duPont REGISTRY Live presents this highly original 2008 Tesla Roadster Signature 100 Edition, chassis #99 of the first 100 examples produced and finished in a one-of-one Signature Green specification. As one of the earliest production vehicles from Tesla, Inc., the Roadster represents the EV maker's initial entry into the automotive space, combining lightweight construction with an all-electric drivetrain. Showing 30,950 miles and accompanied by extensive documentation, this example retains its original powertrain and presents as a well-preserved example of Tesla’s first production model. With its limited production, unique specification, and historical importance, it stands as a significant early milestone in the evolution of modern electric performance vehicles.

The Tesla Roadster arrived at a time when electric vehicles were widely dismissed as slow, limited, and impractical. When it arrived in the late 2000s, what Elon Musk and the original Roadster delivered instead was something entirely different, a legitimate sports car that redefined expectations, offering strong acceleration and real-world usability, fundamentally changing how enthusiasts viewed battery-powered performance. Here was an EV that was finally cool.

 

Built on a lightweight architecture with extensive carbon fiber construction, the Roadster combined low mass with a rear-mounted electric motor and a 53 kWh lithium-ion battery pack composed of thousands of small-format cells. With 248 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, it delivers power to the rear wheels through a single-speed transmission, enabling uninterrupted acceleration and a direct, linear response, which remain defining characteristics of EVs even today. Period testing placed 0 to 60 mph in under 4.0 seconds, with an EPA-rated driving range of up to 244 miles, figures that were unprecedented for an electric vehicle at the time. Early demonstrations and media appearances highlighted its ability to deliver full torque from zero rpm, creating a driving experience that felt immediate and unlike anything powered by internal combustion. 

 

This particular example belongs to the Signature 100 series, the earliest customer-delivered vehicles produced by Tesla. As chassis #99 of 100, it represents a key part of the company’s initial production run. Finished in Signature Green, a unique, one-of-one specification inspired by classic hues such as Irish Green, it contrasts well against the seven-spoke staggered aluminium.
Exterior highlights include carbon fiber body panels, a black soft top, signature badging, and front-end paint protection film. The lightweight construction contributes not only to efficiency but also to the car’s responsive driving characteristics. Inside, the cabin is trimmed in black and tan leather with carbon fiber accents, maintaining a driver-focused layout. Features include heated bucket seats, air conditioning, a JVC head unit, and a Signature 100 plaque positioned between the seats, reinforcing its place within the limited production run.

 

Electrification is now firmly embedded in the automotive landscape, with Tesla, Inc. offering a full range of vehicles from utility-focused Cybertruck to high-performance Plaid models. This car represents the inflection point where that transition began in earnest. The original Tesla Roadster demonstrated that an electric vehicle could compete with traditional sports cars not just in efficiency, but in performance and driving engagement. Its influence extends far beyond a single model line, contributing to a broader shift in global automotive strategy, with entire markets, particularly in regions such as China, embracing electric mobility at a scale not seen since the earliest days of motoring over a century ago.

 

With a clean two-owner history, no reported accidents, and extensive service records, this example has been carefully maintained and is accompanied by original certificates, documentation, an additional convertible top, and charging equipment. As one of the first production Teslas and a member of the Signature 100 series, this Roadster represents that pivotal point in time when electric performance became credible.
 

Key Features

 

 

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Interior

 

 

Mechanical

 

 

Items Included in Sale

 

This roadster underwent internal battery sheet repairs in 2020 at Gruber Motors, a reputable independent Tesla repair shop in Phoenix, AZ.