Elvis’s private jet sold on auction after sitting on a runway for 30 years

The private jet once owned by Elvis Presley and his father was sold on auction Saturday after languishing on a runway in New Mexico.

Photo screengrab from Wochit News video

   
The 1962 red Lockheed JetStar was previously owned by Elvis and his father, Vernon Presley, but has been sitting abandoned on a New Mexico runway for 30 years. It was auctioned on Saturday, bringing in $430,000 at the GWS Auctions Inc. event in Agoura Hills, Calif. The auction reportedly featured celebrity memorabilia. The name of the new owner of the plane was not disclosed.

According to GWS Auctions, the interior of the plane was designed by Elvis himself and featured gold-toned woodwork, red shag carpeting and red velvet seats. However Roy McKay, a previous owner of the jet, disputes the claim that the rock ‘n roll star designed the interior. Billboard reports that McKay said he designed it himself, saying when he bought the plane the interior was two-tone gray, which he said looked like a casket. 

Photo screengrab from Wochit News video

However, GWS Auctions spokesman Carl Carter told the Associated Press that they are confident the interior was designed by Elvis. According to Carter the records of the Federal Aviation Administration show no changes had ever been made to the jet’s interior.

As reported by CBC News, while the interior is still in a reasonable condition, the plane reportedly has no engine and the cockpit is in need of major restoration. The exterior of the plane also needs some work.

Elvis was 42 when he died on August 16, 1977, in Memphis.

See more of the plane in the video included below.