You’ve maybe heard of the unique Tesla Roadster, the automotive that began Tesla and the EV revolution. Now, a Roadster you most likely 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 automotive has now been listed for public sale on Automobiles & Bids. The public sale ends July fifteenth at 10:30AM PDT.
Not too long ago, we received an e mail tip about an unique Tesla Roadster which the homeowners have 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Usually, we wouldn’t write an article simply because somebody is making an attempt to promote any outdated automotive, even a Roadster (that mentioned, I’m pondering of promoting mine).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 significantly particular Roadster – and one which most individuals haven’t heard of.
The automotive, 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 automotive and it was repaired and rebuilt beneath 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 retailers within the US, Medlock and Sons (Medlock at present co-owns the automotive together with Cummings).
After being repaired internally by Tesla, de Vries had the concept to develop a efficiency bundle for Tesla Roadsters, with the aim of developing with a manner that service could possibly be made worthwhile – a directive management had established for him. An after-purchase efficiency bundle can be a strategy to deliver income in via 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 referred to as both “Roadster RR” or “Roadster E-Sport” nonetheless assembled a big record of customized beauty and efficiency modifications:
- Tarox Italian Efficiency Brakes Entrance and Rear (just one of three vehicles recognized to be outfitted 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 personalized for EV torque (one in all 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
Essentially the most hanging function is that final one, with the complete physique clear-coated moderately 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, nevertheless it’s often painted, with the carbon fiber solely seen on the roll bar (and presumably a number of different elements of the physique, relying on choice kits).
The bundle was proposed to value $30,000, and would come with a number of efficiency upgrades. However the undertaking by no means completed as a result of modifications 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 personalized Roadsters on the market, this one occupies the distinctive house of being “manufacturing facility personalized,” at the very least to some extent. Whereas it didn’t initially come out of the manufacturing facility like that, the work was completed beneath Tesla’s purview after the very 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 automotive went on to be owned by de Vries till it was purchased by Cummings and Medlock in 2022. For the reason that battery had died, the automotive 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 automotive has round 31,600 miles whole, most of which have been utilized earlier than the rework was accomplished.
To seek out out extra about this particular Roadster, go to the automotive’s web site or try the public sale on Automobiles & Bids. Inside documentation concerning the undertaking might be offered to the client.
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