2010 Tesla Roadster Sport — Very Orange, 129 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 129 miles / 207 km, this Roadster is one of the most unusual time-capsule Tesla discoveries to surface in recent years. This is VIN 1146, one of three brand-new, US-spec, left-hand-drive Tesla Roadsters purchased in 2010 by an EV manufacturer in China for reverse engineering. Due to an unexpected bankruptcy, all three cars were abandoned in sea containers and sat untouched in darkness for more than a decade. Thirteen years later, they were discovered and acquired by the current owners, who paid the accumulated storage charges and began the process of documenting and preserving them. This particular Roadster is being offered as-is and is currently bricked. The odometer reading, firmware access, and log files were all reviewed after the car was “woken up,” allowing verification of the mileage and battery history. For collectors, this is a rare chance to acquire what is effectively a brand-new 2010 Roadster preserved in extraordinary time-capsule condition.

Vehicle Highlights

• 2010 Tesla Roadster Sport
• Located in Phoenix, Arizona, USA
• VIN: 5YJRE1A3XA1001146
• Exterior Color: Very Orange
• Mileage: 129 miles / 207 km
• Sport Version
• 0–60 MPH: 3.7 seconds
• 53 kWh battery
• 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 a trio of abandoned, near-new Roadsters discovered after 13 years in storage containers

The Backstory — A Time Capsule from 2010

Each Roadster for sale has a story, and this one is extraordinary. In 2010, an EV manufacturer in China purchased three brand-new US-spec Tesla Roadsters for reverse engineering and autopsy. At the time, the Tesla Roadster was the logical benchmark for anyone attempting to study or replicate modern EV technology. The three cars purchased were:

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

After being shipped to a dock in China, the buyer unexpectedly went bankrupt. The cars were then abandoned in three separate sea containers, where they remained sealed in darkness and untouched for approximately 13 years, accumulating storage charges. The current owners later discovered the cars, purchased all three, and paid the decade-plus of storage fees. What emerged was a remarkable trio of nearly new Tesla Roadsters frozen in time.

Condition & Current Status

All three Roadsters were “woken up” to allow access to firmware and log files, which helped confirm odometer readings, determine the dates the ESS main batteries went dead, and allow firmware backups. In addition, a thorough condition analysis was performed to document issues such as decomposing paint protection film, aging components, and rodent activity. Rodent activity was reportedly confined to drivetrain cavities, with the cabins remaining unaffected. Remediation work so far has been limited to careful cleaning of the interiors and exteriors, removal of dust and rodent debris, airing the tires, and initial PPF removal efforts. This Roadster remains bricked, and the listing is being offered as-is. Prospective buyers should expect that further remediation and battery replacement planning will be part of the ownership path if the goal is to return the car to driving condition.

Included Equipment

Each of the three Roadsters includes brand-new Tesla Roadster charging equipment and accessories. For this Very Orange Roadster, included items are stated to include:

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

A menu of additional remediation options is expected to be created for prospective buyers to select from.

Bid Status

Because of the bizarre and highly collectible 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, although the high bidder later withdrew after being unable to insure the cars for a leasing operation. The sellers are again collecting interest and may entertain separating the trio for the right buyers. Interested buyers may email ev@gruber.com with questions or bid interest.

Vehicle Details

VIN: 5YJRE1A3XA1001146 Year: 2010 Make/Model: Tesla Roadster Sport Location: Phoenix, Arizona, USA Exterior Color: Very Orange Mileage: 129 miles / 207 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. 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.