One Lucky Collector Finds Elvis Presley’s Custom Built Cadillac Wagon

The King of Rock and Roll once owned this 1974 Cadillac station wagon and Barcroft Cars tell how owner Brian found this rare piece of history.

In this day and age, finding a classic car on Craigslist usually isn’t a rare feat. From its user-friendly interface to its unfussy ad format, Craigslist remains one of the go-to websites for classic car sales across numerous generations of gear heads.

Founded in 1995, Craigslist became a stalwart in the car community quickly for its zero-cost requirements, giving car enthusiasts a virtual playground for buying, selling, and trading cars. So it doesn’t come as a shock when some rare and expensive cars appear for sale. One just needs to ask Brian of Volo, Illinois.

Because for Brian, the manager of Volo Auto Museum, Craigslist provided him with what could arguably be the most important car in rock and roll history, Elvis’ custom-built Cadillac Station Wagon. Documented by YouTube automotive channel Barcroft Cars, Brian explains the history and experience he’s gained because of the famed Caddy.

The King Of Station Wagons

After casually browsing the for-sale ads, Brian came across a 1974 Cadillac Station Wagon that once belonged to the proclaimed “King of Rock and Roll.” However, rather than leading with that important detail, Brian explains the seller left that piece of information for the very last line of the ad, replacing the usual “I know what I have” rant.

Luckily, this proved to be the real deal rather than some seller’s gimmick in hopes of arousing interest in the car. Arriving with a bevy of paperwork which included the original invoice signed by Elvis, Brian felt at ease knowing the car once belonged to the singer-songwriter.

A Land-Yacht Of Elvis Proportions

For those unfamiliar with Cadillac’s customization process of the ’70s, buyers were able to build the Caddy of their dreams — provided they had the funds for such an endeavor. As for the rock and roll superstar, asking Cadillac to create a one-off station wagon to haul music equipment to and from the airport wasn’t much of a price to pay for Presley.

Beginning its life as an ordinary sedan, Cadillac received help from legendary car builder, American Sun Roof. More commonly known as American Specialty cars, this is the same company responsible for building such convertibles as the Saab 900, BMW Z3/Z4, and the Nissan 240sx.

Costing $17,000 to build in 1974 — or about $95,000, today — Elvis added his touch in the form of a pink vinyl top, clamshell-style trunk, and personal insignia around the exterior which added to the already unique flare of the wagon. Although technically a piece of automotive and music history, Brian still manages to drive the Caddy a fair amount around town to keep it in working order which allows the locals to sit in awe as they watch Elvis’ station wagon drive by.