You’ve maybe heard of the unique Tesla Roadster, the automobile that began Tesla and the EV revolution. Now, a Roadster you in all probability haven’t heard of is on the market – a one-of-a-kind prototype for a efficiency bundle that by no means noticed the sunshine of day.
Replace: The automobile has now been listed for public sale on Vehicles & Bids. The public sale ends July fifteenth at 10:30AM PDT.
Just lately, we received an e-mail tip about an unique Tesla Roadster which the homeowners had been about to place up on the market.
Usually, we wouldn’t write an article simply because somebody is making an attempt to promote any previous automobile, even a Roadster (that stated, I’m pondering of promoting mine). However this e-mail stood out as a result of it got here from Jamison Cummings, Tesla’s Chief Technician from the Roadster days, and it was a couple of notably particular Roadster – and one which most individuals haven’t heard of.
The automobile, a Tesla Roadster Sport with VIN #1124, was initially purchased from Tesla in 2012, then was broken in an accident and reacquired by Tesla. Tesla’s VP of Service on the time, Joost de Vries, acquired the automobile and it was repaired and rebuilt below the supervision of Carl Medlock, who on the time was the supervisor of Tesla’s Seattle service location, and who now runs one of many solely third-party Roadster restore outlets within the US, Medlock and Sons (Medlock at present co-owns the automobile together with Cummings).
After being repaired internally by Tesla, de Vries had the thought to develop a efficiency bundle for Tesla Roadsters, with the objective of arising with a approach that service could possibly be made worthwhile – a directive management had established for him. An after-purchase efficiency bundle can be a method to carry income in by service departments.
The undertaking by no means ended up being launched as an choice to the general public, however the Roadster in query, which was going to be known as both “Roadster RR” or “Roadster E-Sport” nonetheless assembled a big listing of customized beauty and efficiency modifications:
- Tarox Italian Efficiency Brakes Entrance and Rear (just one of three automobiles recognized to be geared up with this technique)
- Customized ABS Flash engineered to work seamlessly with the Tarox Braking System, developed by Continental (additionally 1 of three)
- Hollinger Restricted Slip Differential custom-made for EV torque (certainly one of 2)
- Customized Tuned Bilstein Efficiency Sport Suspension (sole unit)
- Customized Roadster RR camber plates and dealing with bundle
- Hand-laid uncooked carbon bodywork, making it the one uncooked carbon Roadster in existence
Probably the most putting characteristic is that final one, with your complete physique clear-coated reasonably than painted, making the fibers of the carbon fiber seen on all physique panels besides the bumpers (that are plastic). The Roadster has a carbon fiber physique usually, but it surely’s normally painted, with the carbon fiber solely seen on the roll bar (and presumably a number of different components of the physique, relying on choice kits).
The bundle was proposed to price $30,000, and would come with a number of efficiency upgrades. However the undertaking by no means completed on account of adjustments in management, so it was by no means supplied to the general public, and this ended up being the one prototype.
Whereas there are different custom-made Roadsters on the market, this one occupies the distinctive house of being “manufacturing facility custom-made,” a minimum of to some extent. Whereas it didn’t initially come out of the manufacturing facility like that, the work was performed below Tesla’s purview after the actual fact, with the intent of being an official producer improve bundle – although the undertaking was additionally controversial inside Tesla, as there have been accusations of overspending and the bundle by no means ended up seeing the sunshine of day.
The automobile went on to be owned by de Vries till it was purchased by Cummings and Medlock in 2022. Because the battery had died, the automobile was given a brand new “Roadster 3.0” 80kWh pack, and has been pushed lower than 100 miles on the brand new battery. In any other case, the automobile has round 31,600 miles complete, most of which had been utilized earlier than the rework was accomplished.
To search out out extra about this particular Roadster, go to the automobile’s web site or try the public sale on Vehicles & Bids. Inside documentation in regards to the undertaking shall be offered to the client.