Graceland

Elvis Presley's Mercedes-Benz Limo Up for Auction

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions, Celebrity Shopping

A 1970 Mercedes-Benz 600 SWB limousine (above), one of a pair owned by the the late, great Elvis Presley, will be on offer at Bonhams' Important Motor Cars and Fine Automobilia sale at Mercedes-Benz World in Surrey, UK on December 6. Estimated at about $230,000 – $310,000, it's one of only a handful of cars that the King of Rock and Roll ever registered in his name. Presley used the car which was based at Graceland for a number of years before giving it to a friend in Memphis. Restored to a very high standard in powder blue paint with a cream leather interior, it's an important example of an iconic motorcar that was much favored by celebs of the era; other VIP 600 owners included John Lennon, Hugh Hefner, Elizabeth Taylor, Aristotle Onassis and Fidel Castro. At one time, the front doors of the car featured Elvis' famous TCB Lightning Bolt logo (for "Takin' Care of Business") in gold leaf.

Gallery: Elvis Presley's 1970 Mercedes-Benz Limo

Tags: Bonhams, Elvis Presley, Graceland, leather, limousine, Memphis, Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-Benz 600, UK

Elvis Memorabilia Heads To Auction

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Auctions

Had he survived, Elvis Presley would be celebrating his 75th birthday this year. The King lives again at Heritage Auctions' August 14th Elvis Auction at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis. The auction is topped by the listing of Elvis Presley's White Knabe Grand Piano which is expected to bring in over $1 million. Other items up for bid include his original 1955 RCA Contract, a signed Graceland Purchase Agreement, personal address book, love letter, jumpsuit and handgun.

The piano is the same one we saw listed last year, it was used from 1957 to 1969 at Graceland (until Priscilla bought him a new gold-leaf-covered one). "This elegant musical instrument, so well-loved and played by Elvis, is presented with wonderful provenance back to the 1930s," said Doug Norwine, Director of Music & Entertainment Auctions at Heritage in a press release. The piano was also used in Memphis' Ellis Auditorium from the 1930s to 1957 and has also been played by other famous musicians including W.C. Handy, Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Cab Calloway. Elvis bought the piano because of its significance and had it refinished in white.

Tags: elvis, Elvis Presley, graceland, heritage auctions, music memorabilia

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The New Plans For Graceland

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Although Elvis Presley has been gone for over 30 years he still has plenty of fans and many people make the pilgrimage to Graceland each year. A recent AP story says that the owners of the property, CKX Inc., are beginning to make moves on a redevelopment project for the 100 acres surrounding the Tennessee home. Robert Sillerman, owner of the "American Idol" franchise, bought controlling interest of Elvis Presley Enterprises in 2004, previously floated a $250 million redevelopment of the area several years ago that would include a demolition of the old visitors center and Heartbreak Hotel. He is planning a two-day session next month at Graceland to discuss the plans for a new vision for the popular landmark.

The meeting will not include government officials but they may be involved at a later date because improvements to city features like Elvis Presley Boulevard may be necessary. While now isn't the best time for starting projects given that banks are still holding tightly to the purse strings when it comes to loans, it seems like this is one project that is a bit of a sure thing. After all, Elvis continues to be on the list of top earning dead celebrities year after year.

Tags: elvis presley, ElvisPresley, graceland, tennessee, tourism