I hear that Carnot Club meets in secret locations.
This 1962 Lockheed JetStar — an aircraft from the beginning of the jet age — was once owned by Elvis Presley, and it’s up for sale at an auction right being held in Kissimmee from January 4th through 14th.
Here’s a video about the plane:
Avid planespotters will note that it doesn’t have any engines. They were removed a long time ago, and it means that this plane can’t fly. Whoever buys it will have to disassemble it for shipping. This sale isn’t for someone who wants to travel in a classic private plane, but an enterprising individual or group who wants to start (or add to) an aviation museum or an Elvis museum.
From the auction page for the plane:
For decades, Lockheed’s JetStar was the executive jet of choice for countless A-listers, recognized dignitaries and star-studded celebrities, and this 1962 Lockheed 1329 JetStar is no exception, as it was once owned by the king of rock ‘n’ roll: Elvis Presley. Presley acquired it from OMNI Aircraft Sales Inc. on December 22, 1976 for the princely sum of $840,000.
…
When Elvis took ownership of this particular JetStar, registered with the FAA as N-20TF, the entertainer was no stranger to luxurious aviation acquisition. He had already amassed a modest fleet, which included a custom Convair 880 named the “Lisa Marie” that went by the call sign of Hound Dog 1, along with a second JetStar identified by its call sign of Hound Dog 2.
With a busy touring schedule, these crafts were needed to transport the singer, his TCB band, backup groups, Col. Tom Parker and the ever-present Memphis Mafia to venues, concerts and appearances all around the country. Elvis kept several pilots on retainer that were ready to fly him to adoring fans at a moment’s notice.
This JetStar is one of several private jets owned by Elvis Presley, with two currently on display at Graceland. Inside, the cabin features wood paneling and red velvet upholstery with gold-finish hardware. There’s seating for nine by way of six plush chairs that swivel and recline, along with a couch. An onboard entertainment system is tucked away in a media cabinet, featuring a television, RCA VCR player and audio cassette player, and headphone ports with audio controls are located at every seat. A galley contains storage and a meal-prep area complete with a Kenmore microwave and beverage dispenser. At the rear is a lavatory along with additional storage and cubby areas.
In the spring of 1977, the jet was sold, later ending up with a Saudi Arabian company. The JetStar was then moved to Roswell International Air Center (ROW) in Roswell, New Mexico, where it’s been stored for decades and resides to this day. The aircraft will require disassembly to be shipped, and coordinating assistance is available. Documentation joining the jet includes a copy of the Aircraft Security Agreement document signed by Elvis Presley, a copy of the Aircraft Bill of Sale and Official FAA Blue Ribbon documents. While the P&W engines and many cockpit components have been removed and no engines or replacement parts will be included with the sale of Elvis’ jet, it serves as an incredible restoration opportunity and a chance to create a unique Elvis exhibit for all the world to enjoy.
The auction site lists these highlights about the jet:
- Purchased by Elvis Presley on December 22, 1976 for $840,000
- 1 of several private jets owned by Elvis Presley, with two currently on display at Graceland
- 1 of 202 production JetStar airplanes produced by Lockheed
- Includes a copy of the Aircraft Security Agreement document signed by Elvis Presley
- Includes a copy of the Aircraft Bill of Sale documentation
- Official FAA Blue Ribbon Documents included
- Aircraft Serial No. 5016
- FAA Registration No. N-20TF
- Red exterior with silver accents
- Custom interior upholstery featuring red velvet and gold-finish hardware
- Onboard Kenmore microwave
- Onboard television with RCA VCR player
- Onboard cassette player
- Wood cabin paneling and trim including window shades
- Six passenger chairs with swivel and recline functionality
- Onboard lavatory with vanity
- Interior cabin seating for up to nine occupants
- The P&W engines and many cockpit components have been removed
- No engines or replacement parts are included with the sale
- Stored for decades and currently residing at Roswell International Air Center (ROW)
- The aircraft will require disassembly to be shipped (coordinating assistance available)
- An incredible restoration opportunity to create an Elvis exhibit for the world to enjoy
Interested in buy this plane? Check out its auction page for all the details.
