Janis Joplin and Her Psychedelic Porsche, Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco, 1968

Janis Joplin is captured here sitting atop her legendary hand-painted 1964 Porsche 356C in front of San Francisco landmark Palace of Fine Arts. When she bought the car in 1968, it was just a plain white production color, so she asked her friend and roadie for Big Brother and the Holding Company Dave Richards, to customize the car with a psychedelic mural. Called “History of the Universe,” the mural made the car so recognizable that it was somewhat difficult for Joplin to drive it without getting accosted by fans. Nonetheless she did just that, until her death in 1970 at the age of 27.

After her death, apparently the car went to her siblings who had it repainted in dolphin gray. Luckily, in 1995 they commissioned artists to restore/recreate the brightly colored mural and arranged to display the car at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for many years. In 2015 they decided to sell this famous Porsche at a Sotheby's auction, it went for $1.76 million! It had been estimated at between $400,000 - $600,000. 

Collector's Note:
This is a Limited Edition Estate Photograph produced by Jim Marshall Photography LLC in one size only. Each photograph is hand-numbered and bears the official estate seal on the reverse. Buyers will also receive a certificate of authenticity following delivery.

These beautiful fine art photographs are printed to order in San Francisco, please allow 2-4 weeks for delivery. Please contact us with questions!