Guess what? Elvis’s iconic car is now chilling at the Orlando Auto Museum in Dezerland Park, and it’s a real showstopper! At a whopping 41 feet long, this shiny pink Cadillac, made to look like a guitar, is definitely stealing the spotlight.
Previously, this one-of-a-kind vehicle, which Elvis once drove to a concert in Las Vegas, is now proudly displayed in Orlando. It’s been taken under the wing of Michael Dezer, the man behind Dezerland Park and a well-known car collector. Before making its journey to Florida, this unique automobile spent quite a bit of time in France, including stints in a junkyard and atop a shopping mall.
Talk about transformation! This beauty started off as a 1970 Cadillac Eldorado before undergoing some serious alterations. Thanks to designer Jay Ohrberg, it was split in the middle to create that classic guitar shape we all know and love. The front maintains the engine while a long, slender section acts like a guitar neck leading to the rear segment with a solo seat.
When you look closely, you’ll see the details: strings that originally ran from the front to back, cool tuners on the hood, and classy fiberglass additions at the back giving it that unmistakable instrument vibe.
Museum curator J.J. Morales says, “I totally expected something like this with the unique cars we have here. It’s definitely a sight to see.”
However, this beauty isn’t without its problems. While we love the several musical notes running along the sides and those flashy tail fins, the car’s journey has left it a bit worse for wear—rust spots, body damage, and even wear inside the seat. No hubcap, either!
They quickly found out some key parts are missing under the hood, like the distributor. Without a working engine, SO many hands were needed just to get it into place on Wednesday.
Morales mentioned, “It’s been a while since anyone’s set eyes on it. Most of that time, it spent outside in a junkyard, so it shows.”
Despite its shabby condition, the details are still fascinating: oversized tailfins, a cozy seating area that used to have a dome-shaped top (yep, no windshield!), and a fancy logo featuring a groovy tongue emblem and two ladies in swimsuits say it all. Not to forget, there’s a quirky front license plate from Tennessee, dating back to 1977!
And get this—the keys are still jammed in the ignition!
“Very few cars truly capture the essence of American music culture like this one does,” Dezer revealed in a statement. “We’re thrilled to have brought this exceptional piece of Elvis history back to the U.S. for fans to check out.”
As for the price tag on this guitar car, that’s still under wraps. Michael Dezer’s Orlando Auto Museum is home to over 2,500 jaw-dropping vehicles worth a staggering $200 million, ranging from film stars to military machines and even the world’s longest limo!
This Elvis ride was once listed on eBay, with a bidding start of around 10,000 Euros, or roughly $11,000 in U.S. dollars. Now that’s a deal!
The museum plans to give this car a little TLC, and they’re ready to share the restoration journey in the next month or so. Morales hopes for an elaborate refurbishment, hinting at a budget of potentially a million bucks!
Excited about future visitors learning about this incredible icon during the restoration? Morales definitely is, expressing, “It’s not every day we have a chance like this, especially with all the social media buzz and the public coming in.”
