Elvis Presley, renowned for his love of fast cars and, perhaps, not-so-speedy yet supremely comfortable motorcycles, particularly favored Harley-Davidsons. Now, his final Harley is scheduled for auction, sparking speculation that it might become the first motorcycle to surpass the $1 million mark, potentially surpassing the close call of a Vincent Black Shadow that recently fetched just over $900,000.
The late King's last Harley is a virtually pristine 1976 Harley-Davidson FLH 1200 Electra Glide, a hefty 750-pound, 58-horsepower machine of (oil) burning love. Presley only rode it a mere 126 miles before bequeathing it to a museum, with his passing occurring the following year. The FLH remained encased in glass for three decades until it fetched around $800,000 at auction in 2019. Now, it has returned to the market.
A critical query arises: given its origin in an era when Harley-Davidsons were not renowned for reliability, does it still run? According to the current auction hosts, GWS, it does. They assert having a video of it idling, although attempts to locate the video proved unsuccessful (as it might be a private listing).
Additional queries emerge, notably concerning the peculiar seat. The oversized seat extending onto the gas tank was a trend of that era, so feel free to swap it out after securing the winning bid. If you happen to acquire this iconic cruiser, Elvis's wife Priscilla will reportedly provide a note confirming its ownership by the "Mr. Blue Christmas" himself, encouraging you to ride it with gusto, even if it comes with a million-dollar price tag – or so one would hope she writes.
For those with spare GME stock to cash in, the auction site beckons. Explore the somewhat lackluster photos of the FLH, and best of luck with your bidding. And in case you end up as the runner-up, don't fret – Elvis's Lincoln Continental limo and a private jet (far from airworthy) are also available for acquisition. Ontario enthusiasts, take note – this iconic piece of Elvis history could soon find its way to your province.