Go to main content

The Car Elvis Killed On Display

August 08, 2009 | Book

Elvis Presley once put a bullet in it, and now you can see it up close and personal. The 1971 De Tomaso Pantera formerly owned by the King of Rock ’n’ Roll will be on display at Concorso Italiano as part of its tribute to De Tomaso Automobili and the Pantera at the event’s Centerpiece Display on Friday, August 14, in Monterey, Calif., as one of the kickoffs to the area’s historic race weekend.

Built to replace the De Tomaso Mangusta, and designed by Tom Tjaarda, the Pantera was the first De Tomaso made with a steel monocoque design. Not quite on the Ferrari or Lamborghini level despite its sultry Italian coachwork, it created a new niche between exoticars and American muscle cars. With a sleek body and hot performance to challenge Ferrari, the Pantera was powered by a Ford V-8 instead of an alloy V-12.
The De Tomaso Pantera featured at Concorso demonstrates Presley’s passion for both guns and cars. In a fit of rage, Elvis shot his Pantera several times when he lost patience at the car not starting. (It is unknown whether gunfire motivated the car to start the next time.) The two bullet holes on the steering wheel rim and one in the floor pan were never repaired and now serve as reminders of the star’s occasional fits of rage. To make amends, Presley is rumored to have bought his Pantera a brand new Cadillac.
Source:Elvis Unlimited
Mofoca22 wrote on August 08, 2009
lol wow its a wonder he didnt shoot himself doing that lol
andrew1 wrote on August 09, 2009
I can't imagine shooting such a beautiful car. But if you're Elvis...
Ruthie wrote on August 09, 2009
I saw this car over 2 yrs ago at the Henry Ford Car Museum in Dearborn, Michigan, during a Rock Stars & Guitars diplay held there for a few months. I have to admit I am not "into" cars but I found this particular car to be most entertaining & fun, because of the history & who owned it!
mature_elvis_fan75 wrote on August 09, 2009
Shooting a car is not funny its just stupid,im sorry i know its Elvis but come on,thats dangerous,nice looking car!
Harvey Alexander wrote on August 09, 2009
TV sets, cars...shame he didn't shoot Dr. Nick while he was at it.
ekravik wrote on August 11, 2009
Shooting a car!? Was our man crazy? He seems so calm and normal on interviews..
dgirl wrote on August 11, 2009
If you've read any of the books by the Memphis mafia, their nickname for Elvis was 'crazy'. On that, they all agree. This is not what I want to remember Elvis for.
Steve V wrote on August 11, 2009
Its not funny. Whenever I see stuff like this, I think of Elvis and drugs and a guy that was so sheltered from the outside world, he was bored out of his mind. A rational person doesnt play with a gun like it was a toy. You ask me why I like the Elvis of the 50's so much? Besides the great music, stories like this is one of the reasons.