Elvis Presley's abandoned Lockheed private jet up for auction: See photos

Sitting on an unused runway in Roswell, New Mexico, for almost 30 years is music legend Elvis Presley's abandoned 1962 Lockheed Jetstar. The private jet that has been lying idle for the last three decades will soon go under the hammer.

The jet is in the name of Presley and his father, Vernon Presley, and since the King died it has never been used. The interior of the plane — the red velvet seats, gold-tone hardware, woodwork, inlay and red carpet — was designed by Elvis and remains mostly intact.

The aircraft no doubt needs work to be able to be operational, unless the buyer decides to exhibit it. The plane's engine and control systems need work. The jet was produced at a time when Lockheed did not collaborate with Martin and most of its spare parts are likely to be non-existent in the market.

The winning bidder will receive original paperwork signed by Presley himself, which details his design plans for the plane. It is also the only other private jet that belonged to Elvis that is still privately owned. Two other jets are owned by the Elvis Presley Museum.

The bidding for the plane has commenced and will end on 27 May with the current auction rate standing at $429,000 (£33,4920) at the time of publishing this story. The auctioneers, Liveauctioneers, are hoping to sell it for between $2m and $3.5m.

Take a look at the photos of the jet below.