
A Tesla Roadster was launched into space in February, 2018 on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket as a test payload. This vehicle was a first generation 2008-model Tesla Roadster. The car was personally owned by Elon Musk and used previously for commuting to work. The attached photo of Starman and the Roadster are from SpaceX shot with a camera attached to the front of the car capturing the Earth in the background.
The Roadster was the ninth car launched into space. The first being Lunokhod 0, which crashed on landing in February, 1969. Other vehicles include Lunokhod 1-2, Apollo Lunar Roving Vehicle (Moon Buggy), Prop-M, Sojourner, Mars Exploration Rover Spirit, Lunar Rover Yutu and Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity, which all launched before the Tesla Roadster. Some of these vehicles never operated, but then again, neither did the Roadster.
As far as the color, I would suggest being the CEO of Tesla might come with privileges, like choosing your own color.