Categories
What do you need for 2023?
At this point, I’ve got most of what I need, but what’s listed on this sign would serve me well this new year.
What do you need for 2023?
Damn right.
(And if the accordion isn’t the instrument that “speaks to you,” find one that does. Playing an instrument has so many benefits for your brain.)
We don’t have any photos of us showing up to the wrong house,
but we pretty much looked like this.
We started off our New Year’s Eve at the wrong house.
We meant to go to our friend Shelley’s house for her New Year’s Eve party. It’s a meaningful spot for us, because when we started dating eleven years ago, Anitra took me to the same party, and we looked like this:
Click the photo to read the original blog post.
With the pandemic and other parties, it had been a while since we’d been to Shelley’s, and I led us to the wrong house — one that was two doors west of Shelley’s. We rang the doorbell, and an unfamiliar face answered.
“Hello!,” said the gentleman at the door. He was maybe about my age, maybe a little older, with glasses and close-cropped hair and a goatee. He looked like he could’ve been one of Shelley’s friends whom I didn’t know, and I instinctively walked in.
As soon as we were completely inside the house, we knew we were in the wrong place. We’d walked into a smaller gathering, made up of the couple who owned the house, and another couple who were visiting. They’d been sitting in their living room, and from the looks of it, they were having a nice conversation over what looked like a bottle of Lagavulin. Nice.
We all had a good laugh as we introduced each other and shook hands. Anitra and I were about to leave when I had an idea.
“Hey,” taking a quick guess as to their preferred era of rock music. “Have you ever heard AC/DC on accordion?”
They hadn’t — at least until last night.
Categories
2022 in 12 pictures
For your convenience, here’s a list of when grocery and drug stores in Florida are open on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Enjoy, and have a happy new year!
| Store | Hours for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day |
| Albertsons |  New Year’s Eve: 6 a.m. – 8 p.m. New Year’s Day: 6 a.m. – 9 p.m.. More details on their holiday hours calendar. |
| Aldi | New Year’s Eve: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. New Year’s Day: Closed. |
| BJ’s Wholesale | New Year’s Eve: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. New Year’s Day: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.. More details on their holiday hours calendar. |
| Costco | New Year’s Eve: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. New Year’s Day: Closed. |
| CVS | New Year’s Eve: Regular hours. These vary by store. New Year’s Day: Regular hours. These vary by store. |
| Duckweed Urban Grocery | New Year’s Eve: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. New Year’s Day: Hours vary by store. Visit their site for details. |
| Earth Fare | New Year’s Eve: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. New Year’s Day: Closed. |
| Fresco y Mas | New Year’s Eve: 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. New Year’s Day: 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. |
| Fresh Market | New Year’s Eve: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. New Year’s Day: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. |
| Harveys | New Year’s Eve: 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. New Year’s Day: 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. |
| Publix | New Year’s Eve: 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. New Year’s Day: 7 a.m. opening, with most stores closing at 7 p.m.. Use the store locator if you want to find a Publix that’s open later. |
| Safeway | New Year’s Eve: 6 a.m. – 11 p.m. New Year’s Day: 6 a.m. – 11 p.m. |
| Sam’s Club | New Year’s Eve: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. New Year’s Day: Closed. |
| Sprouts | New Year’s Eve: 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. New Year’s Day: 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. |
| Target | New Year’s Eve: 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. New Year’s Day: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. Check the store locator for details. |
| Trader Joe’s | New Year’s Eve: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. New Year’s Day: Closed. |
| Walgreens | New Year’s Eve: Regular hours. These vary by store. New Year’s Day: Regular hours. These vary by store. |
| Walmart | New Year’s Eve: 6 a.m. – 11 p.m. New Year’s Day: 6 a.m. – 11 p.m. |
| Whole Foods | New Year’s Eve: 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. New Year’s Day: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. |
| Winn-Dixie | New Year’s Eve: 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.. In-store pharmacies will close at 6:00 p.m.. New Year’s Day: 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. In-store pharmacies will open at 9:00 a.m. and close at 6:00 p.m.. |