Elvis Presley’s private plane arrives in Florida ready to be transformed into an RV

Elvis Presley’s beloved private plane will be transformed into an RV after sitting in a New Mexico desert for nearly 40 years. 

Influencer James Webb of Jimmy’s World on YouTube purchased the 1962 Lockheed 1329 Jetstar for $260,000 on what would’ve been the King of Rock and Roll’s 88th birthday on January 8.

Webb, who is known to flip abandoned aircrafts, transported the plane to his Florida workstation in an attempt to turn it into an RV for a cross-country road trip to raise money for charities.

‘I knew that it was a once in a lifetime opportunity,’ Webb told Fox News. ‘It was the biggest financial purchase I have ever made, outside of a house, and this was ironically more expensive than my house. How crazy is that?’  

The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll had purchased the jet in December 1976 for $840,000, less than a year before his death in August 1977. 

Elvis Presley’s beloved private plane was transported to Florida after sitting in a New Mexico desert for nearly 40 years 

James Webb of Jimmy's World on YouTube plans to turn Elvis Presley's beloved 1962 Lockheed 1329 Jetstar into an RV

James Webb of Jimmy’s World on YouTube plans to turn Elvis Presley’s beloved 1962 Lockheed 1329 Jetstar into an RV

The cockpit, along with the rest of the jet, has never been restored. The inside of the jet is filled with red velvet seats and carpet

The cockpit, along with the rest of the jet, has never been restored. The inside of the jet is filled with red velvet seats and carpet 

Webb doesn't plan of flying the jet ever again. If he did, a new engine would be needed

Webb doesn’t plan of flying the jet ever again. If he did, a new engine would be needed

While the nine-seater aircraft might be costly to fix up, the jet’s original cassette player, wood cabin paneling and 1970s charm have been preserved.

Webb is documenting the progress on the beat-up jet and has already successfully fixed the lights. 

The outside of the rusted aircraft will also get a makeover but Webb plans on preserving the interior velvet seats, shag carpet and wood cabin paneling. 

Webb’s vision for the aircraft is to turn it into the Elvis-mobile – a project he said can either succeed or fail. 

‘We’re going to take it to Las Vegas to Graceland maybe,’ Webb told the news outlet.

For the scraps of the plane not used for the RV, such as the wings and the gas tanks, Webb will turn the pieces into Elvis mementos for profit. 

This rare airplane is one of only 204 aircraft manufactured between 1957 and 1978 in a private collaboration between Jetstar and Lockheed.  

The opening bid on the 1962 Lockheed 1329 Jetstar was for $100,000, but offers slowly went up. 

Presley’s legacy has gained a new younger fanbase since the premier of the Elvis film starring Austin Butler in June 2022.  

The movie explores Elvis’ complex relationship with his former manager, Colonel Tom Parker – who is portrayed by Tom Hanks – and the extraordinary influence that the former carnival worker had on the singer’s life.

Butler, 31, won a Golden Globe for his performance as the King of Rock n’ Roll. The actor was praised by Elvis’ ex-wife Priscilla for capturing her ex-husband’s volatile ‘temperament’ so well.

He also grew closer with Elvis’ daughter, Lisa Marie Presley. 

A cassette tape is seen hidden behind a cabinet. Webb plans on keeping the wood paneling in the beloved jet

A cassette tape is seen hidden behind a cabinet. Webb plans on keeping the wood paneling in the beloved jet

Elvis - who is portrayed by actor Austin Butler in the film (pictured)

Pictured: Elvis Presley

Butler, 31, won a Golden Globe for his performance as the King of Rock n’ Roll. The actor was praised by Elvis’ ex-wife Priscilla for capturing her ex-husband’s volatile ‘temperament’ so well 

Presley's two other jets are currently at Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee. He can be pictured above outside one of them with Priscilla Presley

Presley’s two other jets are currently at Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee. He can be pictured above outside one of them with Priscilla Presley 

Austin Butler won a Golden Globe for playing Lisa Presley's father Elvis. Lisa Marie Presley seen with Butler in June 2022

Austin Butler won a Golden Globe for playing Lisa Presley’s father Elvis. Lisa Marie Presley seen with Butler in June 2022

Lisa Marie with her parents Priscilla and Elvis in 1970

Lisa Marie with her parents Priscilla and Elvis in 1970

Lisa Marie died at the age of 54, hours after she suffered a cardiac arrest at her home in Calabasas, California. 

She had been rushed to a hospital in critical condition and was said to be in a coma following a ‘full cardiac arrest’ shortly after she had been complaining about stomach pains, according to TMZ.

Lisa Marie’s death comes just two days after she was pictured with her mother at the Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hills Hilton where Austin Butler won a Best Actor award for his portrayal of her father in Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis. 

Lisa Marie’s life was tumultuous, with five stints in rehab for cocaine and opioid abuse, four failed marriages – including one to Michael Jackson – as well as losing her son to suicide and a fierce custody battle over her twin girls with an ex-husband she falsely accused of having child pornography.

 

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