Something every C4 owner should do...
Thread Starter
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 14,057
Likes: 1
From: Houston Texas
Something every C4 owner should do...
Corvette History Binder
Create a binder to organize and keep track of all records for your Corvette. This is much easier to do when you buy your car and are all excited than when you sell your car and you don't have the time or energy to do this for the next owner. I think it will also help a little when I sell my car because it will give the buyer a lot of the information he needs and an added level of comfort.
Here is what I did...
I went to Wal-mart and bought a Mead Five-Star First Gear zipper binder in black for about $8.00. The outside is a soft, padded canvas-like material. On the inside there is a small net zipper pouch, 3 pen holders, large 3-ring binder loops, and some miscellaneous pockets. I looked at a lot of binders, but thought this was the best one. (I'll take some pics if someone will post them on this thread). I then bought 50 heavy-duty top-loading clear plastic sheet protectors (WilsonJones brand - about $3.50) to insert into the 3 ring loops.
Contents of my Corvette History Binder
- 2001 Corvette Video (fits perfectly in the zippered net pocket)
- 38-page oversized 2001 color sales brochure (fits perfectly in largest pocket between plastic lining and zipper pocket)
- Original reproduction window sticker (The rest of these items are in sheet protectors)
- Original reproduction build sheet
- Stickers and paperwork from used car dealer
- Warranty certificate (because this will be passed on to new owner)
- Vin # vehicle inquiry printout
- Copy of AutoTrader ad where I first saw my car!
- 8 page carfax report (each page in a separate sheet protector)
- Service records
- Various receipts for mods
Other ideas I have not included yet:
- Sheet protectors with inserts for photos (before and after photos, etc.)
- Owner's manual will fit in the binder, but I keep it elsewhere
- Notes for projects yet to be completed
- CDs with dyno runs, pics, etc
Think of how much help this would be 20 years from now when the 4th owner is doing a frame-off restoration. Collectors who restore Corvettes from the 1950s and 1960s would love to have all of this original documentation in one binder, but rarely get that lucky.
When I sell my car in a few years it should be easy for the next owner to pick up where I left off and add new records in the remaining empty sheet protectors.
I wouldn't go through all of this trouble for a "Get from A to B car", but this is a Corvette and it's worth it!
Create a binder to organize and keep track of all records for your Corvette. This is much easier to do when you buy your car and are all excited than when you sell your car and you don't have the time or energy to do this for the next owner. I think it will also help a little when I sell my car because it will give the buyer a lot of the information he needs and an added level of comfort.
Here is what I did...
I went to Wal-mart and bought a Mead Five-Star First Gear zipper binder in black for about $8.00. The outside is a soft, padded canvas-like material. On the inside there is a small net zipper pouch, 3 pen holders, large 3-ring binder loops, and some miscellaneous pockets. I looked at a lot of binders, but thought this was the best one. (I'll take some pics if someone will post them on this thread). I then bought 50 heavy-duty top-loading clear plastic sheet protectors (WilsonJones brand - about $3.50) to insert into the 3 ring loops.
Contents of my Corvette History Binder
- 2001 Corvette Video (fits perfectly in the zippered net pocket)
- 38-page oversized 2001 color sales brochure (fits perfectly in largest pocket between plastic lining and zipper pocket)
- Original reproduction window sticker (The rest of these items are in sheet protectors)
- Original reproduction build sheet
- Stickers and paperwork from used car dealer
- Warranty certificate (because this will be passed on to new owner)
- Vin # vehicle inquiry printout
- Copy of AutoTrader ad where I first saw my car!
- 8 page carfax report (each page in a separate sheet protector)
- Service records
- Various receipts for mods
Other ideas I have not included yet:
- Sheet protectors with inserts for photos (before and after photos, etc.)
- Owner's manual will fit in the binder, but I keep it elsewhere
- Notes for projects yet to be completed
- CDs with dyno runs, pics, etc
Think of how much help this would be 20 years from now when the 4th owner is doing a frame-off restoration. Collectors who restore Corvettes from the 1950s and 1960s would love to have all of this original documentation in one binder, but rarely get that lucky.
When I sell my car in a few years it should be easy for the next owner to pick up where I left off and add new records in the remaining empty sheet protectors.
I wouldn't go through all of this trouble for a "Get from A to B car", but this is a Corvette and it's worth it!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,097
Likes: 2
From: Cincinnati Oh
Re: Something every C4 owner should do... (NBM C5 WANNABE)
:cheers:
Already do it to a degree, everything is in Excel with all reciepts in a file. The guy who bought my truck got a 4 page excel spreadsheet showing maintenance, mods, and dates for everything.
Already do it to a degree, everything is in Excel with all reciepts in a file. The guy who bought my truck got a 4 page excel spreadsheet showing maintenance, mods, and dates for everything.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 436
Likes: 0
From: Soon to be: Orlando FL
Re: Something every C4 owner should do... (NBM C5 WANNABE)
I have one with everything that every came with my 84 I am the second owner and I have all of the finance papers and everything you could dream of!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,246
Likes: 0
From: Mountain Home AR
Re: Something every C4 owner should do... (NBM C5 WANNABE)
Great idea. Thanks for the tip. I keep everything in a folder. But I'm thinking on keeping my Vette for a long time. Till it becomes a classic. :lol:
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Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,315
Likes: 245
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
Re: Something every C4 owner should do... (corvette-pilot)
:cool: idea !
Sure beats my manila folder stuffed with papers :rolleyes:
Sure beats my manila folder stuffed with papers :rolleyes:
I'm not very organized :smash: :smash:
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 11,573
Likes: 10
From: Louisiana
St. Jude Donor '07
Re: Something every C4 owner should do... (corvette-pilot)
:cool: idea !
Sure beats my manila folder stuffed with papers :rolleyes:
Sure beats my manila folder stuffed with papers :rolleyes:
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Fayetville AR
Re: Something every C4 owner should do... (NBM C5 WANNABE)
I started something similiar, but not as nice. I also keep printouts of things left to do, such as how to polish my wheels, replace window seals, list of codes and common problems as well as every receipt that I ever got. Great idea.
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,581
Likes: 2
From: The Motor City
Re: Something every C4 owner should do... (midlifecrisis91)
Great idea. What's better - my brother works for Meade/West so I can get those 5-Star binders and Hilroy Brand sheet protectors for free.
Score! :hurray:
Score! :hurray:
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,652
Likes: 2
From: 1990 383 Stroker Baltimore Maryland
Re: Something every C4 owner should do... (Q1KSLVR)
That looks GREAT!
I didn't even get the video with my car... :nonod:
I didn't even get the video with my car... :nonod: