@ Memphis, TN
March 2020
On display at Elvis’ Graceland complex are two of five aircraft owned by the late performer. The larger of the two is this former Delta Convair 880, purchased by Elvis in 1975 for $250,000. The singer named it ‘Lisa Marie’ after his daughter and spent more than $800,000 customizing the interior with a living room, conference room, private bedroom, gold-plated seat belts and a quadraphonic 8-track stereo system. The Lisa Marie went on display here at Graceland in 1984. First flown in 1959, the 880 was designed to compete with the Boeing 707 and Douglas DC-8 by being smaller but faster. With a max speed of 615 mph it was claimed to be the fastest jet transport in the world at the time. With a higher price tag and higher fuel consumption, the airliner was a commercial failure and the production line shut down after three years and 65 deliveries. The designation 880 was a reference to the top speed of 600 mph or 880 ft/sec. Fuji X-E2s w/18-135mm.
