In 1968, Janis Joplin purchased a used 1965 Porsche 356c Cabriolet for $3500. Janis commissioned one of her roadies, Dave Richards, $500 to give her Porsche a psychedelic paint job. It took Richards a month to complete the paint job which he titled “The History of the Universe.” The car became one of the most recognizable vehicles in the San Francisco area as Janis was daily driving it everywhere. She often would return to her car after stops around town to find fan letters and small gifts placed on her windshield.
In 1969, her Porsche was stolen. The thief, recognizing his error, began spray painting over the mural. He was unable to finish the job before the car was recovered by police. With the help of a body shop, Richards was able to remove the offending paint with little damage to the artwork.
After Janis’ death in 1970, the car was used as a courtesy car by her manager Albert Grossman. During Grossman’s time with the vehicle it fell into disrepair and was later taken by Joplin’s brother Michael, who returned the car to its original condition by restoring the engine as well as returning the car to its original Dolphin Grey paint.
In the 1990s Joplin’s siblings Laura and Michael decided to return Janis’ Porsche to its psychedelic glory. They commissioned artists, Jana Mitchell and Amber Owen to replicate The “History of the Universe” mural work. The two artists used dozens of period photographs and recreated the one-of-a-kind paint job. The car was loaned to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995.
In 2015 the car was up for auction. The winning bid came in at $1.76 million breaking all previous records for the sale of any Porsche 356 sold at public auction. Sotheby’s did not release the name of the buyer, but it is said a 60 year old woman bought herself the Porsche for her birthday.
No-Text-7825 on
This is a damn crisp photo.
PerformanceActive407 on
Funny that she wrote “Oh Lord, won’t you buy me a Mercedes Benz? My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends”. 😂
AubreyEvangeline on
Bonus-she’s wearing the fur coat Southern Comfort gave he for supporting their liquor
ObsidianThril on
Thought she wanted a Benz? Oh well.
uggghhhggghhh on
She’s outside the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco.
VeloriaMist on
She was not willing to pay for a Benz.
Wanted a free one.
ObsidianKissxx on
I think it’s currently at the RnR hall of fame.. Edit: As several people have pointed out – it has traveled around..
riftwave77 on
HOW MANY CATS HAD TO DIE SO THAT JANIS COULD LOOK FLY?
campervanburen on
woof
Familiar-Risk-5937 on
I love this, way better than the Rolls Royce owned by John Lennon which was also psychedelic painted.
It’s amazing how her artistry and genius have stood the test of time. She was a unique and special performer. I always love watching the DVD of Monterrey Pop and seeing Cass Elliott exclaim “wow” over and over for her performance. It is heartbreaking the way her hometown folks treated her. She was so beloved throughout the world.
15 Comments
Legend. And total 60s look. RIP
In 1968, Janis Joplin purchased a used 1965 Porsche 356c Cabriolet for $3500. Janis commissioned one of her roadies, Dave Richards, $500 to give her Porsche a psychedelic paint job. It took Richards a month to complete the paint job which he titled “The History of the Universe.” The car became one of the most recognizable vehicles in the San Francisco area as Janis was daily driving it everywhere. She often would return to her car after stops around town to find fan letters and small gifts placed on her windshield.
In 1969, her Porsche was stolen. The thief, recognizing his error, began spray painting over the mural. He was unable to finish the job before the car was recovered by police. With the help of a body shop, Richards was able to remove the offending paint with little damage to the artwork.
After Janis’ death in 1970, the car was used as a courtesy car by her manager Albert Grossman. During Grossman’s time with the vehicle it fell into disrepair and was later taken by Joplin’s brother Michael, who returned the car to its original condition by restoring the engine as well as returning the car to its original Dolphin Grey paint.
In the 1990s Joplin’s siblings Laura and Michael decided to return Janis’ Porsche to its psychedelic glory. They commissioned artists, Jana Mitchell and Amber Owen to replicate The “History of the Universe” mural work. The two artists used dozens of period photographs and recreated the one-of-a-kind paint job. The car was loaned to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995.
In 2015 the car was up for auction. The winning bid came in at $1.76 million breaking all previous records for the sale of any Porsche 356 sold at public auction. Sotheby’s did not release the name of the buyer, but it is said a 60 year old woman bought herself the Porsche for her birthday.
This is a damn crisp photo.
Funny that she wrote “Oh Lord, won’t you buy me a Mercedes Benz? My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends”. 😂
Bonus-she’s wearing the fur coat Southern Comfort gave he for supporting their liquor
Thought she wanted a Benz? Oh well.
She’s outside the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco.
She was not willing to pay for a Benz.
Wanted a free one.
I think it’s currently at the RnR hall of fame.. Edit: As several people have pointed out – it has traveled around..
HOW MANY CATS HAD TO DIE SO THAT JANIS COULD LOOK FLY?
woof
I love this, way better than the Rolls Royce owned by John Lennon which was also psychedelic painted.
https://preview.redd.it/u3vhhd6bft7g1.jpeg?width=640&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9a6a4b31f3d3a9b5bc5a38cd366eab99aab60842
Nice, Palace of Fine Arts in the background, SF
It’s amazing how her artistry and genius have stood the test of time. She was a unique and special performer. I always love watching the DVD of Monterrey Pop and seeing Cass Elliott exclaim “wow” over and over for her performance. It is heartbreaking the way her hometown folks treated her. She was so beloved throughout the world.