Washington teen bought totaled Tesla Model 3 for $15k to restore and got huge surprise when retrieving data stored on built-in computer
Published on Nov 17, 2025 at 3:05 AM (UTC+4)
by Ben Thompson
Last updated on Nov 19, 2025 at 6:00 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Emma Matthews
This Washington teenager bought a totaled Tesla Model 3 to restore and met a huge surprise when he went to retrieve data from the car’s built-in computer.
Winston paid $15,000 to get this car from Geico.
He didn’t know much about the car’s previous life, but he was happy to have a car to work on.
But when he plugged a USB drive into the car’s built-in computer, he was shocked at what he found.
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This teenager wanted to fix up a Tesla Model 3
Winston has long had a passion for Teslas, ever since he began watching videos by Rich Rebuilds.
You may recall that he’s done a fair few videos about cars, whether it was fixing a flooded Model S or test-driving Chinese cars and realizing why they’re illegal in the US.
Winston’s newfound interest led to his parents encouraging him to restore a Tesla.
He found a Model 3 at a wrecking yard and took it home for $15,000.
This car had been declared a loss after an accident.
But deciding to make lemonade out of lemons, Winston set about fixing the vehicle.
He plugged a USB drive into the car’s built-in computer, and what he saw shocked him.
What did he find on the computer?
Well, it was footage showing the moment the car was struck in a T-bone collision.
The camera showed another car driving out in front, and the Model 3 subsequently smashing into its side.
It’s no wonder the car ended up looking the way it did and being deemed a total loss.
However, the bigger question remained – could this car be brought back from the brink?
It wasn’t as big a challenge as restoring this Dodge Challenger Hellcat Redeye, but it was still no small feat.
All in all, about $25,000 was spent on the restoration, with $9,000 spent on parts and $1,000 on taxes.
But Winston ended up with a car for his family and a sense of accomplishment you can’t beat.
To see the shocking footage for yourself, head over to Wham Bam Teslacam‘s YouTube channel.
Tesla innovations by year
2008: First Roadster marks Tesla’s entry into mass EV production
2012: Model S premieres with new long-range battery tech
2014: Autopilot hardware introduced in all new Tesla vehicles
2016: Model X becomes the first electric SUV with falcon-wing doors
2017: Semi and Roadster 2.0 revealed
2019: Cybertruck announcement draws global attention
2022: Tesla introduces Full Self-Driving (Beta) to a wider audience
2025: Rumored launch for Tesla’s next-gen Roadster is set for next year
Ben joined Supercar Blondie in February 2025 after being published by international organizations including LADbible, The Sun, the New York Post, and the Daily Mail. He covers supercars, rare and collectible vehicles, aviation, luxury assets, and the fascinating people behind them. His reporting has explored everything from seven-figure supercars and historic Ferrari collections to unusual aircraft adventures and extraordinary automotive discoveries from around the world. Ben has also gained first-hand insight into vehicle craftsmanship and customization, including visiting specialist workshops to see bespoke vehicles up close.
