Any record of which VIN were test-driven in Bellevue before production?

[S-2000 Roadster]

I fondly recall signing up for a test-drive of a Tesla Roadster in Bellevue. This was held in the parking lot of a Sears store that had been closed for some time. I didn't know anything about VP or other VIN numbering schemes at the time, but now I'm wondering whether anyone has a record of which car(s) Tesla brought to Bellevue. These test drives were available only to folks who had put the $60,000 down payment on a Roadster, but you were allowed to invite a guest (which I did, of course). As far as I recall, this was before any of the Roadster 1.5 models shipped. I assume that it was a validation prototype, but I really don't know. Does anyone know?

 

[slcasner]

If it was silver, good chance it was VP 10. That's the one that I drove as one of the first Signature 100 member drive opportunities in the hills near Tesla HQ on August 27, 2007.

 

[Zak]

If it was silver, good chance it was VP 10. That's the one that I drove as one of the first Signature 100 member drive opportunities in the hills near Tesla HQ on August 27, 2007.

VP 11 was definitely there that day (Thunder Gray). I can't recall if there was a second car. There was a different car planned but it had an issue on the way up North. It was a long couple of days for the team transporting the car.

 

[Zak]

btw - That car had a functioning 2-speed transmission, which was lots of fun and one of the few times "the public" got to experience the car that way.

 

[S-2000 Roadster]

by the time I got in the car, the 2-speed was locked into low. I recall them suggesting that I not change gears because it might not go back.
Thunder Gray seems right. I recall it wasn't bright.
I was one of the last test drivers, and I convinced them to let me take my Honda S2000 around the track after everyone was done. Very different without the traction control of the Tesla!

 

[S-2000 Roadster]

Anybody remember the date? I could possibly find out if I haven't deleted the emails from that time.

DRIVE SLOT TIMES
Friday September 26th, 2008
5:00PM
6:00PM

Saturday September 27th, 2008
9:00AM
10:00AM
11:00AM
12:00AM
1:00PM <- my time slot

Sunday September 28th, 2008
9:00AM
10:00AM
11:00AM
12:00PM
1:00PM

 

[S-2000 Roadster]

Xconomy: Test Driving the Tesla Roadster, and Glimpsing the Future of Electric Cars

The idea of electric vehicles is in the crisp Northwest air these days---and the vehicles are on the road. Earlier this week, we reported that

xconomy.com

This confirms my recollection that there was no shifting. But the gear shift was visible, so I don't know why the author says "no stick shift" - maybe he meant the verb sense, not the noun sense, of that phrase.