Elvis Presley loved Cadillacs. According to legend, the King of Rock and Roll bought nearly 200 Cadillacs after hitting the big time. Most were gifts for family, friends, bandmates, bodyguards, and even strangers.
In tribute to Presley’s affinity for the make, car customizer John D’Agostino - opens in new window or tab. created three 1959 Cadillacs, each bearing the King’s name. The last of the trio, "Elvis III," a Series 62 Coupe de Ville, was recently sold on eBay in St. Louis, Mo.
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A Thousand Hours of Work
D’Agostino is an old-school customizer influenced by the Barris brothers and Gene Winfield. He uses timeless custom techniques like chopped tops, body mods, and paint effects. He acknowledges that he comes up with the ideas but relies on experienced builders to realize his vision.
The customization of Elvis III was performed in Italy for a reported near-million-dollar price tag by Dossena “Dox” Lorenzo and Francesco Attolico. It took more than 1,000 hours to complete this work:
- Chop the coupe’s roof, windshield, and rear window
- Add White Ash T-tops to the roof
- Shave emblems and door handles
- Paint the Caddy in a shade of pearl white called Crystal Stardust
Note the subtle gold “stardust” highlights airbrushed along the beltline and rocker panels.
Swarovski Crystal
The 390-inch V-8’s - opens in new window or tab. air cleaner housing wears a Crystal Stardust finish. Painted gold adds bling to several engine components. Builders also painted the Cadillac’s chassis, suspension components, and brake drums. An air suspension system - opens in new window or tab. (with hidden controls in the glove compartment) hunkers the car over its wide whitewall tires.
Most of those changes hew to D’Agostino’s traditional aesthetic. Yet, a few of the Cadillac’s details are unique. He embedded Swarovski Crystal - opens in new window or tab. studs in the front and rear grilles. The gold and white Italian leather upholstery has a distinctive floral pattern. The headliner features sweeping wood trim with inset lighting. “Elvis” mother-of-pearl inlays decorate the T-tops. There’s even a vintage microphone - opens in new window or tab. tucked into the trunk in case the spirit of Elvis—or one of his many impersonators—wants to belt out a little Hound Dog or Heartbreak Hotel.
Elvis III earned a number of accolades on the custom car show circuit. In 2015, it won the Custom d’Elegance award at the Sacramento Autorama and was voted the Most Fashionable Car at the Rodeo Drive Concours d’Elegance in Beverly Hills. Other accolades were awarded by Carmel Mission Classic, Goodguys Nationals, Grand National Roadster Show, and West Coast Kustoms.
University Collection
Elvis III joined the Academy of Art University car collection - opens in new window or tab. in San Francisco in 2016. It remained there until February 2025, when it was among 105 cars sold in a no-reserve auction by Broad Arrow Auctions. The Academy's museum is a showcase for students enrolled in the institution's automobile restoration program.
Photos in the eBay listing showed that Elvis III remains in immaculate, show-ready condition.
While the seller indicated the Cadillac’s V-8 and four-speed automatic transmission make the car “as easy to drive as the original,” it would be nerve-wracking to put all this craftsmanship at risk on public roads. But just imagine how much fun that ride would be. The Buy-It-Now price was $229,900.
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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.