2008 Tesla Roadster — Obsidian Black, Celebrity-Owned, Bricked Battery Project

This 2008 Tesla Roadster is located in Palmetto Bay, Florida, USA and is finished in Obsidian Black. This Roadster carries a unique ownership story and celebrity connection, having previously been owned by Hollywood legend Dustin Hoffman.

The car shows 25,251 miles / 40,638 km and is currently being offered as a bricked Roadster. Around 2016, the ESS main battery pack was replaced, and the car was enjoyed for years afterward. More recently, the vehicle became bricked, and recovery efforts at Gruber Motor Company revealed that some sheets need replacement.

Because individual sheets are not available to purchase separately from Tesla, the owners have decided to sell the car as a bricked Roadster. The car has been placed into queue for a replacement battery pack, and the successful buyer may be able to exercise that option at their expense while the car is at Gruber Motor Company.

Vehicle Highlights

• 2008 Tesla Roadster
• Located in Palmetto Bay, Florida, USA
• VIN: 5YJRE11B581000133
• Exterior Color: Obsidian Black
• Mileage: 25,251 miles / 40,638 km
• Celebrity-owned Roadster with Dustin Hoffman ownership history
• 53 kWh battery listed
• CAC: 183.7
• Currently bricked
• ESS main battery pack replaced around 2016
• Recovery efforts found some battery sheets need replacement
• Placed into queue for a replacement battery pack
• Hard top included
• Soft top included
• R80 Battery Pack listed
• Automatic transmission
• 2-door coupe body style
• 100% electric drivetrain

Celebrity Connection

Adding to its collector appeal, this Tesla Roadster was previously owned by Dustin Hoffman. That Hollywood connection gives the car a distinctive backstory beyond its place as one of Tesla’s earliest production vehicles.

For buyers who value provenance, celebrity ownership, and early Tesla history, this Roadster offers a unique restoration opportunity with a story few Roadsters can match.

Current Battery Status

This Roadster is currently bricked. Around 2016, the ESS main battery pack was replaced, and the car was enjoyed for years afterward. More recently, the car became bricked, and recovery efforts at Gruber Motor Company revealed that some sheets need replacement.

Since individual sheets are not available to purchase separately from Tesla, the owners have decided to sell the vehicle as a bricked Roadster. The Roadster has been placed into queue for a replacement battery pack, and the successful buyer can exercise that option at their expense while the car is at Gruber Motor Company.

Condition Assessment

The driver-side headlight has serious peel, which is repairable through a Stage 1 headlight repair. The Obsidian Black paint would also benefit from paint correction to resolve minor but visible surface scratches and spots, helping bring back the deep black finish.

With battery replacement, headlight restoration, and paint correction, this Roadster could be brought back into strong presentation as a celebrity-owned early Tesla with a memorable history.

Owner’s Backstory

Every Roadster has a story, and here is what the second owner had to share:

We bought the 2008 Tesla Roadster about 10 years ago.

I remember it was around bedtime, my partner was checking his phone and started chuckling uncontrollably. I asked, “What’s so funny?” He replied, “I think I just bought a car!”

He had completely forgotten that a few months earlier he had put in a bid on eBay for a Roadster, never thinking he would get it. eBay was once a popular way to sell a Tesla Roadster, and along with a “Buy It Now” option, there was often a “Make Offer” option. A number was thrown into that offer option and some time went by.

Then that fateful December night in 2013, we received notification that he had won the bid and was now the owner of an iconic Tesla Roadster. He could not believe he had just bought a car over the internet. A further surprise was that the car belonged to Dustin Hoffman.

We loved driving the car and showing it off. It definitely is eye candy and a head turner. He has gotten many compliments and enthusiastic honks, especially from the younger generation who are drawn to the flashy and unusual.

Around 2016, we replaced the ESS main battery pack, enjoyed the car for years, and most recently, the car got bricked. Recovery efforts at Gruber Motor Company revealed some sheets need replacement, and since they are not available to purchase individually from Tesla, we have decided to sell the car as a bricked Roadster.

The Roadster has been placed into queue for a replacement battery pack, and the successful buyer can exercise that option at their expense while at Gruber Motor Company, who has been able to get fast turnaround at the Tesla Tempe, Arizona Service Center.

The driver-side headlight has some serious peel, which is quite repairable as a Stage 1 headlight repair. Paint correction would resolve some minor but visible surface scratches and spots, making the black gleam again.

Adding to its allure is the fact that this Tesla Roadster was previously owned by Hollywood legend Dustin Hoffman. This adds a layer of glamour and exclusivity to this collectible Roadster.

Vehicle Details

VIN: 5YJRE11B581000133
Year: 2008
Make/Model: Tesla Roadster
Location: Palmetto Bay, Florida, USA
Exterior Color: Obsidian Black
Mileage: 25,251 miles / 40,638 km
Transmission: Automatic
Body Type: 2 Door Coupe
Fuel Type: 100% Electric
Battery Size: 53 kWh
CAC: 183.7
0–60 MPH: 3.9 seconds
Warranty: As Is

Gruber Motor Company Roadster Matchmaking

Gruber Motor Company offers Tesla Roadster matchmaking services. We unite sellers with buyers, and offer this service free of charge. Our Tesla fan and customer data base is extensive, and we maintain a growing list of “want to buy” contacts.

Between our social media exposure, Our YouTube Channel – and growing Website traffic, we have been highly successful placing Roadsters into the hands of appreciative new Tesla Roadster owners.

Contact us at ev@gruber.com if you would like to buy or sell a Roadster.