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Tesla owner smashes glass roof in strange conversion project

Credit: YouTube | Danny Duncan

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Tesla owners everywhere probably have some things they wish they could change about their cars. Some may want a cloth interior, and some may want to have a more spacious center console. In the case of YouTuber Danny Duncan, he wanted a convertible, so much so, that he chopped the roof off of his Tesla Model 3 after a friend smashed the car’s glass roof.

Duncan is a prominent YouTuber with over 4.55 million subscribers to his satirical comedy channel that consists of stunts and pranks. However, one day in 2020, Duncan decided to take his spontaneity to an entirely new level by making a convertible out of his all-electric sedan.

Although he jokingly claims that he was forced to do it because a friend of his shattered the glass roof, Duncan seemed more than enthusiastic to take his Model 3 to a local fabrication and bodywork facility to make his vehicle unlike any other.

Credit: YouTube | Danny Duncan

“I always wanted a convertible. Tesla doesn’t make a convertible. So, I took it here. I said, ‘Make this Tesla into a convertible.’ Then, I’ll have everything I wanted,” Duncan said.

A controversial topic for many owners, damaging any of the company’s vehicles is somewhat of a taboo subject within the community. A recent video that surfaced of someone kicking out a Model 3 dash screen was popular for owners to view, but not for the right reasons.

Damaging a Tesla intentionally has always been a sensitive topic for many of the company’s loyal enthusiasts. But more than that, the vehicles are not inexpensive, and the act of intentionally ruining an electric car manufactured by the Silicon Valley company is sure to get some backlash.

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Duncan’s convertible Model 3. (Credit: YouTube | Danny Duncan)

But Duncan’s controversial move was popular among some drivers on the road in Inglewood, California, where he took a drive after receiving his completely modified Model 3.

One pickup truck owner who was driving down the same street as the convertible Model 3 pulled up beside Duncan and complimented the chopped-down EV. “Frickin’ awesome pal,” the man said to the YouTube sensation.

Of course, doing anything like this will void your vehicle’s warranty. Cosmetic damage is explicitly mentioned in the company’s “Parts, Body, & Paint Repair” limited warranty handbook. The document states that the company’s coverage does not include “any damage or malfunction directly or indirectly caused by, due to, or resulting from, normal wear or deterioration, abuse, misuse.” So, Duncan’s hopes of getting a new Tesla from Elon Musk are slim.

Although Tesla has not had a convertible model since its original 2008 Roadster, those who are thirsting to have the fresh air dawn on them from their all-electric vehicle will have to spend a cool $250,000 on the company’s next-gen Roadster. The remake of the company’s original automobile will likely be produced in Fremont at Tesla’s main production facility.

A testament to clickbait culture, Duncan’s modification on his Model 3 is sure to drive some people up a wall. Nobody enjoys seeing a correctly functioning sustainable vehicle go to waste, but Duncan certainly wanted his Model 3 convertible, and he was going to get it in any way he could.

Watch Danny Duncan’s Model 3 convertible video below. Please be advised: there is explicit language, so the video is Not Suitable for Work.

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Joey has been a journalist covering electric mobility at TESLARATI since August 2019. In his spare time, Joey is playing golf, watching MMA, or cheering on any of his favorite sports teams, including the Baltimore Ravens and Orioles, Miami Heat, Washington Capitals, and Penn State Nittany Lions. You can get in touch with joey at joey@teslarati.com. He is also on X @KlenderJoey. If you're looking for great Tesla accessories, check out shop.teslarati.com

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Tesla brings perhaps the coolest interior feature to cars in latest update

Tesla adds on to the “fun” aspect of its vehicles.

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Credit: Tesla

Tesla has brought perhaps the coolest interior feature to its cars in a new update that is rolling out to vehicles now.

The feature will require a newer vehicle that has interior ambient lighting, which is present on the new Model S, Model X, Model 3 “Highland,” and Model Y “Juniper.” The Cybertruck also has ambient lighting strips throughout.

Tesla Model Y’s ambient lighting design changes revealed in leaked video

With the Version 2025.26+ Software Update, Tesla is rolling out a new “Sync Accent Lights w/ Music” feature, which is available on the Tesla Toybox:

To enable the feature, you’ll access the Toybox, choose “Light Sync,” and then choose “Sync Accent Lights w/ Music.”

Although it does not improve the performance of the vehicle, it is yet another example of Tesla making one of the coolest cars out there. This is truly a cool add-on that can be used to impress your friends and family.

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xAI, Musk Foundation helps schools near Memphis supercomputer site

Reports of xAI and the Musk Foundation’s work were recently posted by local news media.

