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MEMPHIS, Jan. 3 (UPI) -- Julien's Auctions says it is selling two of the late Elvis Presley's private planes. "Lisa Marie" and "Hound Dog II" are for display only and cannot be flown. They have been on exhibition at Graceland since 1984 as part of an agreement between the jets' current owners and the Memphis museum, but the pact expires in April.
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Graceland was the music superstar's home until his death in 1977 at the age of 42.
Bids on the planes will be accepted until Feb. 2.
"For the very first time, collectors, aviation enthusiasts and entrepreneurs who wish to independently continue to show the two planes that have been on display at Graceland for the past 30 years can bid through an exclusive sealed bid auction for the epitome of Graceland elegance and jet-setting rock star luxury owned and designed by the King of Rock 'n' Roll himself," the auction house said in a news release Friday.
Presley purchased the Convair 880 Jet from Delta Airlines in 1975 for $250,000. After refurbishing it, the total exceeded $600,000. He immediately christened it the "Lisa Marie" in honor of his only daughter. The redesigned jet featured plush sleeping quarters, a penthouse bedroom with a custom-made queen size bed, an executive bathroom with gold faucets and gold washbasin, a videotape system linked to four televisions and a stereo system with 50 speakers and a conference room. The tail section of the plane featured Presley's trademark -- "TCB" -- for "Taking Care of Business."
The last flight the plane took was when it transported Presley's ex-wife Priscilla and his good friend George Hamilton from California to his funeral in Tennessee.
The "Hound Dog II" is a Lockheed JetStar. Presley purchased it for nearly $900,000 while he was waiting for the completion of the "Lisa Marie's" refurbishment.
