Thunderbird Jumpsuit (1972-1973)

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

I love this picture

[nabelt24]

I had heard that this suit was originally designed and intended for the Aloha special, but Elvis wanted something more patriotic. Anyone else ever heard this story?
I'll try to find where I found this...

[goodelvisgirl]

waw great pics i just posted a topic looking for more photos and info onthis suit but i got it all here thanks

[Diane Lynn]

Am I the only person in the whole world who thinks this suit is a vulture? Its not a Thunderbird at all. Look at the belt.....

Fred

please ask yourself. why would elvis be wearing a depiction of a vulture? why would very expensive suits have a vulture put on them. who would take the time?

[Diane Lynn]

absolutely perfect

[1100ccRider]

please ask yourself. why would elvis be wearing a depiction of a vulture? why would very expensive suits have a vulture put on them. who would take the time?

I've always thought the same thing, that this suit had a definite vulture quality about it (hey, vultures are just as inherently noble as the bald eagle that is often, after all, just as much a scavenger). It's the belt, more than anything -- same with the freaky red Russian eagle belt that Elvis didn't like wearing with the porthole suit earlier in '72. I think this suit looked better with the turquoise-studded belt that Jack Lord had made for him, that Elvis wore in Honolulu on November 17, 1972.

I can see how this was kind of a template for the Aloha suits, though, just as the Today/Pharoah, red flower/flame, Aloha, and Memphis/Arabian 1 suits inspired, respectively, the embroidered Inca Gold Leaf, Flame, American Eagle, and King of Spades suits and the Philly/Spectrum/Snowflake 1 suit from 1971 showed up again as the jeweled Snowflake suit in 1973.

[RS277]

Never really cared for this suit. Can't really explain why. Kind of looks cheap I guess. Love the Jack Lord belt though.

[tony70]

one of my favs love the design

[Vegas King]

Here,I colorized one of the jumpsuit junkie's photos
hope you like it

[WHITETIGERMAN]

I love looking at pics of him in this suit....I love all the great colors on this fantastic suit.

[easyrider]

Beautiful photos

[Brad Stalnaker]

I shot this in Memphis in Oct. of 08. What's the deal? The head of the bird doesn't match the one in the photos of Elvis.

Was it repaired? Is it a replica suit? (The "Memphis suit" didn't look right to me either {for that matter})....I had heard that it's not an original.

Why would they put "fakes" on display. There is a photo in the JUMPSUIT EXHIBIT book of a black cape with red stones.....the suit doesn't exist (that I know of).

Hmmmmm....anyone know the story (of the Thunderbird suit at Graceland)?

I'm not interested in seeing "replicas". If its NOT the original why put it on display?

[Leroy]

I shot this in Memphis in Oct. of 08. What's the deal? The head of the bird doesn't match the one in the photos of Elvis.

Was it repaired? Is it a replica suit? (The "Memphis suit" didn't look right to me either {for that matter})....I had heard that it's not an original.

Why would they put "fakes" on display. There is a photo in the JUMPSUIT EXHIBIT book of a black cape with red stones.....the suit doesn't exist (that I know of).

Hmmmmm....anyone know the story (of the Thunderbird suit at Graceland)?

I'm not interested in seeing "replicas". If its NOT the original why put it on display?

I have noticed the difference in the 1972 "Thunderbird" too. I do believe it is the original but that repairs were done. When the suit comes back from the dry cleaners very often there are stones missing (some by accident, some deliberately). During the repairs Gene might have decided he was not satisfied and change details, like in this case the head of the bird.

The 1973 "Arabian" (Memphis) is also the original. But they have put the wrong belt on the suit which might give it a totally different outlook. Also... you have to keep in mind that Elvis already put on some weight while wearing this suit. This doesn't show on the dummy they use at the display. That might make a suit look different too.

[LuckyJackson]

Love this suit, its got beautiful colours in it

[thejumpsuitman]

I had a conversation with Charlie Hodge back in '03. He told me a story about this suit... The story goes that when Elvis received it, he asked Charlie what he thought of it. Charlie's response was "It looks like a **** buzzard!" Joe Esposito overheard and pulled Charlie aside reprimanding him, saying "Don't you know Elvis takes that very seriously? If he is self conscious about the suit, he won't wear it anymore and these suits are expensive!"

[Tommy]

[elvia7]

SUCH A ELVIS SMILE!!!

Great picture , thank you Tommy!

[Tommy]

Thank you very, very much Evi...............

[richardo316]

thanks tommy. the pics are fantastic

[hounddog]

one from the book The day Elvis came closest to Japan