Elvis Presley | October 9, 1970 | Elvis buys his first Stutz Blackhawk

Elvis purchased this Stutz Blackhawk on October 9, 1970, for $26,500.

Elvis' Stutz Blackhawk | Prototype # 276579 P 330858

Sonny West: Jules Meyers, the first Stutz-dealer showed up at Elvis' home at Hillcrest with the Blackhawk.

Elvis was interested, and Mr. Meyers told him that he could sign a contract, and that the Stutz-Company will build him his Blackhawk during the following months.

Elvis wasn't interested in signing a contract, he was interested in buying the car, the car standing next to him.

Jules Meyers tried to explain that this car was the very first Stutz, that he needed the car to show to potential buyers, to drive around, showing the beauty of the car. Elvis answered with a question: 'How do you think you will sell more cars, when you drive it, or when the people see ME driving it around?'

Well, Jules saw the point ... Elvis got the car although it was shown at a motor show prior to delivery.

Jules Meyers: Elvis wanted to have the car, I told Elvis that there was a car show, in a couple of days, and that I would need the car for that. It was O.K. with Elvis, so the car was sold. Elvis also agreed to take some press-pictures with him and the car - good for publicity. Frank Sinatra was also interested in the car, but Sinatra would not agree to any pictures of the Stutz being taken with him and he would not agree to the car being displayed at the car-show. So it was obviously the better decision to sell the car to Elvis Presley.

Jules Meyers hands Elvis the keys to his Stutz Blackhawk.

Elvis then immediately turned the car over to George Barris to further customize it. Elvis had for many years, had several motor vehicles designed and coach built by his friend, 'The King of Customizers' George Barris.

Once George Barris had completed his work, the car was then delivered to the International Hotel in Las Vegas on October 12, 1970 [Quick work!] accompanied by a letter on Stutz Company letterhead verifying delivery to the International. Sonny West took delivery as Elvis was in Memphis on that date but Elvis soon flew to Las Vegas to see his completed new car. Unfortunately, this first Blackhawk car was involved in an accident on July 1, 1971 and the front was heavily damaged. Elvis had sent Sir Gerald, his L.A. chauffeur, out to have the car washed and it ended up in an accident. After that, Elvis put it in storage. Repairs to the car were not completed until the early 80s. Mr. O'Donnell, the founder of the new Stutz company helped to restore the car, after earlier advising that the car was 'a total wreck' and the only value this car now bears is one of salvage' and offered $1,000 for it in a written letter to Vernon Presley dated August 2, 1971. Being a prototype original parts were not available so the radiator grill and the front lights fitted are not original. View images demonstrating the repairs.

Elvis and John O' Grady leave Elvis' Hillcrest home in his Stutz Blackhawk : October 9, 1970.

Elvis and John O' Grady leave Elvis' Hillcrest home in his Stutz Blackhawk : October 9, 1970.

Elvis and John O' Grady leave Elvis' Hillcrest home in his Stutz Blackhawk : October 9, 1970.

Elvis and John O' Grady leave Elvis' Hillcrest home in his Stutz Blackhawk : October 9, 1970.

Elvis and John O' Grady leave Elvis' Hillcrest home in his Stutz Blackhawk : October 9, 1970.

Elvis' Stutz Blackhawk passing the gates of his Hillcrest home : October 9, 1970.

February 1970

Elvis Presley Houston Astrodome | February 25, 1970
Elvis Presley Houston Astrodome | February 27, 1970
Elvis Presley Houston Astrodome | February 28, 1970
Elvis introducing drummer Bob Lanning at the Astrodome, Houston, February 1970
Elvis Presley, backstage with fans in Las Vegas | February 18, 1970

March

Elvis Presley Houston Astrodome | March 1, 1970
Elvis Presley Leaving The Houston Astrodome | March 2, 1970
Elvis Presley at Easter | March 29, 1970

June

Elvis Presley Arriving at Studio B | June 4, 1970
Elvis Presley Studio B Parking Lot | June 5, 1970

August

Elvis Presley's Las Vegas Contract Agreement
Elvis Presley at a Nancy Sinatra show at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada | August 6, 1970
Elvis Presley Las Vegas | August 10, 1970
Elvis Presley Las Vegas | August 11, 1970
Elvis Presley Las Vegas | August 12, 1970 DS
Elvis Presley Las Vegas | August 12, 1970 MS
Elvis Presley with fan Yanick Gomez | August 22, 1970

September

Elvis getting off his chartered jet in Phoenix, AZ on September 9, 1970
Elvis Presley Phoenix, AZ | September 9, 1970 | First concert tour since since October 1957
Elvis Presley Kiel Auditorium, St. Louis, Missouri | September 10, 1970
Elvis Presley Olympia Arena, Detroit, Michigan | September 11, 1970
Elvis Presley Convention Centre, Miami, Florida | September 12, 1970
Elvis Presley Mobile Alabama | September 14, 1970
Elvis Presley September 15, 1970
Elvis in the foyer of Graceland on September 23, 1970

October

Elvis Presley October 9, 1970 | Elvis buys his first Stutz Blackhawk
Elvis Presley Attending a Tom Jones show at Caesar's Palace | Mid-October 1970
Elvis Preslet | Gospel Convention, Ellis Auditorium, October, 1970

November

Elvis Presley Memorial Coliseum, Portland, Oregon | November 11, 1970
Elvis Presley The Forum Arena, Los Angeles, Ca | November 14, 1970
Elvis Presley Oklahoma City: November 16, 1970
Elvis Presley on a plane to Denver to collect a police badge | November 17, 1970
Elvis Presley with the daughters of the Denver Police Chief | November 25, 1970

December

George Klein's Wedding in Las Vegas | December 5, 1970
Elvis Presley and President Nixon at the White House | December 21, 1970 (Six pages)
Elvis Presley Sonny West's Wedding | December 28, 1970
Elvis Presley Tupelo | December 29, 1970
New Years Eve Party at TJ's | December 31, 1970

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