A Tesla Model S sun visor signed by Elon Musk — not including any other piece of the car — sold for $11,363.75 Wednesday night at RR Auctions. The car's base price upon release was $97,900.
Signed in 2013 by Musk, Tesla’s CEO, the consignor describes themselves as an “early adopter to the Model S,” receiving delivery of the vehicle in March 2013, shortly after its introduction.
They were offered the opportunity to pick the car up in person at the Tesla design center in Hawthorne, CA, where Musk would be present to greet customers.
“This was very early on and Elon was not the 'Elon' that he is today—I didn't know much other than I was an auto enthusiast and this was something unique,” the consignor wrote in a note included in the auction description. “So, when I went to pick up the Tesla, sure enough, Elon was there taking time with each customer—maybe a total of four.”
Musk made his way over to the consignor along with an assistant, showing them how the radio on the new car worked, and offered to sign the car.
“My initial thought was, interesting—he's like the EV Carroll Shelby,” they said, referencing the legendary automaker.
Though the consignor sold the vehicle within a couple years due to the drive units burning through and growing tired of maintenance, they swapped out the visor, stashing it in a filing cabinet for years before bringing it to auction.
Musk-related memorabilia has surged in recent years. Even as he said he would no longer sign autographs beginning in 2022, a steady stream of items continue to gain steam as he has emerged as a key figure in our national discourse and politics. A signed SpaceX business card sold for nearly $40,000 in March while a signed $100 bill fetched $18,678 in November.
Will Stern is a reporter and editor for cllct.