guardian Newspaper for this article

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