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(Credit: xAI)

Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence startup xAI and the Musk Foundation have been supporting Memphis-Shelby County Schools with HVAC repairs and facility upgrades, while also funding youth programs for students in the area. 

Reports of xAI and the Musk Foundation’s work were recently posted by local news media.

xAI’s school visits lead to facility repairs

Representatives from xAI visited John P. Freeman Optional School, Fairley High School, and Westwood High School, all of which are located near its Colossus supercomputer site, to assess HVAC systems, plumbing, gym facilities, and athletic fields. The visits resulted in a list of priority repairs, some of which were completed in April and May.

In addition to the repairs, xAI also shared a number of initiatives that are planned for students in the area, as stated in a Commercial Appeal report.

“xAI is working on providing STEM workshops for local students, donating equipment to technical training programs, and supporting job fairs to boost employment opportunities. These initiatives reflect xAl’s commitment to fostering education and economic growth in Memphis,” xAI noted in a statement.

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Musk Foundation donation

Apart from xAI, the Musk Foundation also donated $350,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis, enabling the reopening of two club sites located at Booker T. Washington High School and Westwood High School. Both locations had closed earlier this year due to lapses in funding. As per xAI, the Musk Foundation’s donation allows clubs to reopen for almost 1,000 students. 

The donation will fund staffing, supplies, and transportation, among others. “Kids are the future of humanity,” Elon Musk said in a statement, adding that students need “every chance to shoot for the stars.”

“We’re honored to support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis in reopening these sites, giving kids in underserved communities the tools to build brighter futures,” Musk said.

The gift was praised by local officials, including Boys & Girls Clubs board chair Michael Garriga, who stated that the “commitment will ensure the youth of our community have the opportunities they need to develop their skills and talents to become successful students and future citizens.”

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EV fans urge Tesla to acquire Unplugged Performance for edge in fleet and security industry

Unplugged Performance has built a name for itself by producing performance upgrades for Tesla vehicles.

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Credit: Unplugged Performance

A growing number of Tesla enthusiasts and longtime community voices are calling on the electric vehicle maker to acquire Unplugged Performance, a California-based aftermarket company best known for tuning Tesla vehicles and developing specialized government fleet solutions under its UP.FIT division.

The idea was once considered a niche proposal among EV fans, but it is now gaining serious attention not just as a performance play but as a strategic move to deepen Tesla’s roots in the fleet and security industry. 

A strategic fit

Unplugged Performance has built a name for itself by producing performance upgrades for Tesla vehicles, from track-optimized components to visual and aerodynamic upgrades. But in recent years, its UP.FIT division has pivoted toward a more functional future by outfitting Tesla vehicles like Model Ys for police, military, and government use.

That work has sparked growing calls for closer collaboration with Tesla, especially as the EV maker increasingly leans into autonomy, AI, and fleet services as core components of its next chapter.

“I posted this four years ago, but I think it’s more true now than ever,” wrote Whole Mars Catalog, a well-known Tesla investor and FSD Beta tester, on X. “Tesla should buy Unplugged. But not just as a Performance division. What they are doing with UP.FIT unlocks large government and commercial fleet purchases that can improve utilization.”

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Tesla fans such as shareholder Sawyer Merritt echoed the sentiment, calling Unplugged a “great fit within Tesla.” adding, “They are literally located directly next to Tesla’s design studio in Hawthorne.”

Enabling the next wave

Supporters of the idea noted that integrating Unplugged into Tesla’s corporate structure could help accelerate the adoption of autonomous technologies in government sectors. With UP.FIT patrol cars already in use across some U.S. police departments, Tesla fans envisioned a future where self-driving Teslas could potentially revolutionize law enforcement, search-and-rescue, and public service logistics.

“Just imagine how autonomous patrol cars could transform policing and bring us into a safer future,” the veteran FSD tester wrote.

The benefits could also extend to Tesla’s existing consumer base. “They also have some incredible products in the works that I think will appeal to many ordinary Tesla drivers — not just those looking for performance or mods. Stuff that’s so good it should have come straight from the design studio next door,” Whole Mars Catalog noted.

Unplugged Performance, founded in 2013, shares not just a product vision with Tesla, but also geography. Its Hawthorne headquarters sits directly adjacent to Tesla’s design studio, and the two companies have maintained a close working relationship over the years. The aftermarket firm has long positioned itself as a “mission-aligned” partner to Tesla.

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In response to the recent calls for acquisition, Unplugged Performance acknowledged the support from the community. “Our very existence is to support the Tesla mission with @UpfitTesla and @UnpluggedTesla,” Unplugged CEO Ben Schaffer posted on X. “We love working with Tesla and are grateful for the community’s support since 2013!”

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