Elvis's Tour Bus: A Museum Exhibit

Elvis Presley's tour bus has been a topic of much discussion and speculation over the years, with conflicting claims about its ownership, use, and whereabouts. While some sources claim that the bus was used by Elvis himself, others assert that it belonged to J.D. Sumner and The Stamps Quartet, with Elvis only providing the down payment. The bus, a custom-designed 1976 MCI Crusader dubbed the Taking Care of Business (TCB) Bus, is currently on display at Motor Home Specialist in Alvarado, Texas, and is occasionally open to the public for viewing. However, there are also reports of the bus being exhibited at Graceland and being part of the Elvis Heights Museum in Tupelo, adding to the confusion surrounding its history and authenticity.

Elvis's tour bus is currently on display at Graceland

Elvis Presley's tour bus is currently on display at Graceland. The bus, a 1959 Flxible VL 100 Coach, was customised for road tours by George Barris in California and purchased by Elvis in 1959. He used the bus until 1967, usually driving it himself.

In 1968, Elvis sold the bus to Herb Shriner, an entertainer known as the "Hoosier Hotshot." Unfortunately, Mr. and Mrs. Shriner were killed in an accident in Florida before they could use it. The bus was eventually purchased by its current owner in 1977, just before Elvis' death, and is now on loan for exhibit at Graceland.

The exterior of the bus remains nearly identical to when Elvis owned it, with a paint scheme designed to keep him and his group discreet while travelling. The interior, however, was refurbished after a minor fire in 1970. The bus is powered by a 190 C Turbo Cummins Diesel engine and features a lead-lined floor to reduce motor and road noise.

The driving area is equipped with a special double fold-down co-pilot seat, a cassette player, a stereo 8-track player, a PA unit, a 23-Channel CB, a digital alarm clock, an altimeter, inside and outside thermometers, and an automatic electric step with light. The front lounge area includes two swivel recliner chairs and a couch that opens into a double bed.

The galley is elaborately equipped with an electric range, oven, rotisserie, refrigerator, garbage disposer, trash compactor, built-in electric can opener, toaster, vacuum, dining bar, storage cabinets, and a double stainless steel sink. The bath area features a full shower, marine commode, vanity, and medicine cabinet, while the bedroom-dressing area offers a queen-size bed, full-length closets, a vanity, a full-length mirror, and a solid privacy door.

Elvis Presley's tour bus, currently on display at Graceland, provides a fascinating glimpse into the life and travels of the iconic singer during his heyday.

The bus was custom-built to Elvis's specifications

Elvis Presley's last tour bus, the "Taking Care of Business" (TCB) Bus, was custom-built to the singer's specifications. Purchased in 1976 for $160,000, the 1976 MCI Crusader was designed to accommodate twelve people and included nine sleeping berths. The interior and exterior were customised with Presley's signature TCB lightning bolt logo.

The bus was purchased for Presley's backing singers in The TCB Band, which was led by his close friend and mentor, J.D. Sumner. Presley himself drove the bus on at least two occasions, including its inaugural journey. On this first trip, Presley drove the bus out of Graceland and into the country, and, upon realising he didn't know how to turn the large vehicle around, drove into a cornfield and then back out again.

The TCB Bus was put up for auction at Julien's Auction House in May 2015, where it sold for $268,000. It was purchased by Motor Home Specialist, who plan to build a museum to house the bus and other Elvis memorabilia. The bus is currently located in Alvarado, Texas, and is occasionally open to the public for viewing.

The bus features a range of amenities, including a driving area with a double fold-down co-pilot seat, a cassette player, a stereo 8-track player, a PA unit, a 23-Channel CB, a digital alarm clock, an altimeter, an inside and outside thermometer, and an automatic electric step with a light. The front lounge area includes two swivel recliner chairs and a couch that opens into a double bed. The galley is equipped with an electric range, an oven, a rotisserie, a refrigerator, a garbage disposer, a trash compactor, a built-in electric can opener, a built-in four-slice toaster, a built-in vacuum, a dining bar, storage cabinets, and a double stainless steel sink. The bath area includes a full shower, a marine commode, a vanity, and a medicine cabinet. The sleeping area features a queen-size bed, two full-length closets, additional storage areas, a vanity, a full-length mirror, and a solid privacy door.

