LOL
Dork...
I actually drove their 1st test car at an investment conference 6 years ago.
I was walking toward the front door of the conference and this thing goes flying past me, with a high wirrhh and I got this huge grin on my face.
I thought “That is one kewel go-kart”.
So I walk up to this guy, who had the same grin on his face and asked if he knew what the heck that was and if it was some promotion gimmick for the conference.
He laughed and went into this business pitch about how it was the future...
I said “Yeah? Go Karts?”.
He laughed and introduced himself. I was talking to Elon Musk!
Didn’t know who he was but he offered me a test drive.
I’m like “Hell yeah, I want to drive it”.
This thing was zipping by at an incredible speed and when I learned it was all electric I thought “Kewel gimmick”.
So I sat in this electric Formula One and slapped the Go Pedal to metal. Scared the begesus out of me.
Still, I walked away with a huge grin but, still thinking “Ain’t no one gonna buy this POS”.
So, I’m looking at some companies to invest in and he finds me. Strikes up conversation and with great confidence and in business terms talks up the future of his offering.
Yeah, he’s going to start the market with a high end offering and he’s telling me all these details of what the car will offer in amenities and who his initial target market is.
Wants to know if I know any first movers, who acquirer wiz bang crap.
I tell him “Sure. My friend Woz will probably find this very interesting”.
Asks if I would introduce him.
Told him who to contact and next thing I know Woz pings me that it’s a totally kewel innovation, thanking me for putting them in contact.
Sure enough, Woz is getting one, when it comes available.
He’s a dork, interested in all things exclusive that are innovative.
I had spent a day beating up one of his Segway’s at his girlfriend’s and felt “That’s great. He’s actually interested in this dumb thing”.
Turns out, it’s a great car.
I have at three friends who have one or will be getting one.
I’ll have a chance to ride in one next month, when I visit a friend in LA.
They have private jet money and this thing is going to be their kicking around town car, when they are in LA.
Looking forward to giving it a whirl and will post my experience afterwards.
Thanks for the story. I wish Tesla the best. Elon Musk is a perfect example of how successful African Americans can be in this country.
I have at three friends who have one or will be getting one.
I saw one pulling into a Financial District parking garage here in Boston a few weeks ago. GORGEOUS lines on that thing. At first glance I mistook it for a Porsche Pan American, but then I did a double-take and realized the rear wasn't as boxy. Wow.
And it made virtually no noise whatsoever, either.