GALLERY
Roadster Joins Concours d’Elegance
History was made at this year’s Arizona Concours d’Elegance when one of Tesla’s earliest vehicles joined the prestigious lineup of the world’s most exceptional collector cars.
The organizers, approached Gruber Motors to discuss introducing electric vehicles to this curated exhibition, seeking guidance on what might qualify as a historically significant EV worthy of this exclusive event.
The perfect candidate emerged:
Tesla Founders Roadster VIN #3, currently housed at EV Preserve, our exotic EV storage facility in Phoenix, AZ.
Tesla Founders Roadster VIN #3, currently housed at EV Preserve, our exotic EV storage facility in Phoenix, AZ.
This early example of Tesla’s groundbreaking innovation represented the first time a modern electric vehicle had been showcased alongside traditional collector cars at the Concours.
Though meticulously detailed by our team, the Roadster didn’t capture any awards in its debut appearance—unsurprising given the extraordinary competition, which included a $50 million 1936 Bugatti Atlantic, a one-of-a-kind Pagani, and numerous century-old automobiles valued well into seven figures.
Nevertheless, the Roadster proved to be one of the event’s main attractions, drawing consistent crowds eager to learn about Tesla’s history, the evolution of electric vehicles, and our perspectives on the future of EV collecting.
The judges themselves acknowledged the historical significance of this moment, requesting photos with the car—a clear signal that electric vehicles are beginning to earn their place in the prestigious world of collector automobiles.
