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 package deal 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.
Just lately, we acquired an electronic mail tip about an unique Tesla Roadster which the house owners have been about to place up on the market.
Usually, we wouldn’t write an article simply because somebody is attempting to promote any previous automotive, even a Roadster (that stated, I’m pondering of promoting mine). However this electronic 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 few notably 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 the moment co-owns the automotive together with Cummings).
After being repaired internally by Tesla, de Vries had the thought to develop a efficiency package deal for Tesla Roadsters, with the purpose of developing with a means that service may very well be made worthwhile – a directive management had established for him. An after-purchase efficiency package deal could be a option to deliver income in via service departments.
The challenge 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 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 package deal
- Hand-laid uncooked carbon bodywork, making it the one uncooked carbon Roadster in existence
Probably the most putting characteristic is that final one, with the whole 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 often painted, with the carbon fiber solely seen on the roll bar (and probably a couple of different components of the physique, relying on choice kits).
The package deal was proposed to value $30,000, and would come with a number of efficiency upgrades. However the challenge 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 personalized Roadsters on the market, this one occupies the distinctive house of being “manufacturing facility personalized,” at the least to some extent. Whereas it didn’t initially come out of the manufacturing facility like that, the work was executed beneath Tesla’s purview after the actual fact, with the intent of being an official producer improve package deal – although the challenge was additionally controversial inside Tesla, as there have been accusations of overspending and the package deal 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 complete, most of which have been utilized earlier than the rework was accomplished.
To search out out extra about this particular Roadster, go to the automotive’s web site or take a look at the public sale on Automobiles & Bids. Inner documentation in regards to the challenge might be supplied to the customer.
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