Among many of Elvis Presley's prized cars was his Stutz Blackhawk's. Elvis was the first person to own a Stutz Blackhawk, and probably his favourite car of the 1970s was his 1973 Stutz Blackhawk III.
The Stutz Blackhawk was built on a Pontiac Grand Prix chassis, chosen for the GP's engine placement far back on the frame. In 1969 GM introduced a new 'A-special' platform with an exclusive 118 inch wheelbase which was later named the G-body.
So the Stutz Blackhawk started life in the United States as a Pontiac Grand Prix. It was then shipped to Italy to be converted. Only the engine and transmission were kept as the body was stripped away and a new body and coach work added - by hand - not machine, to transform the car into a Stutz Blackhawk.
The very first Stutz Blackhawk prototype was produced in 1969. The Stutz-founder, Mr. James D. O'Donnell, drove this car. Mr. O'Donnell bought the first Pontiac Grand Prix on October, 1st, 1968 that was shipped to italy and converted into the very first 'Stutz' prototype.
The second Stutz prototype was built in the Padane factory, Italy in 1969/1970, being completed in April 1970.
This was the first Stutz Blackhawk ever sold, and to none other than Elvis Presley.
The most significant detail of the prototypes compared to the production cars that were produced starting in 1971, was the big rear-window. Only the two prototypes had the large size rear window.
The interior of the Stutz was very luxurious. The floor coverings were made of Australian lambs wool. Twenty four karat gold plates the bezels and moldings. Only the finest European leather covered the seats, and was used on the dash. The dash also consisted of beautiful English burl. The Stutz went through a six week long process with twenty-two coats of individually hand rubbed lacquer paint
The Stutz consisted of a GM TH400 transmission and GM 455 cubic inch V8 engine. With a horsepower of 425 the Stutz accelerated to sixty miles per hour in 8.4 seconds. The top speed of the Stutz was one hundred and thirty miles per hour. Fuel economy was just 8 miles per gallon.
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 to Elvis Presley.
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 Oct. 12, 1970 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.
In April of 1973, Elvis made a surprise visit to the Pontiac Dealership from whom he had purchased his first Black Stutz Blackhawk, back in 1970. He saw the new Pearl White Stutz displayed in the showroom window...they proudly showed Elvis the Stutz that was on display. Elvis placed an order for the car, that would be imported from Italy and delivered later that year to his Holmby Hills estate on Monovale Drive in Los Angeles. Elvis' new Stutz was delivered at 4 p.m. in the afternoon. Elvis had just woke up, but he happily agreed to pose for publicity photos with the dealership owner, Jules Meyers.
The most famous Elvis Stutz is the 230 HP, 1973 Stutz Blackhawk III, purchased on September, 6, 1974. This Stutz was very unique because it had a red leather interior with 18-karat gold-plated trim throughout.
The 1973 Stutz Blackhawk III was without doubt Elvis' favourite car in the '70s. In fact the last known photograph of Elvis was taken as he was driving though the Graceland Gates in this car shortly after midnight on August 16, 1977, from a late-night visit to the dentist.
