Elvis Presley's favorite roller coaster car is being "held hostage" by fairgrounds officials in Memphis, according to the coaster's owner. Stephen Shutts, president of Honky Tonk Hall of Fame & Rock-N-Roll Roadshow in Nashville, bought the Zippin Pippin roller coaster last summer for $2,500 in an auction of rides and equipment at the former Libertyland theme park but was only interested in the first car, Elvis' favorite.
"They keep sending notices telling us that if we don't pick up the car it's going to be declared 'abandoned property.' Then, when we go to get it, they won't let us have it," Shutts said. He sold the rest of the Zippin Pippin to a North Carolina tourist attraction, Carolina Crossroads, which has yet to move the entire structure. Mid-South Fair chief operating officer Jim Rout said on Friday he considers Shutts the Zippin Pippin's owner and said when the coaster is removed, the car will be released.
Elvis Favorite Roller Coaster Car Held Hostage
February 20, 2007 | Other Source:GoogleMystery Rider wrote on
February 20, 2007
Thats the right thing. because if he takes the car, then the fair grounds is left holding the bag for the removal when the Carolina Crossroads dosent move the structure....Smart on behalf of Memphis fairgrounds. He bought it hes responsible for it.