Pick of the Day: 1971 Stutz Blackhawk, purchased new and owned by Elvis Presley

I have a “TCB” tattoo on the inside of my right arm. It’s not too big, maybe 2.5” x 1”, but it’s still prominent, especially the lightning bolt. I’ve had it for a decade and rarely receive comments on it, but I had a former coworker ask if I was a Tampa Bay Lightning fan. I guess the world has forgotten Elvis’ mantra of taking care of business. Fifty-million Elvis fans can’t be wrong and maybe one is in the market for one of The King’s cars.

The Pick of the Day is a 1971 Stutz Blackhawk purchased new and owned by Elvis Presley. It’s listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealer in St. Ann, Missouri. (Click the link to view the listing)

Elvis' temporary registration for the 1971 Stutz Blackhawk — Elvis’ temporary registration for the 1971 Stutz Blackhawk

“This iconic motorcar was the very first production Stutz Blackhawk ever produced and was delivered new to Elvis Pressley at his Beverly Hills, California home,” the listing states. “This quickly became Elvis Presley’s favorite car, and he would continue to drive and enjoy it until his new Stutz Blackhawk in the same color would be delivered to the Las Vegas Hilton hotel where he was performing in early 1974.

“At that time Elvis would gift the 1971 Series 1 Stutz Blackhawk to renowned celebrity physician Dr. Elias Ghanem who was not only his friend but his personal physician in Las Vegas. Elias Ghanem would continue to own and cherish his Stutz Blackhawk until he passed in 2001, where it was then put in a respected private collection.”

I normally associate Elvis with Cadillacs, but the grandiose flavor of the Stutz Blackhawk seems to be a natural pairing with The King. With its excessive proportions of a long hood and short deck, lots of chrome, side pipes, and spare tire mounted to the trunk lid, the Blackhawk is the ideal vehicle to express an over-the-top spirit with 1970s excess. Simply put, the Stutz Blackhawk is the automotive equivalent of a rhinestone-encrusted jumpsuit with a cape. Those grandiose notions are reflected in the car’s 24-karat gold interior trim and its label as the most expensive car in the world in 1971.

The listing states that Elvis owned three Stutz Blackhawks, with two at Graceland. This car should be a museum piece too but can be part of your personal collection for $399,500.