Elvis Presley's private jet Lockheed 1329 JetStar up for auction after years abandoned in New Mexico
One of the private planes owned by Elvis Presley is reportedly going up for auction after being hangared in Roswell, New Mexico, for years. The late singer’s Lockheed 1329 JetStar was previously auctioned off for approximately $430,000 in 2017 but it is not clear yet why it has been listed again by Mecum Auctions.
As per reports, Presley bought the jet in 1976 for $840,000. The aircraft still has its nine original red velvet seats along with cassette player, wood cabin paneling, a television, microwave, and restroom. “For decades, Lockheed’s JetStar was the executive jet of choice for countless A-listers, recognized dignitaries and star-studded celebrities, and this 1962 Lockheed 1329 JetStar is no exception, as it was once owned by the king of rock ‘n’ roll: Elvis Presley. Presley acquired it from OMNI Aircraft Sales Inc. on December 22, 1976,” the auction site stated.
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It also noted that “the vessel was extremely capable, boasting four engines that were contained in two pods mounted at the rear of the fuselage. They allowed for a max speed of around 565 MPH and a range of upwards of 2,500 miles, more than enough for active jetsetters focused on taking care of business. Inside, there was ample room for eight to 10 passengers to ride in style along with an onboard crew of three (two pilots and one cabin attendant).”
Calling the private jet “a truly rare bird with immense appeal,” Mecum Auctions added, “While the P&W engines and many cockpit components have been removed and no engines or replacement parts will be included with the sale of Elvis’ jet, it serves as an incredible restoration opportunity and a chance to create a unique Elvis exhibit for all the world to enjoy. Elvis and his effect on the music industry are known the world-over, and this opportunity for a new owner to acquire an extravagant piece of his aviation past is a momentous occasion with untold room for flights of rock ‘n’ roll fancy.”
Presley was 42 when he died in 1977 in Graceland. It has been reported that the actor suffered from an addiction to prescription drugs. Though his official cause of death was determined as heart attack, author Sally A Hoedel, who wrote ‘Elvis: Destined To Die Young’, claimed he died early since “a series of defective genes likely passed down to him by his maternal grandparents, Bob Smith and Doll Mansell, who were first cousins,” The Sun reported.
Hoedel reportedly shared, “That first cousin marriage obviously causes a lot of issues. Elvis' mom Gladys died very young at 46 and she had three brothers who all died at similar ages from heart and lung-related issues. So it stops being a coincidence by the time it gets to Elvis because there's so much going on in that family tree.”
The writer added, “Elvis had various health issues but he hid them so well that the over-medication is what we remember now. He often took too much, and there are issues there, but you have to ask why he was taking those pills in the first place. One of the reasons Elvis turned to the medication was pain, he was also a lifelong insomniac, but the reason he was self-medicating was that he was trying to find a way to be Elvis Presley.”