Corvette Generations:
C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8
Corvette: Year by Year
1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 19631964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974
1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985
1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
"Show Me The Money!"
Classic Corvette ownership has one very amazing advantage: do it right, and owning / driving the greatest sports car produced in America is free.
How this is possible is based on the simple theory that a desirable work of art, for which the demand exceeds the supply, will appreciate. Do a good job of purchasing the right car and make good choices during your ownership and the asset will climb in value.
There are some rules that must be followed to attain this automotive enthusiast nirvana. To start with, driving is limited as a lot of miles added will detract from the value, both in terms of overall miles and the wear and tear that accompanies heavy usage. You also must maintain it such that as the years go by, the condition is at least preserved or improved upon.
Those with a business background may argue the point. They'll point out that there are many costs that are often ignored such as storage, taxes and labor. All valid points of course, but it is still possible to own a very special automobile and come out a $$ winner.
With all that as a background, I'll be keeping a blog of the expenses incurred in the course of owning a 1968 Corvette convertible.
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| December-00-0000 | $0.00 | ||
| December-00-0000 | $0.00 | ||
| June-08-2011 | Department of Motor Vehicles | Sales tax and DMV fees | $2,063.00 |
| June-08-2011 | Mercury | Insurance, annual | $409.00 |
| June-08-2011 | Original owner | 1968 Safari Yellow Corvette Convertible | $21,000.00 |
| July-16-2011 | Mike Bradley's Automotive | Brake caliper / machine front rotors (labor) | $218.90 |
| July-16-2011 | Mike Bradley's Automotive | Right rear spring pad bolt & nut | $14.75 |
| July-16-2011 | Mike Bradley's Automotive | Replace rear spring pad bushings / cut off right bolt and replace | $139.30 |
| July-16-2011 | Mike Bradley's Automotive | Shipping | $9.50 |
| July-16-2011 | Mike Bradley's Automotive | Replace headlight switch (labor) | $39.80 |
| July-16-2011 | Mike Bradley's Automotive | Replace left rear axle bearings and seal (labor) | $208.95 |
| July-16-2011 | Mike Bradley's Automotive | Remove / install speedometer / tachometer (labor) | $248.75 |
| July-16-2011 | Mike Bradley's Automotive | Rebuild speedometer / odometer / tachometer | $500.00 |
| July-16-2011 | Mike Bradley's Automotive | Spring pad bushing | $29.85 |
| July-16-2011 | Mike Bradley's Automotive | Headlight switch | $89.90 |
| July-16-2011 | Mike Bradley's Automotive | Grease Seals | $21.86 |
| July-16-2011 | Mike Bradley's Automotive | Seal | $20.82 |
| July-16-2011 | Mike Bradley's Automotive | Bearing | $17.25 |
| July-16-2011 | Mike Bradley's Automotive | Race | $8.41 |
| July-16-2011 | Mike Bradley's Automotive | Bearing | $17.98 |
| July-16-2011 | Mike Bradley's Automotive | Front brake calipers | $365.50 |
| July-16-2011 | Mike Bradley's Automotive | Oil Seal | $38.40 |
| July-16-2011 | Mike Bradley's Automotive | Inspection / Evaluation | $109.45 |
| November-07-2011 | Zip Corvette | Shipping / Handling | $34.74 |
| November-07-2011 | Zip Corvette | Seat Mount Shim Kit w/bag | $30.00 |
| November-07-2011 | Zip Corvette | Quartz Clock | $169.95 |
| November-07-2011 | Zip Corvette | Black Vinyl Floor Mats | $32.95 |
| November-07-2011 | Zip Corvette | Reproduction inside mirror + Miscellaneous | $142.60 |
| November-07-2011 | Zip Corvette | Key Fob | $8.95 |
| February-19-2012 | CA DMV | Personalized Plates \"SFRI YLW\" | $49.00 |
| February-25-2012 | Mike Bradley's Automotive | Carb rebuild labor / installation / adjustment | $218.90 |
| February-25-2012 | Mike Bradley's Automotive | Carb rebuild kit / Fuel filter / Float | $75.25 |
| February-25-2012 | Mike Bradley's Automotive | Oil, Oil Filter, Zinc Additive | $38.31 |
| March-12-2012 | Mike Bradley\'s Automotive | Rear Brake Calipers | $359.20 |
| March-12-2012 | Mile Bradley's Automotive | Labor - Rear Brake Caliper Repair | $199.00 |
| March-17-2012 | Pep Boys | Bosch Battery 24-700B | $117.04 |
| May-12-2012 | Mike Bradley's Automotive | Brake Master Cylinder / Fluid | $96.47 |
| May-12-2012 | Mike Bradley's Automotive | Brake Master Cylinder Labor | $119.40 |
| November-20-2012 | CSSB Inc | Deluxe Front End Rebuild Kit stage III p/n SU01B_68 1 with POLY VV-SU00B_68; polyurethane bushings | $360.00 |
| November-20-2012 | Paul Wustrack | Oil pan gasket; radiator cap; thermostat | $37.18 |
