One-of-a-kind secret Tesla Roadster R&D prototype up for auction

You’ve likely heard of the original Tesla Roadster, the car that kickstarted Tesla and the EV revolution. Now, a unique prototype for a performance package, which never made it to market, is up for sale.

This Tesla Roadster Sport with VIN #1124 was initially purchased in 2012. After an accident, it was reacquired and repaired by Tesla. Joost de Vries, Tesla’s then VP of Service, oversaw its repair and the development of a performance package, working with Carl Medlock, who managed Tesla’s Seattle service center and now runs a third-party Roadster repair shop.

Despite the ambitious plan, the performance package, dubbed either “Roadster RR” or “Roadster E-Sport,” never launched. However, the prototype features extensive custom modifications:

Tarox Italian Performance Brakes Front and Rear (1 of 3)
Custom ABS Flash by Continental (1 of 3)
Customized Hollinger Limited Slip Differential (1 of 2)
Custom Tuned Bilstein Performance Sport Suspension (sole unit)
Custom Roadster RR camber plates and handling package
Hand-laid raw carbon bodywork, the only raw carbon Roadster in existence

The standout feature is its clear-coated carbon fiber body, making the fibers visible, unlike the typically painted Roadsters.

The performance package was intended to cost $30,000 and aimed to bring revenue through service departments. However, due to leadership changes, it never reached the public, and this remains the only prototype.

This factory-customized Roadster has a unique status, with modifications done under Tesla's supervision, though the project faced controversy over accusations of overspending.

After the project halted, the car was owned by de Vries until 2022, when Cummings and Medlock acquired it. The battery was replaced with a new “Roadster 3.0” 80kWh pack, and it has driven less than 100 miles on the new battery, with a total mileage of around 31,600.