1964 Porsche 356 C 1600 SC Cabriolet
Janis Joplin
The soon to be owner of
this 1964 Porsche 356 C 1600 SC Cabriolet will be getting more than piece of
Joplin’s life, they will also be getting a relic from Porsche’s rich history.
The 356 marque was Porsche’s first
production vehicle and the design of Ferdinand ‘Ferry’ Porsche, the son of
Ferdinand Porsche Senior, Engineer and Inventor. The initial 356’s, sold mainly
in Austria and Germany, were 1.1-liter air cooled flat-four engines putting out
40-hp; they went from nought to 60-mph in 14 seconds and achieved top speeds of
84-mph. Today these specs do not inspire, and this car definitely won’t leave
you shaking in your boots after a first ride. However, this little Volkswagen
derivative quickly made its way into the hearts of many sport car enthusiasts
as a result of its agile handling, comfort and reliability.
Fast forward to 1963 when the first 356C
were manufactured, the 356 had undergone various changes which spanned the 356
A and B model era. Some included: upgraded suspension and steering, revised
styling and upgrades to the chassis and engine.
By the time we get to Joplin’s initially
pearl white, but now noticeably a kaleidoscopic ode to her free spirit, we have
a vehicle that puts out 95-hp, with reported top factory top speed of 113-mph,
on a 1.6 liter OHV air-cooled flat-four with four speed manual
transmission and independent front and rear suspension.
The 356C marque became the final chapter
for the 356 line developed by Porsche and paved the way for the real MVP and
true legend of Porsche, the 911. The car of the late Queen of Psychedelic Soul
who crooned for a Mercedes-Benz in her 1970 song entitled the same, will be up
for grabs on December 10th in New York at RM Sotheby’s Driven
by Disruption auction later this year. The car is expected to fetch
over US$ 400,000, and for a car of such historical and sentimental value anything
less would be surprising.
