Rock 'n' Roll: Cars of the King

One of several Lincolns owned by The King (which includes a 1960 Lincoln Limo and a Lincoln Mk IV), this 1962 Lincoln Continental was bought in Las Vegas. It was then painted white and blinged up with a gold alligator roof according to Elvis's specification.

Measuring in at 17.75 feet long, the third-generation Lincoln Continental was nearly 2 feet shorter than its predecessor, but it did retain its trademark suicide doors. Penned by Elwood Engel, the Lincoln Continental is seen by many as one of the finest large American cars ever manufactured.

Bing Images: 1962 Lincoln Continental

Originally playing a supporting role in the 1961 movie "Blue Hawaii" (starring Elvis and Angela Lansbury), The King was so taken with the red British roadster after driving it for the film that he decided to buy it. It changed hands a couple of times after that but eventually found its way back to Graceland.

The MGA was officially launched in 1955 and represented a fresh direction for MG after its T series, with a curvaceous streamlined body and a cracking new 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine (this was later increased to 1.6-liter). MG only produced this model for seven short years before replacing it with the MGB.

Bing Images: 1960 MGA Roadster

Bought in December of 1970, this white Mercedes-Benz 280SL was a present for Priscilla. It is said to have been one of her most treasured keepsakes, and she had the car sent directly from her home in California to Graceland where it now forms part of the permanent display.

The second-generation SL, also known as the "Pagoda" model because of the shape of its hardtop and officially known as the W113, was originally introduced with a 2.3-liter engine. This was later increased to a 2.5-liter and eventually to the 2.8-liter inline six-cylinder engine which beat under the hood of Priscilla's Pagoda.

Bing Images: 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SL

Bought in October 1976, less than a year before Elvis's death, this '75 Dino had a payment plan of just one instalment: $20,583. The Dino was produced between 1968 and 1976 and was originally conceived as a range of entry-level models separate from Ferrari and powered by V6 engines (instead of Ferrari's huge V12s).

The Dino was the first mid-engine sport car produced by the company and was an instant hit, gunning squarely at the success of Porsche's 911. In 1973 Ferrari increased the V6 to a 2,927cc V8 and bumped its power up to 202 horsepower. In 1976 the Dino was finally rebadged as a thoroughbred Ferrari.

Bing Images: 1975 Dino 308 GT4

Launched in 1963 and powered by a mighty 6.2-liter V8, the third edition of the Silver Cloud was treated to double headlights, a lower hood line and a marginal increase in power. For 11 years the Silver Cloud formed the core of Rolls-Royce models before being succeeded by the Silver Shadow.

The interior of Elvis's white 1966 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III is decked out in blue leather with walnut paneling along the dashboard. It was owned by TV star Michael Landon and country musician Charlie Rich before it rolled through Graceland's imposing gates for the first time.

Bing Images: 1966 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III

Originally white with a black interior, Elvis allegedly squashed a handful of grapes on the wheel arch of his '56 Caddie and told customizer Jimmy Sanders of Memphis, "This is the color I want". To complete the transformation the upholstery was changed to white roll and pleated leather and the floor covered in purple mouton fur.

Elvis also had the floor mats adorned with his personal insignia — his "EP" initials, entwined with a guitar and two music notes. The car was sold only one year later and after a couple of different owners was eventually abandoned in an open field before being bought on auction and restored to its former (pimped-up) purple glory.

Bing Images: 1956 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible

Despite being an undisputed Cadillac man (owning several dozen models during his life), in 1961 Elvis broke from his pattern and purchased a Ford T-Bird for $6,284 from a local dealer. Created to steal sales from Chevrolet's Corvette, Ford only made 200 of Elvis's particular model and treated them to fancy wire wheels.

The relationship with the T-Bird didn't last very long though. Just a few days after buying the car, while in Hollywood shooting a movie, some of the wheels' wires came undone while Elvis's employees were driving the car. Ford couldn't provide replacement wheels and so the car was swiftly returned for a full refund.

Bing Images: 1962 Ford Thunderbird

While stationed in Germany as part of his military training, Elvis eagerly paid $3,750 for a BMW 507 formerly owned by racing ace, Hans Stuck. At the time BMW's exclusive roadster (only about 250 were ever manufactured) cost nearly double that, so The King was mighty pleased with his bargain.

That is until he realised the contract, in German of course, stipulated the car was only leased to him and had to be returned when he left Germany. Powered by a 3.2-liter V8 which developed 148 horsepower, the 507 could muster a pretty impressive 126.8 mph top speed and is one of the most iconic '50s cars.

Bing Images: 1957 BMW 507

Meet the most famous rock and roll car of all: Elvis's pink Cadillac. Immortalized in the "Baby Let's Play House" lyrics, as in "You may have a pink Cadillac ..." the Caddie was originally blue but Elvis had it promptly repainted to match his original touring car which met its demise in a roadside fire.

Elvis and the rest of his band toured in this Caddie until it got damaged in an accident not long thereafter. As part of the repairs Elvis had the interior customized, ordered the roof to be changed to white and gave the newly repaired car as a gift to his mother.

Bing Videos: Elvis' pink Cadillac

Elvis was the very first person to own a Stutz Blackhawk (when the dealer showed him the prototype at his house he bought it on the spot). The Blackhawk started its life as a Pontiac Grand Prix in the U.S. before being shipped to Italy for its transformation to a Stutz.

Powered by a 227-horsepower V8, Stutz excelled in high-end luxury. Australian lamb wool covered the floor and burl walnut the dash, while 18-karat gold-plated trim added some rock 'n roll bling. The Stutz went through a six-week-long production process which included 22 coats of individually hand-rubbed lacquer paint.

Bing Images: 1973 Stutz Blackhawk