Few music legends are as tied to flashy cars as Elvis Presley, and now one of his most eccentric vehicles has found its way back to American soil.
A 41-foot, guitar-shaped pink Cadillac once driven by the King of Rock and Roll is now permanently parked in Orlando, Florida.
The one-of-a-kind 1970 Cadillac Eldorado, famously known as the “guitar car,” is now part of the Orlando Auto Museum at Dezerland Park, thanks to car collector Michael Dezer.
From Vegas Spotlight to Paris Junkyard
Back in the early 1970s, Elvis stunned crowds when he drove the custom Cadillac down the Las Vegas Strip before a concert.
But after its brief moment in the limelight, the car seemingly disappeared.
Years later, it was discovered rotting in a Paris junkyard before resurfacing on eBay for just $11,000.
By the time it was found, the once-sparkling Cadillac was in rough shape, with rust, broken panels, worn-out seats, and missing parts.
Still, its cultural value was undeniable.
A Unique Design Fit for the King
The “guitar car” didn’t start out extraordinary.
Originally a standard Cadillac Eldorado, it was transformed by car designer Jay Ohrberg, who also built vehicles for film and television.
He extended the car with a long, narrow section resembling a guitar neck, added faux “strings” across the body, and topped it off with oversized tailfins.
From above, the silhouette was unmistakable: a giant, bright-pink guitar on wheels.
Details like musical notes on the sides, a Tennessee license plate that reads “1-ELVIS,” and quirky fiberglass touches made it one of Elvis’s most eye-catching rides.
The Long Road Back to America
Moving the Cadillac into its new home was no small task—15 people were needed just to push it into Dezerland Park, as the engine no longer runs.
The car arrived with decades of weather damage, but many of its unique details survived, including the original logo featuring a tongue flanked by two bikini-clad women and its “Hollywood Star Cars” branding.
Now, for the first time in decades, the car is back in the United States and set to undergo a full restoration.
A Million-Dollar Restoration Journey
The Orlando Auto Museum plans to invest more than $1 million and at least a year of work to bring the Cadillac back to its original glory.
According to curator J.J. Morales, visitors won’t have to wait until it’s finished to get a glimpse.
The museum will soon display the car mid-restoration, letting fans see the process unfold in real time.
Once restored, the Cadillac will headline a new exhibit dedicated to Jay Ohrberg’s creations, which include some of the most iconic vehicles in Hollywood history.
A Museum Like No Other
The guitar-shaped Cadillac is set to become the star attraction at Dezer’s Orlando Auto Museum, already home to more than 2,500 rare and famous vehicles valued at over $200 million.
The museum includes cars from blockbuster movies, military collections, international classics, and antique treasures.
And it’s not just about cars. Dezerland Park—the largest indoor entertainment complex in Florida—features a massive trampoline park, go-karts, laser tag, glow-in-the-dark mini golf, pinball, bowling, a cinema, and even a James Bond-themed restaurant and bar.
Fans Get a Chance to See Elvis’s Guitar Car
For Elvis fans and car enthusiasts alike, the restoration marks a rare opportunity to connect with an unforgettable piece of music and automotive history.
Soon, visitors to Orlando will be able to stand face-to-face with the legendary guitar-shaped Cadillac that once belonged to the King himself.