



Last year we told you about a fifth generation Chevy Corvette that had accumulated over 700,000 miles on its original engine. Now, at 773,338 miles, the owner, Mark Blackwell, has decided to donate the red C5 hatch to the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky.





Typically, the phrase “museum-quality” car means a few things like extreme rarity, flawless condition and few miles on the clock. But in this C5 Chevrolet Corvette case it is a testament to how long a car can last if it’s properly maintained.

Mark Blackwell bought the red 2000 Chevrolet Corvette coupe brand new back in 1999, and proceeded to use it as a mobile office for the next 18 years as he drove back and forth between Georgia and Florida for business.

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To rack up that many miles, Blackwell would have had to do around 43,000 miles per year , or about 117 miles per day, every day, for 18 years. So yes, this Corvette has seen a whole lot of highway over the years.

It’s in pretty good shape on the outside. There’s a bit of fiberglass damage, and the seats have seen better days, but it’s all intact and seems to remain functional by all counts. The best thing about the Corvette is the fact that it still has the 5.7-liter V8 engine, though Blackwell recently had to get the headgasket replaced at around 750,000 miles.

As you might expect for someone who drove the same car over 770,000 miles, Blackwell’s got no complaints about the C5 ‘Vette, calling it a “fabulous car.” “If any car deserves to be in a museum, it’s this one,” said Blackwell. “For the miles it’s gone and the things it’s done for me.”

Now, 773,338-mile journey ends for this Corvette and has been given a well-deserved rest at the Corvette Museum.