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Tesla tale: A man, his Model 3, his silver Aero Wheels, and serendipity

[Credit: Peter Lafford/Facebook]

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Peter Lafford owns a Model 3 with stunning silver Aero Wheels. While the electric car already draws the eye with its classic Tesla looks and the clever mod on its wheels, the story behind the vehicle is noteworthy. Here is a Tesla tale of a man, his Model 3, its modded Aeros, and serendipity.

Peter’s first hands-on encounter with Tesla happened in September 2013, when his father, Dr. Lindsay Lafford, who was then 100 years old, was given a special ride in his kidney specialist’s Model S. His father, who passed away in 2014 at the ripe age of 101, was a thoroughbred car enthusiast, keeping an online presence that chronicled his passion for automobiles. As could be seen in a video of the special day, Lindsay thoroughly enjoyed his ride in the Model S, praising the car and describing it as “unbelievable.”

While Peter and his wife were impressed by the full-sized luxury sedan, they were not really in the market for the upscale vehicle. That was why when Elon Musk finally decided to bring the mass-market Model 3 to the market, he and his wife immediately decided to join the Tesla family. Peter would be one of the Day 1 line-waiters at the Tesla showroom in Scottsdale Fashion Square, becoming one of the customers to place reservations at the store.

As Peter prepared to leave the Tesla showroom, serendipity struck. A Tesla employee from the store gave him some refreshments — a bottle of Crystal Geyser spring water — with a sell by date of 03/02/2018. Exactly 14 years from the date printed on the bottle, Peter and his father came upon the Crystal Geyser bottling plant in Olancha, California while road-tripping on Lindsay’s Honda Insight Hybrid, one of three vehicles in Phoenix.

“Every Crystal Geyser bottle I see reminds me of that trip, and with the Tesla connection I have with my father, I get the feeling he’s helping push things along,” Peter wrote in a blog post.   

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Peter’s Model 3 was ultimately delivered on March 16, two weeks short of two years from his reservation date. The Model 3 delivery carried another notable coincidence. As it turned out, Peter’s silver Model 3 was VIN 8757, which was strangely reminiscent of the numbers on his father’s Honda Insight Hybrid, which had a VIN ending in 867. On the way home a few days after taking delivery of his Model 3, Peter also glimpsed BA289, a British Airways 747 flight. That particular flight had a connection to his father as well, as Lindsay usually took the same trip back to Phoenix after frequent summer trips to England.

With a series of serendipitous connections to his father’s memories, Peter opted to make his Model 3 truly stand out. He initially decided to upgrade the car’s OEM wheels with 18-inch Turbine wheels from T-Sportline. Eventually, however, he decided to do something a little more unique for his electric car.

Tapping the expertise of Car Pro Collision Center, an auto body shop in the area, Peter opted to have his Aero Wheel covers painted silver. The results, as could be seen, are quite stunning, and it only cost $250. The silver Aero Wheels simply work with the Model 3, and judging by how well it blended with the car’s overall design; the mod could match the electric car’s other color options too.

Tesla is currently in the process of ramping up the production of the Model 3. In a recently leaked email from Elon Musk, it was revealed that the company is attempting to push Model 3 production to 3,000-4,000-a-week levels after a scheduled halt in the vehicle’s manufacturing. By the end of the second quarter, Tesla is aiming to produce 5,000 Model 3 per week, with options such as dual-motor AWD variants possibly being offered in July.

Watch Peter and his late dad’s first encounter with a Tesla in the video below.

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Simon is an experienced automotive reporter with a passion for electric cars and clean energy. Fascinated by the world envisioned by Elon Musk, he hopes to make it to Mars (at least as a tourist) someday. For stories or tips--or even to just say a simple hello--send a message to his email, simon@teslarati.com or his handle on X, @ResidentSponge.

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Tesla Cybertruck takes a bump from epic failing Dodge Charger

The Cybertruck seemed unharmed by the charging Charger.

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Credit: Hammer_of_something/Reddit

There comes a time in a driver’s life when one is faced with one’s limitations. For the driver of a Dodge Charger, this time came when he lost control and crashed into a Tesla Cybertruck–an absolute epic fail. 

A video of the rather unfortunate incident was shared on the r/TeslaLounge subreddit.

Charging Charger Fails

As could be seen in the video, which was posted on the subreddit by Model Y owner u/Hammer_of_something, a group of teens in a Dodge Charger decided to do some burnouts at a Tesla Supercharger. Unfortunately, the driver of the Charger failed in his burnout or donut attempt, resulting in the mopar sedan going over a curb and bumping a charging Cybertruck.

Ironically, the Dodge Charger seemed to have been parked at a Supercharger stall before its driver decided to perform the failed stunt. This suggests that the vehicle was likely ICE-ing a charging stall before it had its epic fail moment. Amusingly enough, the subreddit member noted that the Cybertruck did not seem like it took any damage at all despite its bump. The Charger, however, seemed like it ran into some trouble after crashing into the truck.

