Tesla Sport Roadsters China (3)

Each Roadster for sale has a story, and we encourage sellers to share.  This one is going to blow your mind!

So, what if you could go back in time, Tesla time that is, and buy a brand new Roadster from Tesla?  Would you do it?
Here is your chance, since a time capsule has just been opened, and here is the interesting tale:

In 2010, a customer in China bought three brand new US spec LHD Roadsters from Tesla.

1 – Radiant Red Sport Roadster

2 – Very Orange Sport Roadster

3 – Very Orange Sport Roadster (Corrected – 2nd batch of pictures indicates this is also a Sport Version)

The got shipped to a dock in China, but were abandoned by the buyer.

They have been sitting in sea containers, at a port, since 2010, untouched, accruing storage charges.  Storage charges are being paid for by the seller.
Each Roadster has unopened boxes in the trunk (assuming brand new charge cables), and a large box external to the car (assuming hard top with carrying case)
They will be brought back to the USA by mid-May, unless a sale occurs before then.

The seller is willing to fly to China to meet any prospective buyers for a viewing.

What we do not yet know is if the ESS pack Service Plugs were pulled before shipment, and even more intriguing, if they were, is there any life left in the packs after 13 years of storage.  We will not know until they are retrieved and fired up.  We also do not know how many, if any miles were on odometers from testing/delivery of new Roadsters.
Once, or if the Roadsters come back to the US, they will be shipped to Gruber Motors for a full technical review.

(Better and more pictures are coming soon)

Due to the bizarre nature of this set of brand new Roadsters and collectible status, this owner is accepting bids at this time only, and is trying to sell them as a set, but would entertain splitting them up.
Email us your bid – ev@gruber.com

BIDS – (All in $US)
Bid 05/02/2023 – $50K ea total $150K
Bid 05/02/2023 – $70K Red VIN 1107
Bid 05/02/2023 – $76K Red VIN 1107
Bid 05/03/2023 – $60K Orange Sport VIN 1120
Bid 05/03/2023 – $200K All three
Bid 05/04/2023 – $225K All three
Bid 05/05/2023 – $500K All three
Bid 05/06/2023 – $600K All three
Bid 05/08/2023 – $220K Red VIN 1107
Bid 05/08/2023 – $700K All three
Bid 05/08/2023 – $750K All three
Bid 05/24/2023 – $800K All three
Bid 05/30/2023 – $2M All three

Addendum 05-04-2023

An additional set of pictures has been added, including some videos.
All three Manufacturers Certificate of Origin documents are listed and available to the successful bidder.
The images indicate all three Roadsters are the more sought after Sport Models, with a 0-60 of 3.7 seconds vs 3.9 seconds.
There are also 3) brand new Clipper Creek TS-70 Roadster Wall Chargers, still in boxes, along with other bubble wrapped items yet to be opened from Tesla.

Addendum 05-24-2023

The two crates that come with the cars are starting to be examined.  Some of the bubble wrapped items reference the missing VIN 1185, which was  suspected to be part of this shipment of Roadsters in 2010, and has not been located.  (See the additional pictures posted this morning)

Discovered were a lot of large parts such as 4 wheels and tires, a complete door assy., headlight assemblies, and many other small body trim parts not yet unwrapped.  If these parts were shipped along with the three intact Roadsters, why these extra parts were shipped separately is still a mystery.  Based on labels on parts referencing VIN 1185, is it possible VIN 1185 was to be assembled in China, and if so, where is the chassis?

The keys for the three intact Roadsters were supposed to be in one of the port offices, and when the current owners attempted to retrieve them to open the cars, it was discovered the Manager who held them had passed away, and they cannot currently be found.  The sellers will replace them if necessary.

The current sellers had planned to use these keys to open the cars and trunks, to take more detailed pictures but were unable to until keys are either found or replaced.

Addendum 05-24-2023 (2)

We have just become aware that some ancient shipping info, viewed by a reliable source many years ago, indicated all 4 Roadsters were going to the same firm in China:  VINs 1107, 1120, 1146, & 1185.

The original purchaser was an R&D center for a Chinese auto company, that subsequently went bankrupt, and the assumption is these were purchased for reverse engineering to be disassembled.  In 2010, the Tesla Roadster was after all a state-of-the-art EV, before the Model S even came out, and would have been of enormous value to an emerging EV company.

Instead of being disassembled, and rendered into a pile parts in an R&D lab, at least three of these Roadsters survived, intact, to live on in someone’s collection.

All bidding is now re-opened
The $2M bid is withdrawn due to inability to get insurance became an issue

1 – We are still vetting bidders and this is taking more time than anticipated.

2 – The Roadsters are being relocated into new sea containers over the next few days, in preparation for shipping either direct to the successful bidder, or to Dubai, which is a free zone, without the constraints for viewing permits required for prospective buyers wishing to examine the Roadsters.

