Cars & Jumpsuits

[NEA]

Hi Guys,

I know there has been a couple of threads regarding Elvis' Pink Cadillac in the Car Museum at Graceland and his black leather suit from the '68 Comeback plus the Aloha from Hawaii Jumpsuit - every item seems to have come under close speculation as regards to them being the real deal.

I'm quite certain that all the people who offered information on the threads have more or less agreed that the 68 Comeback suit is the actual one, but:

From reading the previous threads I got the impression that regarding the Aloha suit, the real belt and cape were displayed in the racquetball court at Graceland and the actual suit worn for the rehearsal & telecast is displayed at the Hilton in Vegas...Am I right?...If so, is the American Eagle suit that is displayed at Graceland the very Jumpsuit that Elvis wore at his March 12, 1974 concert in Richmond, Virginia?

Now car-wise - opinions appear to be split whether this is the actual Pink Cadillac that Elvis bought his Mother - are we all agreed?

And, how about the Pink Jeep that was featured in 'Blue Hawaii' - do our opinions differ on this vehicle too?

Let's have a head count guys,

Many Thanks!

[Captain Elwood David]

I know there has been a couple of threads regarding Elvis' Pink Cadillac in the Car Museum at Graceland and his black leather suit from the '68 Comeback plus the Aloha from Hawaii Jumpsuit - every item seems to have come under close speculation as regards to them being the real deal.?

Thanks, NEA, for giving me the opportunity to clear some of this up ............. again .............. for the record.

I'm quite certain that all the people who offered information on the threads have more or less agreed that the 68 Comeback suit is the actual one, but:

IMO, it is indeed THE black leather from the actual event, at Graceland.

All of the tales about it being cut / repaired, etc. ....................... are rumour (ie: I haven't seen any hard evidence for it other than embellishment / hearsay, respectively).

From reading the previous threads I got the impression that regarding the Aloha suit, the real belt and cape were displayed in the racquetball court at Graceland and the actual suit worn for the rehearsal & telecast is displayed at the Hilton in Vegas...Am I right?...If so, is the American Eagle suit that is displayed at Graceland the very Jumpsuit that Elvis wore at his March 12, 1974 concert in Richmond, Virginia?

THE Aloha-worn belt is in private hands. Graceland has multiples, as do some others like Ed Parker.

THE Aloha-worn short cape was bequeathed back to Graceland via a private collector back in the mid-90's after changing hands a few times privately. Graceland, as a result, now owns it; I don't buy stories that it is on temp. loan.

Graceland sold the long version in 1999 (EP only tried it on once) to the tune of $75,000.00 (according to official auction house end results).

I also no longer believe the stories surrounding the actual Aloha-worn jumpsuit ever being at The Hilton and not at Graceland. I'll leave it at that.

The recent Elvis Fashion book & my photos from my visits to Graceland all show an Aloha suit with red kick-pleats in the legs exactly as seen in the Aloha special. The main argument for Graceland's not being the same one was based on blue vs. red kickpleats on the Graceland vs. Hilton jumpsuits - respectively. On this & other stories, I personally don't buy it.

Now car-wise - opinions appear to be split whether this is the actual Pink Cadillac that Elvis bought his Mother - are we all agreed?

The pink caddy is the original. EP treasured that car & it is one of the only ones that he kept his entire life.

And, how about the Pink Jeep that was featured in 'Blue Hawaii' - do our opinions differ on this vehicle too?

EP purchased the Blue Hawaii jeep (& another different car from the same movie) for his own use & use at Graceland after the filming was completed. Once again, the same.


- Capt. "EL."

[NEA]

Thank You Captain for clearing up a few of those myths...

I take it the other car that EP purchased from 'Blue Hawaii' was the red sporty number ('Almost Always True')?

And, what about Elvis' 1956 Purple Eldorado that is on display - any info about that too?

Cheers.

[Leroy]

The Purple Caddy is a Cadillac Eldorado from 1956. The story behind was that Elvis was very interested in the car which was white at the time. But the salesman ignored him which of course pissed Elvis off. Elvis walked out of the showroom and discovered an older man who was cleaning cars. Elvis asked him what he got paid for doing this job and with this information he took this man with him and entered the showroom again and asked to see the manager. He said: "I'm Elvis Presley and I'm interested in buying this car. I have the money for it and I'm going to buy it and I want you to give whatever commission that your salesman would have got, had he treated me right, to this gentleman here.

Later (I have no information about when) Elvis decided he wanted the car to become purple. It's been said that he squeezed a couple of grapes on the fender and said: "I want it this color". It was done by the same company who did customize the pink Cadillac.

[Captain Elwood David]

NEA -

Yep, that's the other "Blue Hawaii" vehicle I was talking about.

Since I'm not personally a car buff, I'll let others that are so inclined go digging for the specifics / details.

As for the "smashed grapes" purple car (so the story or "myth" goes ) ............... EPE may have repurchased at some point (either that .......... or ......... other cars on display in the auto museum were on loan from other private owners). Not entirely sure as to the specifics here.

There is a nice Elvis related caddy site on the net -------> a GOOGLE search would do the trick. Lots of info. there for the truly curious.

Hope this helps. Just trying to add some info. off the top of my head.


- Capt. "EL."

[Captain Elwood David]

Here ya go:

http://members.tripod.com/~cool59/elvis.htm

Discusses the "Grape Car" & many others.

Have always enjoyed this site.

There is a second part (scroll down to the bottom) discussing cars that EP gave away.


- Capt. "EL."

[Lonniebealestreet]

I happened to catch that special on the purple Caddy on the History Channel a few years ago (as mentioned on the site posted above). You really appreciate the current condition of the car when you've seen the condition it was in prior to the restoration. Awesome story.