Janice Joplin's 1964 Porsche Sold For $1.76 Million; Will Siblings Really Donate Auction Proceeds?
Rock singer Janice Joplin's 1964 Porsche, was sold at an auction for $1.76 million Thursday night, according to CNN Money.
The car was previously estimated at $400,000 and $600,000 and included in the computation is the 10% commission for RM Sotheby's, an auction firm.
In 1968, Joplin purchased the 1964 Porsche and had a mural painted on it from end to end.
The mural showed landscapes, floating eyes, birds, mushrooms, butterflies and skull-like faces, revealed Billboard.
A celebrity ownership does not add value to a car, but Janice Joplin's 1964 Porsche exceeded expectations with regard to value. It even is considered the highest paid Porsche 356 at any auction.
In a previous record, $1.5 million was paid for a 1956 Porsche GS Carrera Speedster in August 2013, shared Hagerty Insurance. This particular company insures collector cars. The 1956 GS Carrera Speedster was rare and had been driven only 20,000 miles. It also was meticulously restored.
Last year a car like Joplin's, a 1964 Porsche 356 SC Cabriolet was sold at auction price and only fetched $341,000.
"Janis drove everywhere, all around San Francisco and down to Los Angeles when she was recording there," said the singer's sister Laura Joplin, who is a biographer. "Wherever Janis went in the car, her fans recognized it," cited CBS News.
Janice Joplin's drove her Porsche a lot and fans would leave notes tucked under the wiper. Joplin beat records when it came to selling collector cars. RM Sotheby's tweeted the sale.
SOLD!! Queen of Rock @Janisjoplin 's psychedelic #Porsche sells for a record $1.76 million @sothebys NY #worldrecord https://t.co/jOO4b6c5Zv
— RM Sotheby's (@rmsothebys) December 11, 2015
People knew where to find Joplin on the day she died of an overdose because her Porsche was parked in the garage. She passed away at the age of 27 in 1970.
The car went to her siblings, Laura and Michael Joplin, which they shared for approximately 30 years. After years of use, the car's paint started to come off so they painted it in a light gray color.
"We needed to save the car," said Michael.
The underside of the fuel filler door has a face and it is part of the original work. This remains uncovered.
Working with original photographs, the siblings had other artists restore the original work. This time, the paint used would last.
Michael and Laura loaned the Porsche in 1995 to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland. The car has remained there for 20 years.
In Janice Joplin's memory, her siblings plan to use the auction's proceeds to support social programs.
