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RIP #994

Tex EV

Member
Jul 20, 2015
252
406
Houston, TX
This is a long shot but...

Paging @Btr_ftw!

Rich, looking for another project? Not anywhere near as complicated as your previous work but could be a nice change of pace for you. Plus, you'd be helping get a piece of history back on the road. :D

His next video: "I bought a salvage Tesla Roadster and got it back on the road. Still no sign of the Model X I ordered in November."
 

olsch01

Member
Jan 17, 2018
11
0
Charlotte, NC
Well - it's up on eBay:
2010 Tesla Roadster Sport | eBay

Removing the damaged panels makes it look pretty doable - but that crack in the lower driverside windshield area is a tell tale sign, plus their "battery needs to be charged or replaced" comment makes things even more dire.

Great looking car- would love to see it saved.
 

X.l.r.8

Supporting Member
Feb 18, 2018
1,425
905
Toronto/Miami
On the original accident photos the front fender was directly inline with the crack in the screen. I remember the owner saying the chassis has cracked. I would love to see how bad as I'm not an expert but I'm comfortable at TIG aluminium welding and feel it could be repaired. Its going to be an project for someone, either it pays off or it becomes spare parts for the remaining roadsters. If I had the money free I would give it a go. it would also be a test bed for a redesign battery pack.
 

NomoC8

Member
Jul 30, 2013
196
9
Chi town
The chassis isn’t cracked. There was some damage to the carbon fiber “frame” around the windshield. Had to see in the pics. They have patched it somehow. The wind screen crack is from the fender pushing up into it.
 

Big_Pete1999

New Member
Feb 16, 2019
1
0
Denver, CO
The struggle is real....
This car being resuscitated knowing you likely can't get anything from Tesla (maybe not even the $30k battery pack), -OR- buying a running one in perfect condition for $40k. Sure, might not have a 3.0 upgrade, but they are gorgeous and running (any car selling site).

But that's why nobody is willing to pay more than a grand or two for that car, and if seller thinks they'll get more, they're fooling themselves. You'd likely have to get custom made body panels and everything and the new batteries and end up spending more in trying to get the car running, plus the price of the car, knowing running ones in perfect condition can be had for $40k
 

smorgasbord

Active Member
Jun 3, 2011
3,193
5,059
SF Bay Area
I'm wondering if a bunch of us Roadster owners should pool together to buy a couple of these unsalvageable vehicles for parts to keep our working vehicles alive down the road. Getting hit from behind is something we often have little control over, and while that's typically not fatal to the chassis like a front accident, having access to the rear bumper, trunk lid, etc. (or even the motor or PEM) may save the life of another Roadster.
 

X.l.r.8

Supporting Member
Feb 18, 2018
1,425
905
Toronto/Miami
Years ago I worked in a used speed parts shop, they brought unfinished projects, stripped them down and sold the parts on. The only problem was I would save 2 out of 3, I couldn't help myself, most needed welding or engines fitted properly or custom headers made. If this ever happened to roadsters you can guarantee I would want to save them all.
 
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X.l.r.8

Supporting Member
Feb 18, 2018
1,425
905
Toronto/Miami
I'm waiting to get clearance to try and get this car once again. I just found out I have a year to fix and RIV test a salvage roadster. Normally you only have 45 days and thats not enough to get Tesla to do their part. Fingers crossed I can bring this one back.
 

X.l.r.8

Supporting Member
Feb 18, 2018
1,425
905
Toronto/Miami
Yes, I’ll have to either use a broker to bid which I know they won’t accept, or buy a license. Either way I’m having to pay just to get in the game. I spoke to them previously and the price was on the higher side, I’m in a position to negotiate now so I’d like to see what it would take to go pick it up.
 

Roadster

JdeMO Powered
Dec 10, 2016
1,505
1,201
SoCal
Thunder "Blue". Thx Copart.

Screen Shot 2019-03-12 at 4.27.24 PM.png
 

X.l.r.8

Supporting Member
Feb 18, 2018
1,425
905
Toronto/Miami
Yes. It’s also on eBay, I offered what I thought was a fair price for a gamble and he respectfully said he couldn’t go that low. I assume it owes him a lot more than it’s worth.
 

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