Elvis Presley's 1962 Lockheed 1329 JetStar Private Jet To Be Auctioned In Kissimmee This January

Elvis Presley's private plane with nine original red velvet seats is up for auction again after it was abandoned in a New Mexico desert!

The rusting 1962 Lockheed 1329 Jetstar has sat uncared for in the aircraft graveyard at Roswell, New Mexico for more than 35 years, but now the plane is set to be auctioned at next month's Mecum Action in Kissimmee.

The red 1962 Lockheed 1329 JetStar was purchased by Elvis Presley on December 22, 1976, eight months before he died, for $840,000.

The jet is one of several owned by Elvis, with another two, the Lisa Marie and Hound Dog II, currently on display in Graceland.

After Presley's death in 1977, the jet was sold that year, the jet was then sold again in auction in 2017 for about $430,000 to a Saudi Arabian company.

The JetStar was then moved to Roswell International Air Center (ROW) in Roswell, New Mexico, where it’s been stored ever since.

Why it was left abandoned and how it came to be auctioned again is unclear, but it will need a lot of work, including an engine, and a major cockpit makeover before it could ever fly again.

While the nine-seater aircraft might be costly to fix up, the jet's original onboard entertainment system featuring a television, VCR player and an audio cassette player, six plush chairs and a couch, all decked out in red velvet upholstery with gold-finish hardware have been preserved.

Most importantly, included in the sale is a copy of the Aircraft Security Agreement document, which is signed by Elvis Presley himself.

"With a busy touring schedule, these crafts were needed to transport the singer, his TCB Band, backup groups, Col. Tom Parker and the ever-present Memphis Mafia to venues, concerts and appearances all around the country," says the listing. "Elvis kept several pilots on retainer that were ready to fly him to adoring fans at a moment’s notice."

The King's jet will be going up for auction on January 8 in Kissimmee at the world famous Mecum Auction, held annually at the Osceola Heritage Centre.

Mecum Kissimmee 2023, the world's largest collector-car auction, returns to Osceola Heritage Park this January from the 4th through to the 15th with an estimated 4,000 American Muscle Cars, Classics, Corvettes, Exotics, Trucks, Hot Rods, Customs and more.

Every year, Mecum Auctions offers more than 20,000 lots at multiple auctions around the country. That’s a whole lot of cool classic vehicles!

And their Kissimmee event is always something special. In fact, Mecum’s Kissimmee event is the world’s largest collector car auction.

The 11-day event features an estimated 4,000 vehicles and the ceaseless high-energy of Mecum Auctions action. But that’s not all! There are also daily Road Art selections, the Mecum Midway of food, exhibitors, live entertainment, and the Dodge Thrill Ride.

So, whether you’re a casual car aficionado or serious about adding a new toy to your garage, the Kissimmee Mecum Auctions is sure to have something for you.

Mecum Kissimmee 2023 is open to buyers, sellers and spectators. Bidder registration is available online in advance and on-site at the auction for $200, and it includes admission for two persons to the 12 auction days.

General admission tickets are available in advance online for $20 per person, per day, and for $30 at the door and online after January 3; children 12 and younger receive complimentary admission.

Doors open daily at 8 a.m. with the vehicle auction begins on Thursday, January 5 to Sunday, January 8 at 10 a.m., on Tuesday and Wednesday, January 9-10 at 10 a.m. and on Thursday through Sunday, January 12-15 at 9 a.m.

With the recent addition of 50 investment-grade vehicles from the main attraction Rick Grant III Estate Collection, along with several other private collection offerings, the tally board of consignments for Mecum Kissimmee 2023 continues its climb to 4,000 vehicles.

Mecum Kissimmee 2023 will present the most diverse selection available anywhere, encompassing American muscle cars, classics, Corvettes, exotics, trucks, Hot Rods, customs and more, with live coverage of the event to be featured on MotorTrendTV and MotorTrend+.

A 1959 Porsche 718 RSK Center Seat, a 1936 Bugatti Type 57 and a 1965 Shelby 289 Cobra Roadster will headline The Rick Grant III Estate Collection, and the impressive group also includes a variety of other well-preserved classic sports cars from Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Austin-Healey, Bentley, BMW, Ferrari, Jaguar, Maserati, Mercedes-Benz, MG and others.

Joining the Rick Grant III Estate Collection and the previously announced Kissimmee-bound Chuck Cocoma Judge and GTO Ram Air IV Collection—headlined by a rare Orbit Orange 1970 Pontiac GTO Judge Ram Air IV Convertible—is a growing list of private collections featuring a wide selection of collector vehicles.

Among them are The Gary Edwards Wing Car & Mopar Collection, featuring 12 meticulously curated wing cars from Dodge and Plymouth, along with four other mighty Mopars; another dozen vehicles From the Lindley Collection, including two other wing cars; nine vehicles offered at no reserve from The David Disiere Collection; nine vehicles From the Wendlinger Collection, including several benefiting from frame-off restorations; and six Select Vehicles From the Wellborn Musclecar Museum Collection.

“When my dad (Dana Mecum) left the auction arena at the conclusion of Mecum Kissimmee in January, he said ‘4,000 next year,’ and he meant it,” Vice President of Consignments Frank Mecum said.

Last year’s Mecum Kissimmee auction achieved a record $217 million in sales to become the first-ever live collector car auction to exceed $200 million.

Consignment positions for Mecum Kissimmee 2023 are still available, and those who wish to participate are encouraged to submit a Request for Position form now to take advantage of pre-auction advertising and promotion.

For more information on Mecum Kissimmee 2023 and all other scheduled auctions, visit Mecum.com.

Mecum’s website is updated daily with the latest consignments and includes detailed descriptions and photographs of the vehicles to be offered.