Psychedelic Janis Joplin Porsche 356 C Sells For $1.76 Million At Auction


A 1964 Porsche 356 C 1600 SC Cabriolet once owned by Janis Joplin has sold at auction for $1.76 million, according to the Times Colonist. The Janis Joplin Porsche 356 C had been given an estimated pre-sale value ranging between $400,000 and $600,000 by auction house Sotheby’s. Joplin’s brother and sister state that the proceeds have been earmarked for “social programs in Janis’ memory.”

Janis Joplin family sell psychedelic Porsche.
Janis Joplin performs in 1967. [Photo by Tucker Ransom/Getty Images]

“Her music, life and car are a part of rock and roll history,” Janis’ brother Michael Joplin was quoted by the Inquisitr with regard to the car in September when the Joplin family first announced that they would be putting it up for sale.

The car had reportedly been owned by Joplin’s brother and sister since the death of the acclaimed rock and blues singer in 1970.

“Like most people and their car of choice, her Porsche is a direct link to Janis.”

Janis’ Porsche was said to have originally come with white paint. However, she commissioned the psychedelic paint job after reportedly deeming the factory finish to be too boring, according to ABC.

Janis Joplin's Porsche as been sold at auction for $1.7 million.
A close-up of the hood of the psychedelic Joplin Porsche 356 C. [Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images]

CNN reports that, generally speaking, previous celebrity ownership doesn’t add much value to a car. With Janis’s car, however, fans are willing to pay a premium because of its uniqueness and how closely the singer was associated with it. When she was alive, fans would recognize the car and leave the singer adoring notes underneath the windshield wipers.

Sadly, when she died of a heroin overdose at the age of 27 in a Los Angeles hotel, people knew where to find her because the famous and easily recognizable car was parked outside.

The car was left to Joplin’s brother and sister, Michael and Laura, who kept the famous Porsche, sharing it for over 30 years. At one point, the original paint began to fade and peel, so they had it painted gray. Later, working from photos, professionals restored the car using more durable, weather-resistant paint.

The now-restored Porsche 356 C is reported to be in good working order and packs 95 horsepower.

Janis Joplin's family has sold her psychedelic Porsche.
Janis Joplin in April 1969. [Photo by Stroud/Express/Getty Images]

Janis Joplin’s “breakthrough” moment is said to have been in 1967 at the Monterey Pop Festival, according to Rolling Stone. While playing “Ball and Chain,” which would later become a huge hit, with her band Big Brother and the Holding Company, Mama Cass Elliot was filmed mouthing the word “Wow.”

Joplin’s abilities as a vocalist were as breathtaking as they were unique. No singer’s voice could ever be confused with Janis Joplin’s. The reception of fans to Joplin at Monterey resulted in her being invited and subsequently performing at Woodstock and in the Festival Express, a train tour across Canada in 1970 featuring Joplin, the Grateful Dead, and the Band, among other groups.

All Music calls Janis Joplin “the greatest” white female rock singer of the 1960s. She was reportedly drawn to rock and blues after finding it difficult to fit into the conservative community in her hometown of Port Arthur, Texas.

Janis Joplin's Porsche 356C with psychedelic paintjob sold at auction for $1.7 million.
[Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images]

Joplin’s life is described as a “roller coaster of drug addiction, alcoholism, and volatile personal relationships.” She would never see fans’ reaction to, or the legacy left by, her final album, Pearl, which was not released until 1971 after Janis’ tragic death. The album contained some of her best tracks, including “Me and Bobby McGee,” “Mercedes Benz,” and “Get It While You Can.”

Pearl peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, and “Me and Bobby McGee” peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard 100. Janis Joplin’s music continues to find an audience. YouTube videos featuring Joplin garner millions of views.

Joplin was born on January 19, 1943. If she was still alive today, she would be 72-years-old. Other Joplin 60s contemporaries, such as Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, remain active in the music industry, as reported by the Inquisitr. Many would likely not be surprised to see Joplin, if she were still alive today, touring and playing sold-out shows to astounded fans.

[Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images]

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