The Lincoln Continental, a legendary model that began life as a 1939 Edsel Ford Prototype, by 1975 was settling into its fourth generation of production. The Continental Mark IV would be Lincoln’s most popular model that year. At 228.1 inches long, with a prominent grille reminiscent of a Rolls-Royce, hide-away headlights, and a litany of luxurious interior appointments, the Continental Mk IV had a presence—one that commanded a factory price of $11,082.

This Lincoln Continental Mk IV was built in May 1975; it left the Wixom factory finished in White with the newly optional Saddle Landau vinyl roof with “frenched” rear window and an optional Saddle/White luxury group leather interior. It was further equipped with a power sunroof, headlamp convenience group, reclining passenger seat, four-wheel disc brakes, electric rear window defroster, AM/FM/8-track stereo radio, intermittent windshield wipers, right-hand remote-control mirror, power vent windows, illuminated visor vanity mirrors, premium bodyside moldings, and forged aluminum wheels with white sidewall radial tires.

On 5 June 1975 it was shipped to Schilling Motors Inc. of Memphis, Tennessee, who sold it new just over a week later on 16 June 1975 to the “King of Rock and Roll,” Elvis Presley. As Elvis was known for his generosity with family and friends, it is unknown if this was purchased for someone else or Elvis himself, but the car’s bill of sale from Schilling Motors as well as the 1975 Tennessee title both list Elvis’s famous Graceland mansion address. At this point in Elvis’s career, he was contracted for three residencies at the Las Vegas Hilton: Spring (18 March–1 April), Summer (12–20 August), and Winter (2–15 December). After the completion of his Spring residency Elvis went on a 17-date tour of the South beginning on 30 May in Huntsville, Alabama and wrapping up on 10 June with a performance at the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis. This car was acquired by Elvis following the 17-date tour.

By 1980 the car is believed to have been under the ownership of Jimmy Velvet, a longtime friend of Elvis who opened the original Elvis Presley Museum on 1 June 1978, nearly a year after Elvis’s passing. The museum was located across the street from Graceland, prior to the famous mansion opening to the public in 1982. In 1980 Jimmy Velvet applied for Tennessee vanity plates for the car, listing three preferences: “T.C.B.,” “E.P.,” and the one he ended up getting, “1-Elvis.” It was later acquired by noted Southern California collector Jim Mangione, whose collection was focused on rare Corvettes, racecars, celebrity-owned cars, and movie cars. The Boeckmann Collection acquired the car in June 2001 at an auction held at the Peterson Museum.

Today this Continental Mk IV is believed to be in original condition. The odometer displays 53,129 miles, but as it is believed to have rolled over, true mileage is unknown. Each door of the car features the acronym “TCB” with a lightning bolt, signifying Elvis’s official mantra, “Taking Care of Business in a flash.”

Elvis had a penchant for luxury, which was on full display with his sprawling Graceland estate, custom-designed jewelry, elaborate jumpsuits, private jets, and a famed fleet of Cadillacs and Lincolns. Elvis famously said, “Ambition is a dream with a V8 engine,” and in 1975, a Lincoln Continental Mk IV was exactly that kind of dream for many.