American purchased Tesla Roadster for super cheap $35K from previous owner who couldn't get it to charge, restored it to be worth around $150K
- The Tesla Roadster was the innovative brand’s first car
- Pristine examples can fetch over $200,000 today
- This one doesn’t charge – but can it be fixed?
Published on Dec 04, 2024 at 3:55 PM (UTC+4)
by Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones
Last updated on May 14, 2025 at 7:40 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Tom Wood
Elon Musk’s first foray into the world of EVs, the Tesla Roadster was the innovative brand’s first car – with charging sparking many many conversations about range, torque, and costs compared to gas engines.
Featuring a lightweight carbon fiber body, a state-of-the-art electric motor, and an impressive performance of 0-97km/h/0-60mph in just 3.7 seconds.
Pristine examples can fetch over $200,000 today – however, if it doesn’t charge that value will plummet.
Enter this ‘neglected and questionably modified’ 2010 Tesla Roadster bought by two US car enthusiasts for $35,000.
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The non-charging Tesla Roadster
While the first Tesla already has a cult following, this isn’t any old example.
It’s a Japanese import that was one of the first 12 exported to Japan – others were allegedly transported to China to boost their own EV technology.
The batch of cars was known as the ‘Signature 12’.
It featured a customized plaque inside with a slogan unique to the car’s original owner.
With only 5,000 original miles on the odometer – it seems like a steal.
However, the fact that it wouldn’t charge means its value plummeted.
Charging is key to the convenience and lower costs of EVs.
Can Rex and Freddy of Art Of The Flip fix it?
The restoration
First up a ‘comprehensive decontamination wash’ to remove any grime and dirt before dealing with what was sitting beneath.
Rex cleaned the tires and body of the car with pressure washers and foam cannons.
The aging Paint Protection Film (PPF) had yellowed and become brittle and was meticulously removed using steam and scraping tools.
Next up, dry ice cleaning restored the suspension, brake components, and other parts to factory-like condition at a ‘molecular level’ without damaging the delicate components of the Tesla Roadster.
Last but not least, a clay bar was used to smooth the paint surface, and heavy-cut compound and polish restored the shine and removed scratches on the finish.
More than simply cleaning, a full carbon fiber roof was installed for water resistance with a ceramic coating applied to protect the now-perfect paintwork.
As for its changing issues?
“We actually got the car to charge and run properly as soon as it got here,” they admitted.
Translation: “It may pay off in a big way.”
With a new estimated resale value of $150,000 – it certainly did.
All Supercar Blondie contributors undergo editorial review and fact-checking to ensure accuracy and authority in automotive journalism. After gaining her BA Hons in French and English at the University of Nottingham, Amelia embarked on a vocational diploma from the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ). This led to numerous opportunities, from interning at Vogue to being on the small team that launched Women’s Health magazine in the UK, which was named the PPA Consumer magazine of the year for three years running. As Health, Beauty and Fitness editor, Amelia personally received a Johnson & Johnson Award and was shortlisted for both PPA and BSME titles. Since then, Amelia has created content for numerous titles and brands, including the Telegraph, 111 Skin, Waitrose, Red magazine, Stylist, and Elle, as well as being Head of Content at Vitality and Editor in Chief at INLondon magazine. “My superpower is translating technical jargon about the mechanical workings of a supercar into a relatable story you’ll want to share with your friends after you’ve read it.” After joining the SB Media family as a senior journalist in September of 2023, Amelia’s role has evolved to see her heading up the SEO output of the editorial team. From researching the most ‘Google-able’ key terms to producing evergreen content - it’s been a time of hard work, growth, and success for the editorial team and the Supercar Blondie website. “I like to think of myself as a ‘method journalist’. In other words: I live and breathe whatever I am writing about. When writing about fitness, I trained as a personal trainer, and as a beauty editor, I completed an ‘expert’ in scent diploma with the Fragrance Foundation. “During my tenure at Supercar Blondie, however, I did something I never thought possible: I passed my driving test at the age of 36. One day I’d love to train as a mechanic to better understand what happens under the hood, too. “My sweet spot is providing readers with a ‘takeaway’ (read: something new they didn’t know before) after reading every one of my stories. While I don’t claim to be an expert in the automotive world, I know the experts and bodies in the field to rely on to provide our readers with an informative and thought-provoking story every time they visit the site.”