3 – Some bidders have placed contingencies that the Tesla Roadsters needed to be in the USA before bidding, and the sellers reserves the right to sell them out of either China, Dubai, or eventually the USA, whichever comes first.

Addendum 06-03-2023

From the sellers:
Many thanks to all the bidders.  Due to the recent preparations for moving the cars to Dubai, which will allow immediate bidder viewing without red tape and permits, all of which will take about 2-3 weeks with transport, and loading/unloading, we are extending the bid closure date to indefinite at this time.

We are continuing to accept bids at this time, and if the cars have not sold before arriving in Dubai, we will post if and when the cars are available for viewing at the free zone in Dubai.

Addendum 06-15-2023

We spoke with the sellers this morning, and here are the latest developments:
The three cars are still at the dock in China, and now being prep’d to come to the USA to Gruber Motor Company, instead of going to Dubai.  Once here, high quality pictures will be taken,  GMC will certify the cars, wake them up and confirm odometer readings, run log files and establish battery condition, and timelines when they bricked, and provide a detailed condition report.  Anyone wishing to review the cars can now easily do so.

The sellers have begun reaching out to bidders, and the $2M bid is still active, and contingent on the bidder, a rental car company, being able to insure 10 year plus cars and insert them in their lease program.  They realize they could buy used Roadsters for far less, but want the fame and publicity these three rare cars have garnered, and feel the advertising value is worth the expense.

The sellers again reiterated they are responsible for all transport, customs, or associated fees to get them to the USA, and are still accepting bids.

Addendum 06-20-2023

Here are the latest developments:
The next ship available to take these three sea containers is scheduled for July 5th.

Rather than move the cars into new sea containers for shipment, the sellers have now purchased the three original containers housing the cars, which improves logistics and approval processing time.

Once they land in the US port at the Long Beach, the containers will be transported by semis to the Phoenix Arizona Gruber Motor Company commercial compound.  The containers will be stored and eventually made available for sale.   The cars, and crated parts, will be gently removed, cataloged/inventoried, and go through a complete technical review establishing odometer readings, and battery condition including timelines extracted from log files buried in the electronics, and certified.

Addendum 07-07-2023

Here are the latest developments:
The original sea containers were not accepted for transport, so the three Roadsters and parts were relocated into different sea containers, and sealed by customs for loading onto a transport ship due to leave for the US in the next few days.  Shipping costs have been paid, customs is happy, and the Roadsters should be on their way to Long Beach soon.

A new batch of pictures were added as the Roadsters were removed to be placed in new Sea Containers.  New images include interior shots taken through windows, and some 360 shots.  Apparently, the Roadsters received factory PPF on some panels, and a few large boxes in the crates were opened to reveal entire body panels, trim pieces, and door frames and once the cars and crates arrive at GMC, a complete inventory and picture documentation will take place.  It appears there may be enough parts to put another Roadster together minus frame (missing VIN 1185?)  The mystery continues…

Addendum 07-18-2023

Here are the latest developments:

Containers are on the Ocean going ship now headed towards the USA.

The estimate arrival date to the Long Beach port is 8/17.

Arrangements have been made with a customs broker to clear them.  They advised that the process shouldn’t take long, maybe 2 days, unless customs decides to put a random hold and request a physical inspection.

They advised that they rarely do that but in the event that an inspection is requested, the process should add about a week or so. We will post updates.

Addendum 08-25-2023

Here are the latest developments:

Tropical Storm Hillary changed plans a bit.  Containers are on the Ocean going ship off the coast of Vietnam, and again headed towards the USA.

The new estimated arrival date to the Long Beach port is 9/5.

Anticipating other ships waiting to unload, we have not yet been advised what if any delays will be encountered with ships ahead of ours waiting to unload (remember Covid days and ships in que waiting to unload).

We will keep updating this thread as new details emerge.
The sellers are again accepting bids.  The cars will be fully dispositioned soon at GMC with full tech analysis, many more images, and a complete inventory, allowing bidders to make more informed decisions.

Addendum 09-12-2023

The Roadsters are back in the USA.  They just cleared customs in Long Beach, CA, and are now fully released for transport to the Gruber Motor Company Service Center.  They will be placed on flatbed trailers 9/14, and are due to be delivered either 9/15, or 9/18.  A 45 ton crane is on standby to move the 20′ Sea Containers.

Addendum 09-15-2023

THEY ARE HERE, unloaded 3 sea containers from China with a 45 ton crane.  Next week, the Roadsters will be carefully removed, connected to laptops, diagnostics run, odometer readings recorded, and analyzed for  main battery condition after 13 years of slumber. Stay tuned!

Update 09-25-2023 – VIN 1107

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.