2008 Tesla Roadster — Bricked Restoration Project, ESS Battery Replacement Candidate
This
2008 Tesla Roadster is located in
Phoenix, Arizona, USA and is being offered as a
bricked restoration project. The vehicle shows approximately
40,000 miles / 68,811 km and includes a Clipper Creek wall charger.
According to the owner’s backstory, this Roadster became bricked during a probate process after sitting without being charged. The family later clarified that the car had been running fine when it was driven into the garage after the owner’s stroke, but it was not charged afterward. The battery pack is now described as beyond recovery, and a replacement Tesla ESS main battery would be needed to return the car to the road.
The owner describes this as a strong candidate for someone looking for a
Very Orange restoration project. The original factory-applied PPF had deteriorated, and the Gruber Motor Company team painstakingly removed the old film, exposing a well-preserved paint finish underneath.
Vehicle Highlights
- 2008 Tesla Roadster
- Located in Phoenix, Arizona, USA
- VIN: 5YJRE11B781000263
- Mileage: 40,000 miles / 68,811 km
- 53 kWh battery listed
- Currently bricked
- Battery pack described as beyond recovery
- New Tesla ESS main battery needed to return the car to service
- Reported cause appears to be lack of charging while stored
- Factory PPF removed by Gruber Motor Company
- Well-preserved paint exposed after PPF removal
- Clipper Creek wall charger included
- Hard top listed
- Automatic transmission
- 2-door coupe body style
- 100% electric drivetrain
- Sold as-is as a restoration project
Current Condition
This Roadster is currently bricked and is being sold as a project. The battery pack is described as beyond recovery, and a new Tesla ESS main battery would be required to put the vehicle back on the road.
The family’s update indicates that the likely cause was not an active charging fault, but rather lack of charging after the car was parked. This is an important distinction because, after an ESS battery replacement, a buyer will still want to confirm whether any charging-related issues remain before returning the car to service.
Cosmetic Notes
The original factory-applied PPF had deteriorated over time and was removed by Gruber Motor Company. After removal, the paint underneath was described as well preserved.
The vehicle is being sold with some imperfections, including a partially missing passenger front mud flap, a scrape down to primer in the same area, and a cracked front clip just behind the front license plate. The interior also has some cosmetic issues, but they are described as fully restorable.
Restoration Opportunity
This Roadster represents a strong opportunity for someone looking for a Tesla Roadster restoration project. With approximately 40,000 miles, preserved paint after PPF removal, and a known bricked-battery condition, the car offers a clear path for a buyer prepared to invest in an ESS main battery replacement and cosmetic restoration.
For the right buyer, this could become a desirable early Roadster once the battery, exterior imperfections, and interior cosmetic items are addressed.
Vehicle Details
VIN: 5YJRE11B781000263
Year: 2008
Make/Model: Tesla Roadster
Location: Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Mileage: 40,000 miles / 68,811 km
Transmission: Automatic
Body Type: 2 Door Coupe
Fuel Type: 100% Electric
Battery Size: 53 kWh
0–60 MPH: 3.9 seconds
Warranty: As Is
Included: Clipper Creek wall charger
Owner’s Backstory
We ask for a backstory, and here is what the owner shared:
This Roadster was part of a probate process and became bricked. The battery pack is beyond recovery, and a new Tesla ESS main battery will put this Roadster back on the road.
It is a fine example of the Very Orange paint scheme. The original factory-applied PPF had deteriorated, and the Gruber Motor Company team painstakingly removed all traces, exposing a well-preserved paint job.
It is being sold with some imperfections, including the partially missing passenger front mud flap, a scrape down to primer in the same area, and a cracked front clip just behind the front license plate. There are some cosmetic issues in the interior, all fully restorable.
If you are looking for a Very Orange restoration project, this 40K-mile Roadster is ideal.
Update: Some were curious what caused the car to get bricked, which is important since after an ESS main battery replacement, what caused the car not to charge often needs to be repaired for additional cost. Here is what the family updated: The reason for the dead car was most certainly a lack of charging. My sister drove it after my dad’s stroke to put it in the garage and it ran fine. We did not charge it after that.
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.
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.