| November-30-2012 | Paul Wustrack | Oil / Filter | $35.23 |
| November-30-2012 | Paul Wustrack | Shocks, Center Links | $200.00 |
| November-30-2012 | Paul Wustrack | Exhaust Gasket | $0.00 |
| November-30-2012 | Paul Wustrack | Labor: Front end rebuild; oil change; valve cover gasket; exhaust gasket; oil pan gasket; oil pan repair; miscellaneous items. | $1,425.00 |
| December-01-2012 | Service Tire Company | Four wheel alignment | $80.00 |
| March-12-2013 | Zip-Corvette | 67-69 Steering Column Coupler - Lower w/Rag Joint | $99.99 |
| April-15-2013 | Paul Wustrack | Labor - install steering couple, misc. front end / steering work | $150.00 |
| April-20-2013 | AutoZone | Header Gasket | $21.95 |
| May-09-2013 | Summit Racing | BFG SILVERTOWN REDLINE TIRE x 4 | $960.95 |
| May-14-2013 | Service Tire Co. | Mount, balance four tires, four wheel alignment | $180.00 |
| June-13-2013 | Eckler's Corvette | Seat Back Pivot Screw, 1963-1970 Early; Seat Pivot Screw Washers, 1963-1978 | $15.97 |
| June-24-2013 | Dave - Corvette Boneyard | 1969 steering wheel, reproduction horn button, salvaged horn switch, misc. steering wheel adapter parts | $275.00 |
| August-09-2013 | Paul Wustrack | Labor - installation of steering wheel | $50.00 |
| February-01-2014 | J&D Corvette | Labor: align alternator and bolt to head properly: $95; align alternator and bolt to head properly: $145; replace fan clutch: $35; speedo cable: $95; diff. service: $49.50; trans oil service: 449.50; adjust shifter linkage: $55.10; oil / lube / filter: $20 | $544.10 |
| February-01-2014 | J & D Corvette | alternator belt: $16.95; alternator bracket (used): $69; water pump: $89.99; coolant: $25; lower radiator hose: $27.95; water pump pulley: $79.99; hose clamps: $3; 5 blade fan: $79; fan clutch: $279; speedo cable: $23.99; diff oil additive: $9.95; diff oil: $19.95; trans oil: $18.95; Conv. oil: $14.95; oil filter: $5.99; waste disposal: $3.50; sales tax: $68.73 | $835.99 |
| December-03-2016 | West Valley Service Center | Oil Change | $21.75 |
| October-24-2017 | West Valley Service Center | Tune Up, tune up parts | $285.14 |
| November-17-2017 | Gil's Muffler Shop | Exhaust System | $792.75 |
| November-20-2017 | Eckler's | Key Blank, quantity: three | $20.76 |
| April-27-2018 | Automotive Classics | Tune up, Plugs, Wires, Valve Cover Gasket, Header Gasket, Fuel Filter, Fuel Pump | $986.29 |
| July-12-2018 | Automotive Classics | R&R Heater core, Thermostat. | $632.63 |
| Total: | $35,273.81 | ||
Fuel Cost
I've kept a log of every fill-up, at least those after the odometer was repaired; it wouldn't have made sense to record them with the odometer not functioning. As of December 21, 2024 I've driven it 22,078 miles. The overall fuel economy is 15.96 MPG. There have been 143 fill ups. With a total fuel cost of $6,890.66, the average gasoline cost is $4.12 per gallon. All fill-ups have been with 91 octane gasoline, the highest grade available in California.
I've kept a log of every fill-up, at least those after the odometer was repaired; it wouldn't have made sense to record them with the odometer not functioning. As of December 21, 2024 I've driven it 22,078 miles. The overall fuel economy is 15.96 MPG. There have been 143 fill ups. With a total fuel cost of $6,890.66, the average gasoline cost is $4.12 per gallon. All fill-ups have been with 91 octane gasoline, the highest grade available in California.
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Comments (3)
Just wanted to add to my comments. I never thought of the C3 body style as "coke bottle" rather I referred to it as "Mako Shark" type.
Great information thank you for all your work putting this together. I had a 1968 convertible 327/350 hp, LeMans Blue/ white top, 4spd.I bought it in 1970 and it still had the firestone redline tires on it. Two weeks later the right rear axle bearing basicly melted, what a learning experience that was. 10 years later I was the Corvette,heavy duty truck,and motorhome mechanic at lyman Slack Chevrolet in Portland Oregon.A couple of things I noticed as per differences between early and late 68's was the late's had a brace between the fender and the wheel well at the hood hinge area to help keep the Fiberglas from cracking in that area.Also the trim piece that runs under the front fender back to the rear wheel well was black on the early's but silver on the later models (as I remember it ) so I painted mine silver. My steering wheel looked to be wood and I never had a left hand clearance problem with it.
I Love Corvette Stingrays. Always have‼ i used to work at a Corvette shop in Westport plaza in Maryland Heights Mo. from 1977 to 1982. I've owned a 67 a 73 and a 79. Always something to learn. Great hobby❗