A fully-restored 1977 Lincoln Continental Mark V that was purchased by Elvis Presley and gifted to his girlfriend and fiancee, Ginger Alden.

This Continental Mark V is equipped with a 6.6 liter 400 c.i.d. Cleveland V8 engine mated to a 3-speed Ford C6 automatic transmission that produces 179 horsepower and 329 ft-lb of torque. The Mark V was produced for a two-year period, this being the first year of Lincoln's flagship model. As noted by the vehicle's VIN number, this vehicle was produced in 1977 at the Wixom, Michigan production plant. The "S" in the VIN number refers to the standard 6.6 liter engine offered in the vehicle. This was the 775th Continental ordered from the Wixom assembly plant out of over 80,000 produced.

Options on this particular Continental include the all-steel roof (no vinyl top), full-grain white leather interior with red dashboard and carpeting, Cartier clock, automatic climate control, cruise control, twin comfort lounge seats, and a high-gloss wood grain insert interior.

Presley purchased this vehicle from Star Lincoln Mercury Sales in Glendale, California, for $13,500, and gifted it to his girlfriend and fiancee, Ginger Alden. Various photographs depict the vehicle being used to transport Elvis and Ginger to her grandfather's funeral, further highlighting the Continental's significance.

Ginger Alden writes about this particular vehicle in great detail in her New York Times best-selling memoir Elvis & Ginger (Penguin Random House, 2014).

In the memoir, Elvis asks, "If you were me and you were going to buy a new car, what kind would you get?" Ginger responded, "A Cadillac or a Continental would be nice." Elvis then asked, "What color?" To which Ginger responded that blue or white would be "pretty." Elvis responded, "Thanks, Ginger. I've just been thinking about getting a new car lately."

Ginger continues, "When Elvis's performance ended, I was escorted backstage, but instead of going to his dressing room, Elvis asked me to follow him. We followed Elvis out of one of the hotel's back doors. There, gleaming beneath nearby lights, was a brand-new white Lincoln Continental Mark V with white leather seats and a burgundy dashboard. Elvis walked towards the car and everyone gathered around it."

Ginger continues, "I was still confused about why this car was here or what we were doing. Then Elvis looked at me and nonchalantly said, 'It's yours, Ginger.' To say I was overwhelmed doesn't even begin to describe the enormity of my emotional reaction. I had never even owned a car before, and now I had a Lincoln Mark V?"

Elvis said, "There weren't any white Lincoln Continentals in Las Vegas, so we located one in California and had it driven to us."

During a conversation between Elvis and Ginger's parents, Jo and Walter Alden, Elvis found out that the family drove an old Dodge Charger as their family vehicle. Elvis mentioned to Ginger, "I would like your parents to have a new car, a larger one. Would you mind giving them the Continental? I have another car I want to give you."

After Ginger's parents took possession of the Continental, Elvis and Ginger, would drive the Lincoln to attend Ginger's grandfather's funeral. Ginger writes, "Charlie, David, and Ricky took the backseat of the Lincoln while Elvis and I sat up front. With Joe behind the wheel, we pulled out of the parking lot and headed toward the Mt. Sherman Assembly of God Church."

Ginger said, "We finally reached the small town of Jasper, turned onto another narrow road, and began our ascent up the snow-covered mountain towards the church. The road looked so slippery that I couldn't help voicing my concerns about being able to make it up to the church." Elvis responded, " If I can land my jet on that icy runway, I can also land on top of that mountain."

About driving the car, Ginger writes, "I took seat behind the wheel of the car for the first time and began following Al Strada toward Graceland's gates. It was a surprisingly harrowing experience. I hadn't realized how big the car was until I was driving it. As I peered over the wheel, the Continental's expansive hood seemed to stretch out forever. I was basically a land yacht! As the car squeezed through the brick pillars and onto Elvis Presley Boulevard, I was worried about hitting any - and everything."

This vehicle has undergone a complete frame-off restoration by the team at Bandit Movie Cars in Palmetto, Florida. Some pieces were intentionally left in their original condition, such as the steering wheel, the stereo, and armrest, which have been left unchanged since the time of Ginger's ownership. The vehicle's engine has been reconditioned by the team at Keech's Machine in Sarasota, Florida.

Restoration work has included a new custom-built exhaust, a new windshield, new tires, complete bodywork and paint job, new brake system, suspension components, cooling system replacement, air conditioning compressor, interior refurbishment including new upholstery and carpet, a new gas tank, and many other new components.

VIN Number: 7Y89S800775

Mileage: 63,422, although it is unknown whether this reflects the true mileage of the vehicle.

This vehicle has been previously exhibited at the Elvis Presley Museum.

Images of previous ownership documents show that the vehicle was in Ginger Alden's name in 1977.

Accompanied by a copy of a Letter of Provenance from Jo Alden and signed by Jimmy Velvet that reads, "This is to certify that this 1977 Lincoln Mark V, was given to Ginger Alden, by Elvis Presley, in Las Vegas, Nevada, in December, 1976. Elvis was performing at the Hilton International Hotel. He told Ginger that he was going to buy himself a new car but could not make up his mind on the color. Ginger suggested white on white and about twelve hours later, he took her down stairs to the back door of the Hilton where the car was parked. Elvis handed the keys to Ginger and said, 'it's yours.' He had located a white one in California, and had it driven to Las Vegas. Elvis paid two men $2,000 to drive the car from Las Vegas to Memphis. This is one of the last cars owned by Elvis."

Accompanied by Ginger Alden's memoir Elvis & Ginger (Penguin Random House, 2014), a copy of a Letter of Authenticity from Jo Alden, with a copied signature from Jimmy Velvet, as well as thirteen photographs taken of Ginger Alden and Elvis at various times with the 1977 Lincoln Continental Mark V.

Notice: The winning bidder is responsible for ensuring that proper vehicle transfer of ownership is completed in accordance with state and federal regulations. The winning bidder is additionally responsible for coordinating vehicle shipment and delivery. Vehicles are held at Julien's Auctions' headquarters unless otherwise noted in the lot description. Julien's Auctions will not be held liable for any money owed on a vehicle or fees associated with the vehicle's ownership. Pre-sale condition reports are available upon request in writing via e-mail only.

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