NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — The famous psychedelic Porsche convertible driven by late singing legend Janis Joplin is going up for sale.

Auction house RM Sotheby’s announced Tuesday that the Porsche 356C 1600 Cabriolet would go on the block on December 10 in New York and estimated the sale would generate more than US$400,000.

Joplin — who sang “Lord, won’t you buy me a Mercedes-Benz” in one of her best-known songs — had instead bought another German luxury car but found the 1965 Porsche’s original white finish too dull.

She had it painted red with a mural that included images of butterflies and jellyfish, as well as of Joplin and her band.

“Janis Joplin’s 356C is without question one of the most important Porsches of all time,” said Ian Kelleher, managing director of RM Sotheby’s West Coast Division.

“It’s a fantastic automobile that transcends art, pop culture and social movements, and is as groundbreaking and stunning as the renowned singer was herself,” he said in a statement.

Joplin constantly drove the car, which was parked outside the Hollywood hotel where she died of an overdose in 1970.

The Porsche has since belonged to Joplin’s family, which lent it to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland where it was on display from 1995 until this week after the family decided to sell it.