You may not have heard of Winston Pemberton, but parents around the world will surely be green with envy when they learn what this resourceful 18-year-old from Washington has accomplished. Dubbed a potential contender for ‘Child of the Year,’ Winston has pulled off a feat that has left car enthusiasts and budget-conscious parents alike in awe: he restored not one, but two totaled Tesla vehicles, saving his family tens of thousands of dollars in the process. His journey from wreckage to road-ready vehicles has been documented online, making him an internet sensation among the DIY car repair community.
### **The Beginning: An Auction Win and a Mystery Accident**
Winston’s remarkable story began when he attended a salvage auction, armed with $15,000 of his parents’ money. There, he won a bid for a wrecked 2018 Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD in a striking shade of red. According to him, the actual purchase price was $13,000, but additional fees for taxes and auction charges pushed the total investment to $15,000. His plan? To rebuild the damaged car for his mom, a task that would require not only money but time, skill, and plenty of patience.
The story gained traction online when Winston shared his experience with the popular YouTube channel *Wham Baam Teslacam*, a platform that specializes in Tesla-related content and highlights fascinating stories from Tesla owners and DIY enthusiasts. It was during this process that Winston uncovered a dramatic piece of history related to his newly acquired car.
### **Discovering the Car’s Past: The Moment of Impact**
Once Winston had successfully restored the Model 3, he took the next logical step: retrieving the crash data stored on the Tesla’s onboard computer. The vehicle’s USB drive held footage of the accident that led to its write-off. To his surprise, the video provided a front-row seat to the exact moment the car was totaled. In the clip, the Tesla’s previous owner is seen driving along a seemingly ordinary road when another vehicle suddenly crosses its path from the right, leaving the driver with no time to react. The impact was devastating—resulting in a severe T-bone collision that rendered the Tesla a “total loss” in the eyes of the insurance company.
The damaged Model 3 was subsequently put up for auction by Geico Insurance, where it caught the eye of Winston. Despite the substantial damage, Winston saw potential in the broken shell of a car that many would have written off as beyond saving.
### **The Rebuild: Turning Wreckage Into a Dream Car**
Winston’s approach to rebuilding the Tesla was both meticulous and impressive, requiring hours of hands-on work and a careful eye for detail. He spent $10,000 on car parts alone—everything from fenders to electrical components—plus an additional $1,000 on taxes. In total, his project ended up costing him around $25,000, including the fees for buying a salvaged vehicle without a dealer’s license. While $25,000 might seem like a significant amount, it’s a fraction of the cost of purchasing a brand-new Tesla Model 3, which can easily start at $40,000 or more, depending on the configuration.
Throughout the entire process, Winston documented his progress on his personal YouTube channel, *WinstonsGarage*. On the channel, he shared updates about the step-by-step restoration process, detailing both the challenges he faced and the triumphs he celebrated. From sourcing difficult-to-find parts to tackling the car’s complex software and battery systems, Winston gave viewers an insider’s look at what it takes to bring a Tesla back to life after a major crash.
### **A Tesla Success Story with a Few Hiccups Along the Way**
Although Winston managed to complete his project with stunning success, there were a few bumps in the road. The most notable was a discrepancy in the purchase price: Winston originally reported that he bought the car for $13,000, but later revealed that the additional fees he encountered pushed the cost closer to $15,000. This confusion aside, the outcome was clear—the car was restored and his mom now drives a fully functional Tesla Model 3.
### **Aiming for Tesla’s Attention—and Facing Rejection**
Winston’s impressive achievement naturally led him to set his sights on a bigger goal: working for Tesla. His YouTube journey had gained enough traction that he felt confident applying for a job with the electric car giant, perhaps hoping that his unique skills would catch the attention of Tesla’s famously ambitious CEO, Elon Musk. Unfortunately, Winston’s first attempt did not go as planned. In a candid update video, he revealed that Tesla had opted to go with another candidate. However, the young car enthusiast took the news in stride, maintaining an optimistic outlook and vowing to keep pursuing his dream. He hasn’t ruled out reapplying in the future and seems more determined than ever to continue working on electric vehicles.
### **The Broader Impact: DIY Inspiration and a Growing Fanbase**
Winston’s story has not only made him a rising star in the DIY car repair community but also inspired countless viewers who might have previously been intimidated by the thought of taking on a similar project. The world of electric vehicle repair can be daunting—filled with complex battery systems, cutting-edge technology, and proprietary software. Yet Winston’s success demonstrates that, with enough dedication and resourcefulness, even young enthusiasts can tackle these challenges.
His achievement highlights a broader trend: as electric vehicles become more common, a new wave of DIY mechanics and tech-savvy car enthusiasts are emerging, challenging the conventional wisdom that only certified professionals can handle such advanced technology. Platforms like YouTube are empowering everyday people to learn, share, and innovate, bridging the gap between traditional mechanical skills and the new world of EVs.
### **What’s Next for Winston?**
For now, Winston continues to drive his restored Tesla with pride, enjoying the fruits of his hard work while inspiring others to take a similar plunge into the world of electric vehicles. He hints at the possibility of taking on another Tesla restoration project in the future, teasing his audience with the idea that his next build could be even more ambitious than the first.
With his growing YouTube channel, technical skills, and determination, Winston Pemberton may have a bright future ahead—whether that future involves working for Tesla, becoming a full-time YouTuber, or finding another path in the rapidly expanding electric vehicle industry. Whatever the case, he’s already proven that age is no barrier to achievement, and that a little bit of courage, curiosity, and creativity can go a long way in turning a passion into a career.
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