“It isn’t just a showpiece – it’s a symbol of American creativity and culture”: In the ’70s, Elvis owned a 41-foot Cadillac in the shape of a guitar – after years of neglect, it's now being restored to its former glory

This is an image of Elvis's Guitar Car from a period magazine article about the car, as you can see from that front license plate, it was registered for normal road use.

It’s a truth universally acknowledged that there’s a strong through line between guitars and cars – with the Fender finishes inspired by the automotive industry immediately springing to mind. So it comes as no surprise that Elvis had a “Guitar Car” – a 41-foot Cadillac literally shaped like a giant guitar, which is now being restored inside Florida's Dezerland Park.

When the car arrived earlier this year, after decades away from American soil, it was far from reflecting its former glory. Now, Jaime Figueroa – Dezerland Park’s general manager and a former certified mechanic – and a team of classic car enthusiasts are deep into bringing it back to life.