The return of #483

[josh-io]

It's been a long journey for Roadster #483 since I bought her in November 2015 with 110,000 (!) miles.

Donald, the previous owner, took incredible care of her. Which was a relief, since I bought her with not much more information than the picture you see above.

Unfortunately—three months after getting her, a pickup truck slammed into her on the left, and pushed her into a parked car on the right. Chilton Auto Body had to replace half the carbon fiber body panels, and repaint the entire car. She was unrecognizable during the repair:

But six months and $25,000 later, she came out looking brand new.

Since then, I added a hardtop and some other upgrades. Most notable was a vinyl design based on the Tag Heuer Roadster. The work was done by Film Werkz in San Jose. Daniel there is amazing.

So, one year after becoming her owner, here she is.

 

[Ormond]

Reborn like the Phoenix!

 

[johnnyS]

The new look is great!

 

[ww73]

Wow. That looks great!

 

[kavyboy]

Gorgeous!

 

[Msjulie]

I really like both of those roadsters!

 

[ecarfan]

Wow. I love it, and I usually don't like added on graphic designs. Very impressive. And I'm amazed that you could repair your car for the price you stated. I take it the frame was not damaged?

 

[jbadger]

Wow, that came out beautifully!

 

[ViperDoc]

Now that is sweet. I particularly like the red accent lines!

 

[Lloyd]

Great Paint job!! Who did the design?

 

[purplewalt]

Last September (2015), I met the owner in Delaware, NJ or MD while my car was charging at a Supercharger, and he was about to hit 100K miles.
Very nice man, hope he was able to find another car as fun and durable.

Really think the graphics and touches of color you have added are stunning.
Hope you enjoy driving it after its Rebirth.

Sometimes great things are born by what some my see as obstacles.

 

[josh-io]

Wow. I love it, and I usually don't like added on graphic designs. Very impressive. And I'm amazed that you could repair your car for the price you stated. I take it the frame was not damaged?

Correct—no frame damage. As much as a hassle as it was, the accident worked out really well (for the car).

 

[josh-io]

Great Paint job!! Who did the design?

I started with the Tag Heuer Roadster and made some modifications. Daniel at Film Werkz was amazing. He sent me a photo almost every time he laid a piece of vinyl. Here's a progress photo he took. It was a fun, super collaborative process.

 

[josh-io]

Last September (2015), I met the owner in Delaware, NJ or MD while my car was charging at a Supercharger, and he was about to hit 100K miles.
Very nice man, hope he was able to find another car as fun and durable.

Really think the graphics and touches of color you have added are stunning.
Hope you enjoy driving it after its Rebirth.

Sometimes great things are born by what some my see as obstacles.

Wow, you met him. That's awesome. He did find another great car—a Model S.

 

[DeedWest]

This looks excellent! What a fantastic way to keep 483 alive and turning heads even more! I'm thrilled she was revived after that accident. The skeleton photo without body panels was upsetting to see, but the result made up for it tenfold.

The more Roadsters over 100,000 miles that stay on the road, the happier I am!

 

[JayBee7]

nice, excellent colour scheme and vinyl, are you going to add the rear badges back on?

 

[josh-io]

nice, excellent colour scheme and vinyl, are you going to add the rear badges back on?

I am, definitely. And a couple more Tesla logos will be added on in vinyl. I don't want people thinking it's a Lotus.

 

[JayBee7]

good to hear please keep the pictures coming

 

[echo7tango]

I saw this car on Friday afternoon 3/3 around 5pm, on Hwy 85 south in Cupertino. Great looking car, it really caught my eye. Nicely done.

 

[josh-io]

I saw this car on Friday afternoon 3/3 around 5pm, on Hwy 85 south in Cupertino. Great looking car, it really caught my eye. Nicely done.

My commute home! And thank you!