We here at E3 Spark Plugs belive this just might be the grooviest automotive auction ever. A customized 1965 Porsche 365C 1600 Cabriolet that once belonged to iconic singer and songwriter Janis Joplin is up for sale at RM Sotheby’s in New York in December. Originally oyster white before its crazy colorful paint job, the ride is expected to fetch upward of £260,000 - that's $396,350 in US dollars.
Joplin purchased the car used in 1968 for a mere $3,500 and comissioned roadie Dave Roberts to give it a psychedelic revamp. The paint job dubbed "The History of the Universe" took a month to complete and quickly became one of the most recognizable sights in the San Francisco area where Joplin lived.
That paint job also proved a bit of an insurance policy. When the car was jacked in 1969, it quickly dawned on the theif that it would be easy to spot cruising the Golden City. So, he pulled a dumb-criminal move and spray painted it gray. Fortunately for Joplin fans and, ultimately, classic car buffs, the car was found and restored. In the years after Joplin's death in 1970, the ride was used by her manager and fell into disrepair before going back to her family and being fully restored. It's been on loan to Cleveland, Ohio's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame since 1995.
"Like most people and their car of choice, her Porsche is a direct link to Janis," said Michael Joplin, the singer’s brother. "She drove it everywhere … with the top down and her feathers flying. Her music, life and car are a part of rock 'n' roll history."
Joplin remains one of the top-selling musicians in the United States today.
Which Joplin tune would you most want to hear while cruising in her iconic ride? Post your thoughts on the E3 Spark Plugs Facebook Fan Page.