It was purchased by Elvis in 1976 for $160,000

Elvis Presley, the King of Rock 'n' Roll, purchased a 1976 MCI Crusader bus in 1976 for $160,000. He dubbed it the "Taking Care of Business" (TCB) Bus, which was custom-designed to his specifications. The bus featured his signature TCB lightning bolt logo and had several unique amenities, including sleeping berths and a quiet motor. It was initially purchased for his supporting singers in The TCB Band, led by his close friend and mentor, J.D. Sumner.

The TCB Bus is now a piece of music history and has changed hands several times since Elvis's death. In 2015, it was sold at Julien's Auction House for $268,000, with copies of the original $25,000 check provided by Elvis for the down payment. The current owners, Motor Home Specialist in Alvarado, Texas, occasionally open the bus to the public for viewing. They are also planning to build a museum to house the bus and other Elvis memorabilia.

While there are conflicting claims and stories about Elvis's use of the bus, it is clear that it holds a special place in the history of rock 'n' roll and continues to attract fans and enthusiasts alike.

Elvis was known to have a deep love for his cars and buses, and this particular purchase showcases his support for his band and his desire to travel in style and comfort. The TCB Bus is a testament to his larger-than-life persona and his impact on popular culture.

The bus features a galley, bathroom, and sleeping area

The last tour bus that Elvis Presley, also known as the King of Rock and Roll, toured in is currently located in Alvarado, Texas. The custom-designed 1976 MCI Crusader, dubbed the "Taking Care of Business" (TCB) Bus, was purchased by Elvis in 1976 for his supporting singers in The TCB Band, led by his close friend and mentor J.D. Sumner. It features a galley, bathroom, and sleeping area, providing a glimpse into the life of Elvis and his band on the road.

The TCB Bus is an impressive vehicle with a range of amenities. Behind the driving area and the front lounge, the galley is elaborately equipped. It features an electric range with an oven and rotisserie, a refrigerator, a garbage disposer, a trash compactor, a built-in electric can opener, a four-slice toaster, a built-in vacuum, a dining bar, storage cabinets, and a double stainless steel sink. This galley area allowed Elvis and his band to prepare meals and spend time together during their travels.

The bathroom, or bath area, in the TCB Bus offers a comfortable and functional space. It includes a full shower, a marine commode, a vanity, and a medicine cabinet. This private and well-equipped bathroom provided the band with convenience and comfort while on tour.

The sleeping area in the TCB Bus is designed to accommodate the band's needs. It features a queen-size bed, two full-length closets, additional storage areas, a vanity, a full-length mirror, and a solid privacy door. With these sleeping arrangements, the band could rest and recharge during their travels, ensuring they were well-rested for their performances.

The TCB Bus showcases the thoughtful design and amenities that Elvis incorporated to ensure a comfortable and functional space for his band. The galley, bathroom, and sleeping area reflect the band's life on the road, providing a unique insight into their touring experiences. Visitors to the Motor Home Specialist in Alvarado, Texas, can explore these areas and imagine the stories and memories created within the confines of the TCB Bus during Elvis's legendary career.

The bus is powered by a 190 C Turbo Cummins Diesel engine

Elvis Presley's tour bus, now on display at Graceland, is powered by a 190 C Turbo Cummins Diesel engine. The bus, which Presley purchased in 1959, is a 1959 Flxible VL 100 Coach that was customised for road tours by George Barris in California. It has a 140-gallon fuel tank, is eleven feet high, and weighs 14 tons.

The 190 C Turbo Cummins Diesel engine is a powerful and reliable engine that was commonly used in commercial vehicles such as buses and trucks during the mid-20th century. It is known for its durability and performance, making it a popular choice for vehicles that require a lot of power and torque.

The engine in Elvis Presley's tour bus is paired with a V8 Diesel engine that produces around 275 horsepower. This combination provides the bus with ample power and torque to handle the weight of the vehicle and all of its amenities.

The bus is equipped with a range of features that require a significant amount of power. For example, the bus has a fully-equipped galley with an electric range, oven, rotisserie, refrigerator, garbage disposer, trash compactor, built-in electric can opener, built-in four-slice toaster, and a built-in vacuum. There is also a sleeping area with nine sleeping berths, a queen-size bed, and a full-size bathroom. All of these features require a significant amount of power, which is provided by the 190 C Turbo Cummins Diesel engine.

The engine also plays a crucial role in keeping the bus comfortable and quiet for its passengers. The floor of the bus is lead-lined, which helps to reduce motor and road noise. This ensures that the passengers can travel in comfort, without being disturbed by loud engine noises.

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