Elvis Presley’s death on August 16, 1977 at just 42-years-old shocked the world. But did you know the final photograph of The King, taken just hours before his death, is on display at Graceland for fans to see? The picture is located by the last car he ever drove, his1973 Stutz Blackhawk III.
The last car Elvis Presley drove is located across the road from the Graceland mansion at the Presley Motors Automobile Museum.
Express.co.uk saw the Stutz on a virtual live tour of items associated with The King’s life and career, that took place earlier this year.
And at one point, our expert guide Vice President of Archives and Exhibits Angie Marchese showed off the interior.
She said: “Elvis purchased this car in September ’74 for a little over $20,000 and yet it is customised.”
Angie continued: “All of the trim inside the Stutz is 24 carat gold-plated including the driveshaft you’ll see in the centre.
“This was probably one of Elvis’ favourite cars because cars have life spans where he would either give them away or he would stop driving them.
“But because he bought this car in September ’74 [and] he was still driving it in August ’77…this car obviously had a special place in the rotation of cars in his life.”
The Elvis expert went on to share how the vehicle had been completely restored, before pointing out the final photo.
That photo is blown up right by the car for fans who want to see it when they visit Graceland in person.
After driving home from the dentist after midnight, Elvis called up his cousin Billy Smith and his wife Jo around 3:30am.
The King invited the couple to come and play a game of racquetball at his on-site court with girlfriend Ginger Alden.
After a few games, Elvis sat at the piano in the lower lounge area of his state-of-the-art sports building. And there The King sang for the final time, belting out Unchained Melody and Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain.
Then, around dawn, Elvis and his Memphis Mafia members headed back to the Graceland mansion. He said goodnight to Lisa Marie for the last time before later heading to bed with Ginger.
Around lunchtime that day, Elvis was discovered dead in the bathroom next to his bedroom. The King had suffered a heart attack on the toilet at the age of just 42-years-old.
Two days later, The King’s funeral took place in Memphis, Tennessee with hundreds of fans in the area to pay tribute to the star.
Elvis is now buried in the Meditation Garden at Graceland alongside his parents, grandmother and grandson.
