Today's Roadster Orphan

[thinkspring]

I was also saddened to hear about this today. It got me thinking if some sort of "emergency escape" system could be created to separate burning cars during fires like this. I know Gruber's situation is unique, but as long as several li-ion battery cars are kept close together under one roof, it seems like there will always be an element of risk.

I just mocked up an (obviously far-fetched) concept to distance cars in the event of a fire. Maybe someone can think of something better, or can expand on this concept- or a conveyor-belt-in-floor type of concept- or something like that. » 30+ Original Tesla Roadsters lost in fire Rock The Machines

 

[X.l.r.8]

Simple concrete bays with separate fire suppression would work. We devised many charging systems for the mutant EV batteries. A lot of people used a BBQ pit type bay to charge the batteries in, some had them in a nylon bag suspended over a large water tank, the theory being containment rather then extinguish. To this day I charge my e-bike battery in an old cast BBQ. The best and probably the only way to charge a questionable ESS is out of the car and away from anything combustible, if its in the car you don't stand a chance of saving anything.

 

[rudholm]

If a battery is being recovered, that process should be done in isolation and never unsupervised. I imagine Pete, of all people, appreciates this fact. But he has said that this fire started in an electrical panel. I'm very curious how that happened without immediately tripping a breaker and how the fire was able to spread to the cars. The whole National Electrical Code revolves around not setting the building on fire. I'm also curious if the building had any fire suppression mechanisms and if there were any security cameras in there that may have captured how the fire began and progressed.

Given the size of the insurance claims, I imagine there will be a thorough investigation that will reveal these things.

 

[thinkspring]

I don't have any practical experience developing fire suppression (or if they exist, avoidance) systems, but I hope the folks who do are consulted before the next facility is built to work on Roadsters.

Thinking about this made me realize that the Roadster's modern-day cousins could potentially try to extricate themselves from a burning structure if they were able to know about the fire in time. I'm picturing a scene with a single-family home where a vehicle asks the garage door to open, rolls out and proceeds to flash it's lights & beep it's horn like a roving fire alarm- maybe trying to aim it's lights towards the homeowner's bedroom window, which could also help fire responders.

For power loss or closed garage doors that don't have a battery backup, maybe there could be a breach or 'burst mode', which obviously could be as dangerous as it sounds to whatever was outside in the driveway. But, even a low-speed torquey creep or a few taps might be enough to defeat the average homeowner's garage door. Seems like any body damage to a vehicle would be better than a li-ion battery fire.

Of course our beloved Roadsters have no such smarts, which is why I'm still thinking about some kind of system to quickly separate a group of them. Hopefully the next facility will employ something like the concrete bays X.l.r.8 mentioned.

 

[OakvilleMYP]

I don't have any practical experience developing fire suppression (or if they exist, avoidance) systems, but I hope the folks who do are consulted before the next facility is built to work on Roadsters.

Thinking about this made me realize that the Roadster's modern-day cousins could potentially try to extricate themselves from a burning structure if they were able to know about the fire in time. I'm picturing a scene with a single-family home where a vehicle asks the garage door to open, rolls out and proceeds to flash it's lights & beep it's horn like a roving fire alarm- maybe trying to aim it's lights towards the homeowner's bedroom window, which could also help fire responders.

For power loss or closed garage doors that don't have a battery backup, maybe there could be a breach or 'burst mode', which obviously could be as dangerous as it sounds to whatever was outside in the driveway. But, even a low-speed torquey creep or a few taps might be enough to defeat the average homeowner's garage door. Seems like any body damage to a vehicle would be better than a li-ion battery fire.

Of course our beloved Roadsters have no such smarts, which is why I'm still thinking about some kind of system to quickly separate a group of them. Hopefully the next facility will employ something like the concrete bays X.l.r.8 mentioned.

This works great unless the fire is caused by the vehicle, or if it catches on fire.

I can picture a vehicle driving erratically down the street trying to extinguish itself :|

 

[thinkspring]

This works great unless the fire is caused by the vehicle, or if it catches on fire.

I can picture a vehicle driving erratically down the street trying to extinguish itself :|

Agreed- I could think of many ways a system like this could fail horribly! I'd just never seen anyone mention the concept of a Tesla assisting with it's own escape (or it's owner's rescue), but given the ever-advancing state of FSD, less & less ideas seem like "impossible dreams" these days.

 

[carrotted]

VIN 306 (5YJRE11BX81000306, 2008 Roadster 1.5, Obsidian Black with Black/Red Diamond Quilted Leather Interior) listed on eBay in La Jolla, CA. Buy It Now price of 149,999.99 139,999.99

54,490 miles, three owners (WA 2009-2015, WA 2015-2017, CA 2017-2021), clean title, no accidents.

Includes hard top and convertible soft top, upgraded car stereo with Apple CarPlay, back-up camera, black powder coated rims, slow and fast charging cables.

Auction ends Friday October 29, 2021 at 12:03pm PDT
(Car was relisted with 10k reduction in Buy it Now price after reserve not met in previous auction @ $60,100 bid)

2008 Tesla Roadster | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 2008 Tesla Roadster at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[carrotted]

VIN 1222 (5YJRE1A10B1001222, 2011 Roadster 2.5, Electric Blue with Black/Gray/Yellow Leather interior) listed on Gruber Motors in Ocean Ridge, FL.

