RENNLIST EXCLUSIVE: Janis Joplin’s 1964 Porsche Returns Home

By Brett Foote - June 7, 2017

Rolling work of art is back in Michigan after shattering auction record.

One of the most easily recognizable cars in the world, legendary rocker Janis Joplin‘s Porsche has experienced quite the ride in recent years. It all culminated last weekend under a beautiful Western Michigan summer sky as the car enjoyed a homecoming of sorts. After spending some time on display at Hickory Corners’ Gilmore Car Museum as part of its 2016 exhibit “The Golden Age of Sports Cars, 1949-1967,” the 1964 Porsche 356C Cabriolet returned to the grounds of North America’s largest automotive museum. And Rennlist was on hand to witness that return.

Funny thing is, the rolling work of art wasn’t even supposed to be there. The original plan was to have noted car collector and best selling novelist Clive Cussler serve as Grand Marshal of the 31st annual Classic Car Club of America Experience. But health issues negated his appearance, so the Gilmore needed another famous figure to lead the parade of extraordinary classic cars.

Joplin’s Porsche was an obvious choice for a number of reasons. For one, it’s perhaps the most iconic art car in the world today. Secondly, its new owner resides right down the road near Gull Lake. And, of course, the 356 recently called the Gilmore home when it starred in the museum’s “Golden Age” showcase.

In 2015, Joplin’s Porsche hammered at an astounding $1.76 million at auction
— a stark contrast to the $3,500 she paid for it in 1968.

The Porsche was famously acquired by its new owner in 2015, shattering its pre-auction estimate of $400,000-$600,000 by hammering at an astounding $1.76 million. It’s a stark contrast to the $3,500 Joplin paid for the used car in 1968 — not to mention, an indicator of the magnitude of her enduring stardom following the rocker’s tragic death in 1970.

The 356’s calling card, other than its famous owner, is obviously the stunning artwork that covers its exterior. Joplin reportedly wasn’t a fan of the car’s original gray color, so she commissioned one of her band’s roadies, Dave Richards, to paint it. Richards began with a base coat of candy apple red before adding on a diverse array of graphics.

Those graphics include portraits of Joplin’s Big Brother and the Holding Company band members, floating eyes, butterflies, skulls, mushrooms, a depiction of the California Valley, Joplin’s astrological sign (Capricorn), and “The Eye of God.” Richards spent several months completing the masterpiece, which he dubbed “The History of the Universe.”

Despite the incredible detail and countless hours of labor spent on its paint job, Joplin drove the Porsche every day. The car itself spawned its own bit of fame, often collecting fan-written notes under its wiper blades. And even after its theft and a quick gray respray, Joplin was able to locate a specialist who restored the original finish.

‘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.’

“Janis drove [it] everywhere, all around San Francisco and down to Los Angeles when she was recording there,” Janice’s sister, Laura Joplin, told Sotheby’s in 2015. “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.”

Fittingly, the beloved Porsche was parked outside of Joplin’s Hollywood hotel the night she died on October 4, 1970 at age 27. Her manager, Albert Grossman, used it for a while before returning it to her siblings. Joplin’s brother repainted the car in its original color at one point, but the artwork was eventually recreated. For 20 years after that, the legendary 356 took up residence at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland before its auction.

And while many valuable and iconic cars rarely see the light of day once they land in the hands of the public, thankfully that hasn’t been the case with Janis Joplin’s Porsche. Its new owner couldn’t be happier to share the stunning ride with everyone, and we couldn’t be happier to partake. So if you ever find yourself in the rolling fields of Kalamazoo and Barry County, keep an eye out for the most unique (and most valuable) Porsche 356 you’ll ever see.