When you think of Elvis Presley, a few things instantly come to mind—his voice, his style, and that iconic Pink Cadillac. But this car wasn’t just part of his image—it was a rolling piece of history with a backstory just as legendary as the man himself. From fiery setbacks to heartfelt gifts, this 1955 Cadillac Fleetwood has lived a life of its own. Here’s the real story behind the ride that helped define the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s early years and left a lasting mark on pop culture.

A 1955 Cadillac Fleetwood Sixty Special

The famous pink Cadillac was a 1955 Cadillac Fleetwood Sixty Special—a premium, full-size model that offered Cadillac’s top-tier style and luxury. This fifth-generation Sixty Special rode on a stretched wheelbase and featured bodywork designed by Harley Earl. It came with power windows, power seats, and one of the smoothest rides of its time. Elvis picked a car that matched his rising star power—long, sleek, and unmistakably high-class.

Presley’s Second Cadillac

That iconic pink Fleetwood wasn’t Elvis’ first Cadillac. He actually bought a 1954 model earlier that year—also a Series Sixty—and used it to travel with his band, the Blue Moon Boys. But that first Cadillac met a fiery end. A brake lining failure led to a fire in June 1955, destroying the car on the side of a highway in Arkansas. The second Cadillac would go on to make history.

Presley Bought The Cadillac In July 1955

Elvis bought the replacement—a blue Cadillac with a black roof—in July 1955. But it didn’t stay that way for long. Inspired by the line “you may have a Pink Cadillac” from his song “Baby, Let’s Play House,” Elvis had the car repainted. A neighbor named Art sprayed it in a unique shade that became known as “Elvis Rose,” though the black roof remained intact. That fresh color made it a head-turner everywhere it went.

The Cadillac Was A Gift To Presley’s Mother

Elvis technically gave the Cadillac to his mother, Gladys, as a gift. But there was one catch—she never had a driver’s license and didn’t drive. So Elvis kept driving it himself, often with his bandmates tagging along. During 1955 and 1956, the Cadillac became almost as famous as Presley himself. Fans flocked to see it wherever he went, making it an unofficial symbol of his early success.

The Second Cadillac Also Had An Accident

Even the second Cadillac wasn’t immune to misfortune. In September 1955, while bandmate Scotty Moore was behind the wheel, the car was involved in an accident in Texarkana, Texas. Damage was estimated at around $1,000—no small change at the time. But instead of scrapping it, Presley had the car repaired, reupholstered, and decided to switch up the look with a white-painted roof instead of black.

Presley Would Lend The Car To His Friends

Elvis didn’t keep the car all to himself. After returning from military service in 1960, he lent the Cadillac to his friend and Army buddy Joe Esposito. Esposito was a car guy himself and even bought a white Cadillac with a pink roof to echo Presley’s famous ride. For Elvis, it was just as much about sharing the experience as it was about showing off.

The Cadillac Spent Years Under A Carport

After Elvis passed away in 1977, the Cadillac was stored under a carport for several years. Eventually, it was donated to Graceland and fully restored to its original glory. Today, it’s one of the most popular exhibits at the Graceland Museum. In 2006, it even made an appearance outside for a special visit by President George W. Bush and Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.

A Big V8 Powers The Pink Cadillac

Under the hood sits a 365-cubic-inch (6.0-liter) OHV V8—Cadillac’s larger engine option for the ’55 Sixty Special. It cranked out 285 horsepower and was mated to a smooth four-speed Hydra-Matic automatic transmission. It was a serious piece of hardware for its time, giving the car plenty of power and presence to match its flashy looks. This wasn’t just a show car—it had serious performance under the paint.

Stewart Krentzman Created A Copy Of The Pink Cadillac

In 2006, Graceland staff documented every inch of the car with 125 photos to help Stewart and Bonnie Krentzman build an exact replica. The agreement allowed for just one official copy—a “twin sister” of Elvis’ Cadillac. The clone was used to support breast cancer awareness and fundraising efforts, making the car a symbol of something even bigger than pop culture: hope and healing.

Various Songs Exist About Pink Cadillacs

Elvis may have started the legend, but the Pink Cadillac kept showing up in pop culture long after. Bruce Springsteen’s 1983 track “Pink Cadillac” became another big tribute. Aretha Franklin’s 1985 hit “Freeway of Love” also featured one—and that song went on to win a Grammy. Even Clint Eastwood got in on the act with his 1989 film Pink Cadillac. When a car shows up in that many songs and movies, you know it left its mark.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been car-fully, I mean carefully, reviewed by our editors.