The interplay between single electron tunneling effects and the discrete molecular levels ofC60molecules is studied using scanning tunneling microscopy. IsolatedC60molecules were deposited onto a gold substrate, covered by a thin insulating layer. The tunneling current–voltage characteristics of isolated molecules, both at room temperature and at 4.2 K, exhibit rich structures, resulting from the interplay between charging effects and the electronic spectrum. In particular, we observe degeneracy lifting within theC60molecular orbitals, probably due to the Jahn–Teller effect and local electric fields. ©1997 American Institute of Physics.