.
I saw it on a website of the first prototypes, the Italian factory photos at Ghia, the 3 years of Stitz Blackhawk production, and Elvis’s Stutz’s at Graceland outside - and now the Blackhawk that is inside at the Elvis Presley Museum with his other cars
These Stutz Blackhawks also had chrome wire wheels - something Elvis really loved on automobiles
The interesting thing is that Elvis never again personally drove any other cars except his Stutz Blackhawks after he saw and bought the first Stutz Blackhawk in 1971
He had other cars - but he had a driver when he rode in them
Elvis had great loyalty to his friends, fans, car brands, and even Col. Parker - who had 50% of Elvis’s earnings and dictatated his somewhat mixed movie career
These Stutz Blackhawks were custom designs by American designer Virgil Exner - and built in Italy on Pontiac running gear and chassis
The chrome grill is a giveaway - a larger and more dramatic grill treatment of the late 60’s through 70’s Pontiacs that were a retro grill based on early American and foreign cars
The resemblance to some Pontiac Gran Prix’s is not coincidence
Elvis was booked to appear in Asheville North Carolina while I was there -
Whatever anyone says - Elvis Presley was a great entertainer and until a year or so ago - he topped music sales -
A few of the songs he recorded with Frank Sinatra are interesting to listen to - Elvis admired Frand Sinatra’s and Dean Martin’s styles - and his Las Vegas show and song styes reflect what he learned from them
Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Elvis Presley - right now tonight thousands of singers are imitating their voices and styles -
“I did it my way......”
Hard acts to follow -
I was never a big fan of Sinatra or Martin. Think their ‘Looks’ didn’t appeal to me, lol.