Chassis No. 59G101698

"Elvis III," a 1959 Cadillac 62 Coupe de Ville Custom reflects John D'Agostino's dedication to creating exceptional automotive art. A renowned custom car builder and designer, D'Agostino has a passion for Cadillacs, often calling them "king" in the world of luxury cars. With over 20 Cadillac customs to his name, he approaches each project as a personal statement, blending his vision with craftsmanship that redefines what a custom can be. For Elvis III, D'Agostino began by conceptualizing the design, collaborating with his Italian team at Celebrity Kustoms before handing the project to those very same expert builders. Though he builds primarily for himself, his creations, like Elvis III, captivate audiences worldwide, showcasing his ability to transform classic cars into celebrated works of art displayed across continents.

This fine Italian interpretation of American car culture showcases extraordinary attention to detail, evident in every visible and hidden aspect of the build. Built near Milan by master craftsmen Lorenzo "Dox" Dossena and Francesco Attolico, it took two years to complete and features over 40 unique modifications. The exterior roofline features a two-inch chop and an intensive rework to the trim and surrounding glass. Dual T-Top panels in white maple and ornate mother of pearl "Elvis III" inlays feature prominently. Created by the craftsman at AD-Kustom Furnitures, the panels feature pneumatic releases and custom storage in the capacious padded trunk. Shaved trim and door handles, streamlined rear fender skirts, clear custom blown-glass tail lenses, multi-layer PPG pearl metallic paint dubbed "Kristal Stardust Elvis III" with gold airbrushed highlights, and 122 Swarovski crystals embedded in the front and rear grilles offer a dazzling show car finish.

According to D'Agostino "it's got to have the right stance from the start" and to that end Elvis III's all important ride height and rake are controlled by full air suspension via glove box mounted switchgear and gauges that add a touch of modern functionality. Under the hood it retains its original 290 cu-in Cadillac V8 engine but is fully accessorized in chrome and gold and is adorned with a large Elvis III motif with lyrics of Presley's If I Can Dream acid-etched into the engine compartment trim, a subtle yet striking tribute to the "King of Rock 'n' Roll." Furthermore, the engine bay includes a custom air cleaner, Cadillac oil filler cap, and gold-painted components such as the intake manifold, water lines, hood hinges, and the radiator fan shroud.

The interior is equally stunning, with floral-motif textured upholstery, a color-matched padded dash, and door panels continuing the fanciful and airy theme. The headliner with its removable panels is trimmed in three strips of white maple with 12 white LEDs running from fore to aft. Numerous interior pieces are finished in gold with its steering wheel with gold hand grips, golden carpeting edged in white, gold-colored switchgear. An 11-speaker sound system with a BOSS four-way Hi-Fi 1600-watt amplifier and trunk subwoofer brings the noise.

Elvis III is not just visually breathtaking; it's an award-winning masterpiece. Just after arriving in the United States, it captured both the Sacramento Autorama Custom d'Elegance Best of Show "Custom d'Elegance" trophy and "Most Fashionable Car" award at Rodeo Drive Concours d'Elegance. Furthermore, it is noted to have captured further awards at a multitude of other shows including the Carmel Mission Classic among others. After a year of touring the show circuit, Elvis III joined the Academy of Art University Collection in 2016 and has appeared on display at AAU events and the 2016 Hillsborough Concours d'Elegance.

This Cadillac is more than a car, it's a tribute to custom car craftsmanship channeled through the supreme showman-Elvis. It's an embodiment of custom car culture and a celebration of artistic excellence. Perhaps even more crucial, it is an unrivalled opportunity to not only acquire a literal showstopping prize winner, but an international effort designed by automotive legend John D'Agostino and executed by his team at Celebrity Kustoms Italy.