I’m inclined to agree with most points that have been made here. Value for special cars like the McLaren F1 or Ford GT/GT40 are defined by production numbers and pedigree. The history and pedigree of the original Roadster is something I think we all agree is there, but its unclear if it will be valued the same as some of the other vehicles listed here (see previous posts here for context-
Roadster Value: Collectibility, Originality, Rebuilt Roadsters and potential for Continuation Cars? )
To directly compare:
McLaren F1
Total production: 106
This was McLaren’s first road car and was THE fastest production vehicle of the 90’s and early 00’s. Several of these raced at and WON Le Mans in the mid/late 90’s. Some would consider the F1 the ultimate analog supercar, especially given its central driving position, 3 seat arrangement, manual transmission, and NA V12
Ford GT40
Total production: 100-200
This is arguably one of the most famous race cars, winning Le Mans on 4 consecutive occasions. A few “road cars” were made with no intent to be raced, but most GT40s were dedicated race cars designed to exceed 200mph on the Mulsanne straight. In the late 1960s….
2005/6 Ford GT
Total production: 4038
This homage to the GT40 was almost exclusively a road car, but still a very credible supercar compared with contemporary Ferraris, Lambos, Porsches, etc…. These were $150k new and sell in the $250-500k range now
2017+ Ford GT
Total planned production: 1350
A modern street legal racing car. You have to be on Ford‘s special list to buy one and they make you sign a waiver promising not to resell it too soon. Incredible that Ford could make it street legal, but this doesn’t have the racing success that the GT40 or F1 had. $400k+ new, about $1m now
Original Tesla Roadster
Total production: ~2500 including founders editions and validation prototypes
Many automotive “firsts.” Obviously no racing/Le Mans history. I can see Roadsters easily reaching similar valuations to the 2005 Ford GT, especially given that they are more similar in production numbers. Roadsters will probably one day become million dollar cars, but I doubt they’ll ever sell for 8 figures the way special variants of the GT40 and McLaren F1 do, since those are substantially rarer and have outright Le Mans wins to their names.
I think the new Roadster will likely be a very credible competitor to modern super cars from Ferrari, McLaren, and Lamborghini, but won’t have the historical significance that the original carries.
I’d love to hear y’all’s thoughts….