It Wasn't Always Pink: The Story of Elvis Presley's Formerly Blue 1955 Cadillac Fleetwood Series 60

Elvis's 1955 Cadillac Fleetwood Series 60 Special Cadillac isn't just a car, it's a saga set in the highways surrounding Texarkana, Arkansas.

Elvis had a great run of shows at Texarkana's Municipal Auditorium across 1954-1955.  However, the surrounding roads were hard on his Caddies.  The first one he ever owned caught on fire outside of Hope, Arkansas in June 1955.

In July, Elvis bought a Fleetwood Series 60 with an original blue paint job and a black roof.  However, he had a Memphis neighbor of his named Art re-paint the car with a custom color called "Elvis Rose."

On September 2, 1955—coming up from New Orleans with Scotty at the wheel, someplace south of Texarkana—Elvis's pink Fleetwood Series 60 Special with its black roof crashed.  Damage to the car came in at $1,000, or about $10,000 in today's money. 

Showtime that night at the Texarkana Municipal Auditorium came and went, but scratch extra opening act Cheesy Nelson and the Flying Saucers kept the audience going until the headliners finally arrived.  Things were so rushed that Elvis, Scotty, Bill and D.J. had to hit the stage wearing their regular clothes.  That didn't keep them from bringing the house down.

Among other opening acts on the bill that night?  Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two.

The "big finish?"  Elvis had his damaged blue Cadillac Fleetwood towed back to Memphis where it was repaired and the black roof got painted white.  Reputedly, it's the only Cadillac Elvis ever owned and never thought of giving away. 

This information is a small fraction of the complete story.  Read more and the see that night's concert photos in guitarist Scotty Moore's record as well as the excellent "Elvis's Cadillacs" website entry

The incredible "Elvis Presley in Concert" database was also consulted.  It's especially jaw-dropping in listing all of the opening acts from those early years.