Elon Musk and Tesla inserted three fine-print disclaimers about the new flying Roadster that reveal interesting details

We finally got the Tesla Roadster we were promised nine years ago, but there’s so much to unpack.

The production-ready model doesn’t actually look like the original concept, and it comes with a few extra features.

Crucially, these additions have sent the price soaring, and they come wrapped in significant fine print.

And what we read in the fine print begs a few questions.

Is it street-legal?

The first question everyone asked was: is this actually street-legal?

The ‘base’ model, the Performance, certainly will be and it costs $50,000 to reserve.

It will just be an incredibly fast electric car.

But there are questions about the Thrust (reserve cost: $250,000) and Rocket variants.

The ground-effect technology – using vacuum fans and active suction – sounds complicated, but there isn’t an immediate legal barrier preventing it from being approved.

We’re also assuming (hoping?) no one will ever actually drive the car upside down.

But the Rocket variant is fitted with cold-gas thrusters and can literally fly.

It’s hard to imagine authorities looking at that and saying: “Yeah, we don’t see a problem allowing the average Joe to be in control of that.”

What the fine print says

Despite taking deposits now, production isn’t scheduled to begin until 2028.

But it gets more intriguing: Tesla’s reservation agreement stipulates that deposits do not guarantee a final vehicle delivery date, exact features, or a locked-in purchase price.

The terms and conditions state: “The estimated Purchase Price of the vehicle, if provided, is only an estimate.

“We are still working on what options, features and hardware the vehicle will have and so cannot confirm the
exact price just yet.

“Your Purchase Price will ultimately be confirmed once you’ve configured your vehicle.”

In other words, it looks like you’re paying $50,000 or $250,000 now and then you should get a car at some point.

Deposits are fully refundable, though.

So at least there’s that.

Here’s what could happen with the Tesla Roadster

This is just speculation so don’t quote us on this, but what we are likely seeing are two separate things, two separate vehicles.

The Performance and Thrust variants appear to be extreme road-legal cars for people who can afford them.

The ground-effect tech was used to showcase the car driving upside down, but it can also be used to improve braking, acceleration, and handling.

So far, so normal.

By contrast, the Tesla Roadster Rocket is probably just a halo marketing showcase, likely restricted to ultra-wealthy buyers who own private tracks, private airstrips, or private islands.

That’s because it is virtually impossible that this version will ever be approved for public road use.

Elon Musk said that whether it’ll be street-legal ‘depends on your street’ and that it’ll be ‘viable’ car.

However, both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) quickly weighed in with clear statements.

“The Tesla vehicle does not meet the FAA’s definition of an aircraft,” a Federal Aviation Administration spokesperson said.

“While the vehicle may appear to defy the laws of physics, the manufacturer must ensure that it does not defy applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and drivers must obey all local traffic laws,” a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration spokesperson added.

We’ll find out, presumably, in about two years.