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.

Photos at right are of the Blackhawk prototype #2 under construction.

This second Stutz Blackhawk prototype was flown to the United States to demonstrate and display at car shows from which custom orders could be placed for cars to be made. That is until Elvis Presley decided he wanted the car!

Elvis' Stutz Blackhawk : Prototype # 276579 P 330858

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

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 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 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.

Photo at right - Elvis leaving his 1174 Hillcrest Drive, Beverly Hills home - Click to view larger image + more photos. (Note rear reverse lights)

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