Alleged Aftermath

As per the the r/TeslaLounge subreddit member, the Cybertruck owner came rushing out to his vehicle after the Dodge Charger crashed into it. The Model Y owner then sent over the full video of the incident, which clearly showed the Charger attempting a burnout, failing, and bumping into the Cybertruck. The Cybertruck owner likely appreciated the video, in part because it showed the driver of the Dodge Charger absolutely freaking out after the incident.

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The Cybertruck is not an impregnable vehicle, but it can take bumps pretty well thanks to its thick stainless steel body. Based on this video, it appears that the Cybertruck can even take bumps from a charging Charger, all while chilling and charging at a Supercharger. As for the teens in the Dodge, they likely had to provide a long explanation to authorities after the incident, since the cops were called to the location.

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Anti-Elon Musk group crushes Tesla Model 3 with Sherman tank–with unexpected results

Ironically enough, the group’s video ended up highlighting something very positive for Tesla.

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Credit: Led By Donkeys/X

Anti-Elon Musk protesters and critics tend to show their disdain for the CEO in various ways, but a recent video from political action group Led By Donkeys definitely takes the cake when it comes to creativity.

Ironially enough, the group’s video also ended up highlighting something very positive for Tesla.

Tank vs. Tesla

In its video, Led By Donkeys featured Ken Turner, a 98-year-old veteran who served in the British army during World War II. The veteran stated that Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, is “using his immense power to support the far-right in Europe, and his money comes from Tesla cars.” 

He also noted that he had a message for the Tesla CEO: “We’ve crushed fascism before and we’ll crush it again.” To emphasize his point, the veteran proceeded to drive a Sherman tank over a blue Tesla Model 3 sedan, which, of course, had a plate that read “Fascism.” 

The heavy tank crushed the Model 3’s glass roof and windows, much to the delight of Led By Donkeys’ commenters on its official YouTube channel. But at the end of it all, the aftermath of the anti-Elon Musk demonstration ended up showcasing something positive for the electric vehicle maker.

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Tesla Model 3 Tanks the Tank?

As could be seen from the wreckage of the Tesla Model 3 after its Sherman encounter, only the glass roof and windows of the all-electric sedan were crushed. Looking at the wreckage of the Model 3, it seemed like its doors could still be opened, and everything on its lower section looked intact.

Considering that a standard M4 Sherman weighs about 66,800 to 84,000 pounds, the Model 3 actually weathered the tank’s assault really well. Granted, the vehicle’s suspension height before the political action group’s demonstration suggests that the Model 3’s high voltage battery had been removed beforehand. But even if it hadn’t been taken off, it seemed like the vehicle’s battery would have survived the heavy ordeal without much incident.

This was highlighted in comments from users on social media platform X, many of whom noted that a person in the Model 3 could very well have survived the ordeal with the Sherman. And that, ultimately, just speaks to the safety of Tesla’s vehicles. There is a reason why Teslas consistently rank among the safest cars on the road, after all.

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Tesla Model 3 driver is using FSD to travel to Mt. Everest Base Camp

The ambitious, nearly 4,000-kilometer (2,485-mile) Tesla FSD journey is being livestreamed on Chinese social media.

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Credit: Douyin 老高懂电车

Count on Tesla drivers in China to push Full Self Driving (FSD) as far as it could go. As could be seen in videos posted on Chinese social media, a brave Model 3 owner is currently going on an epic journey from Henan Province to the base camp of Mt. Everest on FSD.

Recent posts from the Model 3 driver suggest that the ambitious destination may be within reach.

Epic FSD Journey

As noted by Tesla owner-enthusiast Aaron Li, the journey from Henan Province to the base camp of Mt. Everest spans almost 4,000 kilometers (2,485 miles). The journey itself is epic, with stunning vistas and roads that require some drivers to bring oxygen canisters with them. The fact that it is being done using FSD makes it extra impressive. 

Based on the videos that have been recently shared, the Model 3 running FSD seems to be nearing the Everest Base Camp. There seems to be a good chance that the Tesla Model 3 may reach its destination this Friday.

Previous Everest Trips

This is not the first time that a Tesla has driven to Mt. Everest’s base camp.  That would be a Model 3 that was driven in September 2020. That vehicle, which went on a long 5,500 km (3,400-mile) journey, was manually driven to its destination. 

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In April 2021, Tesla China announced that it has completed the buildout of 11 Supercharger stations in the picturesque route from Chengdu to Tingri. This route would allow drivers to reach the base camp of Mt. Everest. Sure enough, in July 2022, Tesla China shared a video of two Teslas—a Model X and Model Y—reaching the Everest base camp without any issues. Numerous other Tesla drivers have since taken on the long, picturesque journey.

Check out this Tesla Model Y’s journey to the Mt. Everest base camp in the video below.

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