2010 Tesla Roadster Sport — Very Orange, 104 Original Miles, China Time-Capsule Discovery

This 2010 Tesla Roadster Sport is located in Phoenix, Arizona, USA and is finished in Very Orange. Showing only 104 miles / 167 km, this Roadster is one of three extraordinary time-capsule Tesla Roadsters discovered after being abandoned in shipping containers for more than a decade.

This is VIN 1120, one of three brand-new, US-spec, left-hand-drive Tesla Roadsters purchased in 2010 by an EV manufacturer in China for reverse engineering and study. Due to an unexpected bankruptcy, the cars were abandoned in three sea containers after arriving at a dock in China, where they sat untouched in the dark for approximately 13 years.

This Roadster is currently bricked, has a listed CAC of 0, and is being sold as-is. The car has been “woken up” enough to access firmware and log files, confirm odometer readings, identify when the ESS main battery went dead, and back up firmware records.

Vehicle Highlights

• 2010 Tesla Roadster Sport
• Located in Phoenix, Arizona, USA
• VIN: 5YJRE1A33A1001120
• Exterior Color: Very Orange
• Mileage: 104 miles / 167 km
• Sport Version
• 0–60 MPH: 3.7 seconds
• 53 kWh battery listed
• Currently bricked
• Range at 85%: 0 miles / 0 km
• Rear camera listed
• Hard top listed
• Soft top listed
• Infotainment Group listed
• Sold as-is
• One of three near-new Roadsters discovered after 13 years in storage containers
• Brand new HPC Clipper Creek TS-70 Roadster wall charger included
• MC240 240 VAC charge cable included
• MC120 “Yellow” charge cable included

The Backstory — A Brand-New Roadster Frozen in Time

Each Roadster for sale has a story, and this one is going to blow your mind. In 2010, an EV manufacturer in China purchased three brand-new US-spec Tesla Roadsters from Tesla for reverse engineering and autopsy. At the time, the Tesla Roadster was the most successful production EV and the obvious benchmark for anyone studying modern electric vehicle technology.

The three Roadsters purchased were:

• Radiant Red Sport Roadster — VIN 1107
• Very Orange Sport Roadster — VIN 1120 — this listing
• Very Orange Sport Roadster — VIN 1146

After being shipped to a dock in China, the buyer unexpectedly went bankrupt. The cars were abandoned in three separate sea containers, where they remained sealed in darkness and untouched since 2010 while storage charges accumulated.

Thirteen years later, the current owners discovered the cars, purchased all three, and paid more than a decade of storage charges. What emerged was a bizarre and remarkable trio of nearly new Tesla Roadsters preserved as time capsules from Tesla’s earliest production era.

Current Condition & Remediation

All three Roadsters have been “woken up” enough to allow access into firmware and log files. This allowed confirmation of odometer readings, identification of when the ESS main batteries went dead, and backup of firmware data.

A thorough analysis was performed documenting overall condition, including decomposing paint protection film, aging, and rodent activity. Rodent activity was reportedly confined to drivetrain cavities, with the cabins unaffected.

Cracked and clouded PPF removal has begun, and early results suggest complete removal may be possible through a combination of pressure washing and chemical adhesive removal. Remediation so far has focused on cleaning the interiors and exteriors, removing dust and rodent debris, airing tires, and documenting the cars. A menu of additional remediation options may be created for prospective buyers.

Included Equipment

Each of the three Roadsters includes original or new Roadster charging equipment and accessories. This Very Orange VIN 1120 Roadster is stated to include:

• Brand new HPC Clipper Creek TS-70 Roadster wall charger
• MC240 240 VAC charge cable
• MC120 “Yellow” charge cable
• Soft top

Bid Status

Because of the unusual nature of this trio of brand-new Roadsters, the owner is currently accepting bids. The seller is attempting to sell the cars as a set, but may consider splitting them up.

Previous bids reportedly reached $2 million for all three at one point, but the high bidder withdrew after being unable to insure the cars for a leasing operation. The sellers are expected to begin collecting bids again and may entertain separating the trio.

Interested buyers may email ev@gruber.com with questions or bid interest.

Vehicle Details

VIN: 5YJRE1A33A1001120
Year: 2010
Make/Model: Tesla Roadster Sport
Location: Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Exterior Color: Very Orange
Mileage: 104 miles / 167 km
Transmission: Automatic
Body Type: 2 Door Coupe
Fuel Type: 100% Electric
Battery Size: 53 kWh
C.A.C.: 0
Range at 85%: 0 miles / 0 km
0–60 MPH: 3.7 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.