Elvis’ 1971 Stutz Blackhawk Sells At Auction

One of the many cars owned by Elvis was a 1971 Stutz Blackhawk and it recently went up for auction in none other than Las Vegas and was sold for $297,000. In 1971 only 26 units were made and Elvis purchased two that year, one of which he eventually gifted to his doctor Elias Ghanem, and was the one sold at auction.

It did not take long for the Stutz Blackhawk to become a symbol of prestige and this happened thanks to Elvis Presley. He was the company’s first customer and bought the second prototype! Initially, Frank Sinatra was invited to get it, but he refused to do a public delivery. The “King of Rock and Roll” accepted and paid $26,500 for the first car in 1970. The sum amounts to roughly $203,500 in today’s money.

With a steel body made in Italy at Carrozzeria Padane, the Blackhawk could reach 62 mph (100 kph) in 8.4 seconds and kept accelerating until it hit the top speed of 130 mph (210 kph) thanks to Pontiac underpinnings. Aside from the performance, the car also had a lavish interior adorned with 24-carat gold plated bits and pieces. Expensive wood was used extensively, and other materials like wool gave the Stutz a fantastic vibe that showed Italian craftsmanship blended well with the American idea of automotive luxury.

The car that was gifted to his doctor has a plate on the glove box that says “Elias Ghanem, A True Friend, Elvis Presley.” Some claim that the artist wanted to do this after he battled pneumonia and received great care from Ghanem. The doctor died in 2001.