One of Janis Joplin's best-known songs goes like this: 'Oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes-Benz? My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends.' Instead of a Mercedes-Benz, however, the singer actually drove the famed psychedelic 1965 Porsche convertible that will go up for sale in New York in December.
RM Sotheby's, a famous auction house, just confirmed that Joplin's car will go on the auction block on Dec. 10 in New York City. The Porsche 356C 1600 Cabriolet is expected to fetch at least six figures: $400,000.
The late singer bought the luxury car in September 1968. However, it seemed that Joplin found the car's original white finish too lackluster. She had then reportedly asked a friend to customize her car with a psychedelic mural. The car then ended up covered with images of jellyfish and butterflies, along with a portrait of the singer and her band.
"Janis Joplin's 356C is without question one of the most important Porsches of all time," states Ian Kelleher of Sotheby's, adding that it is an amazing car that cuts across pop culture, art, as well as social movements. He said that the car is as innovative and spectacular as its famous owner.
The automobile was usually driven by the singer until she passed away due to a drug overdose in 1970.
"Janis drove everywhere, all around San Francisco and down to Los Angeles when she was recording there," recounted Laura Joplin, the singer's sister. "Wherever Janis went in the car, her fans recognized it. When she parked it and returned, there was always at least one note under the wipers."
Joplin resided in North Beach, San Francisco. She bought a house on Lyon Street in the Haight.
After the singer died, the vehicle was driven by Albert Grossman, her manager. The Porsche was then owned by Joplin's family and it was restored in the early 1990s, according to sources. In 1995, it was displayed at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
