Tesla CEO Elon Musk is preparing to unveil the second-generation Roadster again, nearly nine years after first announcing the sports car’s return. Some reservation holders are still waiting for production to begin. In the meantime, Tesla’s share-price gains have made for a striking comparison: $50,000 invested in the stock in 2017 could now be worth far more than the price of a Roadster.
A $50,000 deposit could have grown to nearly $900,000
After Musk announced the new Roadster in November 2017, prospective buyers could pay a $50,000 deposit to reserve a place in line or put down $250,000 for a limited-edition Founders Series. Tesla described the car as a high-performance, two-door electric sports car with a target range of about 600 miles.
Tesla shares closed at around $21 on November 17, 2017, the first trading day after the announcement. Using a share price of roughly $360 in mid-October 2026, a $50,000 investment made then would be worth an estimated $850,000 to $900,000 today—an increase of more than $800,000. The estimate excludes taxes and trading costs.
A $250,000 investment in Tesla shares at the time would be worth about $4.3 million today, representing a paper gain of roughly $4 million. The comparison does not mean reservation deposits could have been converted directly into those returns. It illustrates how much Tesla’s share price has risen while Roadster deliveries have remained outstanding.
Roadster production remains pending as Tesla shifts focus
The second-generation Roadster has yet to enter production. Tesla plans to unveil the model again on Thursday evening. Recent teasers have suggested the car could feature cold-gas thrusters and might briefly hover, but those details—and the final production specification—have yet to be confirmed at the event.
Musk acknowledged the long-waiting reservation holders during Tesla’s October 2025 earnings call, thanking them for their patience. He said the company had devoted substantial resources to autonomous driving and robotics, affecting the Roadster project’s timeline.
Sam Altman and MKBHD have canceled reservations
The extended wait has prompted some high-profile customers to withdraw. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman publicly canceled his reservation in 2025. YouTube automotive and technology creator Marques Brownlee, known as MKBHD, canceled one of his two reservation slots after holding them for about eight years. He said Tesla had held his $50,000 for eight years without delivering the car.
Musk has continued to build anticipation for the event. In a post on X, he said the Roadster unveiling could be “one of the best product demos ever.” The delivery timetable, production specifications and arrangements for reservation holders’ funds remain unresolved; whether they ultimately receive the car will depend on the product and production plans Tesla announces.