13,723 miles, 189mi range @ 85%

Includes hard top and convertible soft top, factory premium infotainment system with backup camera, CAN JR.

Asking $95,000 USD

Tesla Roadster | Gruber Motors

This Electric Blue Roaster with a soft and hard top is located in Ocean Ridge Florida. There is light discoloration on one side of the leather seat, which can be viewed in the photos, otherwise no scratches are on the outside, and it is a beautiful well taken care of Electric Blue Roadster with ...

grubermotors.com

 

[ChadS]

306 (two posts up) was the first Roadster I ever saw...at the 2009 reenactment of the 1909 Ocean to Ocean Endurance run mentioned HERE. (My Rav4-EV was parked just across the walkway from the Roadster).

I asked the owner (great guy!) if it did all that Tesla claimed, and he affirmed so I ordered one soon after.

Yeah, sorry, nobody cares about my good memories except me...

 

[OakvilleMYP]

306 (two posts up) was the first Roadster I ever saw...at the 2009 reenactment of the 1909 Ocean to Ocean Endurance run mentioned HERE. (My Rav4-EV was parked just across the walkway from the Roadster).

I asked the owner (great guy!) if it did all that Tesla claimed, and he affirmed so I ordered one soon after.

Yeah, sorry, nobody cares about my good memories except me...

I care!

 

[hcsharp]

Yeah, sorry, nobody cares about my good memories except me...

I enjoy hearing those memories. Today I met an original Roadster owner in my community and we both shared stories from the "old days" about how we discovered Tesla, early ownership experiences, etc. We're both very busy people but we took the time to listen to each other's stories and loved it!

 

[X.l.r.8]

Yeah, sorry, nobody cares about my good memories except me...

I think I care the most, but then I also benefitted the most. You made a good choice when you got 690.

 

[Stewie26]

I am putting my 2008 up for sale and thought I would preview it here before I list it on other websites. Vin# 466, Radiant Red, painted CF Hardtop with OEM storage bag, soft top brand new, nerver been installed. CF door thresholds, 240 & 120 volt charging cables, OEM factory cover, second owner, executive black and tan interior. Always garaged. The only faults are the tire pressure monitor is in-op and some shoe scuffs are on silver plate on driver door threshold. I will have 2021 annual service done prior to delivery. Standard charge is 169 miles and in range mode is 213 miles. Note: I have only charged in range mode one time so I could take a photo. Completely factor stock with no mods. Mileage is 37,376. $99,500 Firm. Location is Palos Veders, CA, about 15 miles south of LAX. If interested DM me or email, [email protected]

 

[OakvilleMYP]

VIN 306 (5YJRE11BX81000306, 2008 Roadster 1.5, Obsidian Black with Black/Red Diamond Quilted Leather Interior) listed on eBay in La Jolla, CA. Buy It Now price of 149,999.99 139,999.99

54,490 miles, three owners (WA 2009-2015, WA 2015-2017, CA 2017-2021), clean title, no accidents.

Includes hard top and convertible soft top, upgraded car stereo with Apple CarPlay, back-up camera, black powder coated rims, slow and fast charging cables.

Auction ends Friday October 29, 2021 at 12:03pm PDT
(Car was relisted with 10k reduction in Buy it Now price after reserve not met in previous auction @ $60,100 bid)

2008 Tesla Roadster | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 2008 Tesla Roadster at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Reserve not met earlier today on ebay, got to 82,500 and was reposted again just now on ebay.

 

[Roadster]

2010 Tesla Roadster
VIN: 5YJRE1A10A1000621
Mileage: 15,663
Price: Not Listed. "Call For Price"

Twilight Blue 2.0 Base offer for sale by Auto Centrix in Carrollton, TX. Black forged rims, painted CF top, soft top, Executive Black / Lt Gray Rally One int, infortainment pkg, CAN-JR. No mention of HT bag or "Build Book" as noted in the previous orphan listing in Nov 2019 here.

 

[TEG]

^^^ Has the extra sticky tires that wear out extra fast...
( I think Tesla only put those on some early sport models... )

 

[kwellmey]

Vin 621 was posted last year on onlyusedtesla for $69,900. Auto Centrix is now asking $149,989. Best to simply order a new one in my opinion.

 

[DeedWest]

2010 Tesla Roadster
VIN: 5YJRE1A10A1000621
Mileage: 15,663
Price: Not Listed. "Call For Price"

Twilight Blue 2.0 Base offer for sale by Auto Centrix in Carrollton, TX. Black forged rims, painted CF top, soft top, Executive Black / Lt Gray Rally One int, infortainment pkg, CAN-JR. No mention of HT bag or "Build Book" as noted in the previous orphan listing in Nov 2019 here.

View attachment 729228

I went to view this one in person, and it’s in wonderful shape. CAC is 151 of 160. Paint looks like it’s never been outdoors.

 

[Onepointfive]

Vin 621 was posted last year on onlyusedtesla for $69,900. Auto Centrix is now asking $149,989. Best to simply order a new one in my opinion.

Just a thought, wouldn’t that be kind of like saying back in 2011, ”Don’t buy a 1998 McLaren F1, just order the new 2012 MP4-12C”?

 

[drewski]

^^^ Has the extra sticky tires that wear out extra fast...
( I think Tesla only put those on some early sport models... )

Have those on 667. I should check the tread depth