George Clooney’s Tesla Roadster to be auctioned

ACTOR George Clooney is putting his limited-edition “Signature One Hundred” Tesla Roadster up for auction in the name of charity.

When it goes under the hammer at Pebble Beach in California on August 19, the 2008 model-year Tesla is expected to raise between $US100,000 ($A95,450) and $US125,000.

Proceeds will go to the Satellite Sentinel Project non-profit organisation, which Mr Clooney co-founded and “monitors the sensitive borders of Sudan via satellite in an effort to prevent the return of a full-scale civil war between Northern and Southern Sudan”.

Mr Clooney’s Tesla is car number 0008, finished in metallic Obsidian Black with two-tone premium leather interior, has just 2736km on the clock and a logbook showing one careful, famous, former owner.

The Oscar-winning Hollywood star and philanthropist was among the first to take delivery of Tesla’s pioneering electric sportscar when it launched in 2008 as he was among those who laid down a $US100,000 deposit to secure a vehicle from the initial run of 100 units.

President and founder of auction house Gooding and Company, David Gooding, described Mr Clooney’s Tesla as “an incredible opportunity to purchase a modern collector car”.

He said the Tesla had “all the right elements,” being a one-owner car with celebrity provenance, historical significance, limited-edition rarity and philanthropic ties.

Signature 100 Teslas came fully loaded with all available optional extras including satellite navigation and a hard-top roof plus commemorative plaque signed by the maker’s principals and personalised for the purchaser.

All Signature 100 editions, for which Tesla started taking deposits in July 2006, sold out in just three weeks.

“We admire and respect Mr. Clooney’s talent and dedication to making a difference in our international community,” said Mr Gooding.

“(We) hope his fantastic car will attract great support for the Satellite Sentinel Project and recognition of the lives his work saves every day.”

Gooding and Company is the official auction house for the annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and has hosted numerous prestigious car sales, including a 1957 Ferrari Testa Rossa prototype that went for $US16.39 million and a 1931 Whittell Coupe Duesenberg Model J, sold for $US10.34 million.

Tesla introduced its Roadster to Australia in March last year priced around the $200,000 mark and achieved double-digit sales for the car, while its second product, the seven-seat Model S sedan, has sold out here for six months – a year before the first deliveries take place.

Next up is the Model X SUV, which has innovative gullwing-like ‘falcon’ doors and is expected to arrive in Australia by late 2014.

Tesla has confirmed it will eventually produce another sportscar as a follow-up to the Lotus-based Roadster but is following its original plan of producing ever more affordable EVs.