# 2017 Tesla Roadster Could Have Been A Car, The 2028 Tesla Roadster Will Never Be

> Tesla's 2017 Roadster was a real car; its 2028 version is a flying stunt for Elon Musk.
- Title: 2017 Tesla Roadster Could Have Been A Car, The 2028 Tesla…
- Summary: Tesla's 2017 Roadster was a real car; its 2028 version is a flying stunt for Elon Musk. Tesla's 2017 Roadster concept could have sold to wealthy buyers, but…
- Keywords: tesla, roadster, elton musk, 2017, 2028, flying car, space x, shareholder primacy, preorder, cars, culture, Car
- Source: Jalopnik — https://jalopnik.com/2288906/tesla-roadster-vaporware-concept
- Author: Amber DaSilva
- Published: 2026-10-16T16:30:51+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: tesla, roadster, elton musk, 2017, 2028, flying car, space x, ai, shareholder primacy, preorder, cars, culture
## 2017 Roadster Concept
Tesla revealed a 2017 Roadster concept with a claimed 1.8 second zero to 60 time and 620 miles of range.
## 2028 Roadster Reveal
Tesla unveiled a 2028 Roadster as a hardtop two-seater that hits 60 in 0.81 seconds and 'flies'.
## 2017 Roadster Promises
The 2017 Roadster promised the fastest zero to 60 time of any production car up to that point and 620 miles of range.
## 2028 Roadster Design
The 2028 Roadster is styled after the F-35 and SR-71 with white paint and gold-tinted glass.
## Shareholder Primacy
Tesla's business model prioritizes shareholders over customers, making the Roadster for investors rather than buyers.
## Elon Musk's Vision
Elon Musk tweeted seven years ago that the Roadster would fly, and SpaceX engineers created a flying prototype.
## 2028 Roadster Purpose
The 2028 Roadster is a stunt rig designed to tease a SpaceX-Tesla merger and satisfy Musk's personal need for a flying car.
## 2028 Production Timeline
Musk claims the 2028 Roadster will start production in 2028, but this is unlikely to happen.
## 2017 Roadster Feasibility
The 2017 Roadster could have been a real car with dedicated engineering for wealthy buyers.
## 2028 Roadster Reality
The 2028 Roadster is a balsa wood model full of compressed air, not a practical vehicle for customers.
## Investor Target
The 2028 Roadster is for retail investors who want a new desktop wallpaper, not for car buyers.
## Key takeaway

Tesla's 2017 Roadster concept could have sold to wealthy buyers, but the 2028 Roadster is a flying stunt for Elon Musk's personal projects.