We Can’t Help Falling in Love with Elvis Presley’s ’71 Mercedes-Benz

Take a gander at this super rare piece of rock and roll history from Elvis, ‘The King.’

There’s celebrities, and then there’s Elvis Presley. Dubbed “The King,” he was truly that—rock and roll royalty. The singer, actor, and cultural icon is in an elite group of people who leave an indelible imprint on the zeitgeist. And these greats leave the crowds wanting more, even after they have left the stage. One way to own a piece of this greatness is to buy some memorabilia. Lo, there’s memorabilia, and then there’s a 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SEL. This cool and timeless ride that was one of the King’s favorites is currently up for auction at Daniel Schmitt & Company.

An eclectic taste for the “aesthetic”

Elvis Presley was a fan of beautiful cars, and over his lifetime he owned many. Some of his rides included Cadillacs, BMWs, Rolls-Royces, Lincolns, Ferraris, and MBs. This 1971  Mercedes-Benz 280SEL was purchased by Presley in 1970 in Memphis, Tennessee. It was a daily driver for Presley, and is seen parked outside of Graceland in this picture, which is included in the sale, along with other documentation such as copies of the title registration, the original title, a copy of the original bill of sale, and the King’s original license plates.

The 1971 Mercedes comes in Alpha Crystal Blue Metallic paint, which was altered from the original dark red it was ordered in. The high-end sedan comes with the original factory options such as air conditioning, power windows, power steering, power brakes, and a Becker Europa radio that still in works.

Under the hood of Elvis’ 280SEL

The 1971 Merecedes-Benz 280SEL was powered with a 2.8L, 160-horsepower Straight 6 engine, is a four-speed automatic, and has a little over 80,000 on the odometer. The price tag is currently at $139,900, but will (like our temperature) be rising.

Take a look at this beautiful Mercedes-Benz, and if you’re a motivated buyer we’d suggest a little less conversation and a little more action.

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Sherry Bryan

Longtime automotive journalist S.J. Bryan has been covering the automotive industry for over five years and is an editor with Ford Truck Enthusiasts and regular contributor to F-150 Online, Harley-Davidson Forums, and The Mustang Source, among other popular auto sites.

Bryan first discovered her passion for all things automotive while riding in her parent's 1968 Ford Mustang. The automotive expert cut her teeth growing up riding on Harleys, and her first car was a Chevy Nova. Despite her lead foot, Bryan has yet to receive a speeding ticket.

The award-winning former playwright was first published at age 18. She has worked extensively as a writer and editor for a number of lifestyle and pop culture publications. The diehard gearhead is a big fan of American muscle cars, sixth-gen Ford trucks, and Oxford commas.

S.J. can be reached at sherryjbry@gmail.com.