Unique vehicle, created for Elvis, to appear in Cody parade

Posted 6/27/19

On Monday, personnel with the Park County Sheriff’s Office were called upon to complete a very unique vehicle inspection. Out in the law enforcement center’s parking lot sat a 1971 …

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Unique vehicle, created for Elvis, to appear in Cody parade

Bob Ferguson recently moved to Cody from Connecticut and brought his ‘Nudiemobile’ with him. The 1971 Pontiac, customized by famed tailor Nudie Cohn and originally intended for Elvis Presley, will appear in next week’s Cody Stampede Parade. The Park County Sheriff’s Office snapped and shared pictures of the vehicle after Ferguson stopped by the office for a VIN inspection on Monday.

Photo courtesy Park County Sheriff’s Office

Posted Thursday, June 27, 2019 10:10 am

On Monday, personnel with the Park County Sheriff’s Office were called upon to complete a very unique vehicle inspection. Out in the law enforcement center’s parking lot sat a 1971 Pontiac known as a “Nudiemobile,” customized by famed rhinestone suit tailor Nudie Cohn.

The Pontiac is adorned with firearms (all non-functional) and features an ornate interior inlaid with western leather and silver dollars. A saddle sits between the two front seats, a couple of the car’s pedals feature horseshoes and the door locking mechanisms are a horse head instead of a standard knob. The back seat, meanwhile, features a colorful rendering of a covered wagon and cowboys astride bucking horses.

Owner Bob Ferguson said the Pontiac was customized especially for rock and roll legend Elvis Presley, but the superstar’s manager didn’t allow him to take delivery of the vehicle. A different musician, Buck Owens, wound up purchasing and using the vehicle, Ferguson said. It was auctioned off after Owens’ death.

Cohn customized around 18 “Nudiemobiles” between the mid-1950s and ’70s, but only eight still exist, Ferguson said.

The car draws attention. After the Park County Sheriff’s Office posted a series of pictures of the Pontiac on its Facebook page, the post drew more than 900 reactions and was shared more than 400 times; Ferguson said he’s previously been pulled over just so an officer could check out the vehicle.

Local folks wanting to see the Pontiac will be able to get a good look when it joins Cody Stampede Parade on Wednesday, July 3, and Thursday, July 4.

“We recently moved to Cody and I just had to bring it out here for the parade,” Ferguson said in a comment on the sheriff’s office’s Facebook page. “Hope you all enjoy!!!”