Classic Volvos

robroy · 01-22-2010, 08:42 PM

Any Volvo p1800 enthusiasts out there. Would love to talk shop with other owners concerning upkeep of these beloved cars. Do you know that a 1965 p1800 holds the world milage record? It is still running and closing on an outstanding 3,000,000 miles

authentic · 01-22-2010, 10:19 PM

Yes. I love classic volvos, it's very hard to find in US.

I also like 1960 VW Karmann

They're hot!

deafsmogtech · 01-22-2010, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robroy

Any Volvo p1800 enthusiasts out there. Would love to talk shop with other owners concerning upkeep of these beloved cars. Do you know that a 1965 p1800 holds the world milage record? It is still running and closing on an outstanding 3,000,000 miles

I know little about the Volvo P1800 sport cars. Back in 80s, I was nosed on a shop foreman's 1970 Vovlo P1800 with a hatchback looks like a car half and wagon station half. They are the champ of the high mileages. I saw a vintage P1800 car at the gas station last 5 years ago. Do you own a P1800? My car is a 71 Alfa Romero GTV 1750.

deafsmogtech · 01-22-2010, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by authentic

Yes. I love classic volvos, it's very hard to find in US.

I also like 1960 VW Karmann

They're hot!

I used to rebuilding the engine of my young brother' 71 Karmann Gina. He totaled his Gina, front end was awful. I took a engine/tranny out of the wreaked car before it tossed to the boneyard. One year later my ex VW bus's engine was seized on the freeway (found valve drop in cylinder) then I took a Gina motor to replaced a seized motor. It was great runner. One year later I sold it.

***Calvin*** · 01-23-2010, 01:26 AM

Quote:

With 2.6 million miles on his record-breaking, shiny red 1966 Volvo P1800, 67-year-old Irv Gordon is now aiming to achieve a near impossible milestone -- driving three million miles in the same car.
Gordon, a retired science teacher from East Patchogue, N.Y., purchased his sporty Volvo in June 1966, and immediately fell in love, driving 1,500 miles in the first 48 hours.

With a 125-mile round-trip daily commute, a dedication to vehicle maintenance and a passion for driving, Gordon logged 500,000 miles in 10 years. In 1998 with 1.69 million miles, he made the Guinness Book of World Records for most miles driven by a single owner in a non-commercial vehicle.

Today, Gordon breaks his own record every time he drives, whether it's to Cincinnati for coffee, Rolla, Mo. for lunch or Green River, Wyo. for dinner. And now, as the treasured Volvo P1800 continues to roll through the ages despite the wear of road and time, Gordon -- like any mighty record-holder at the top of his game -- has begun to think about his legacy.

"My goal is to reach three million miles in the next five years," Gordon said. "But, whether I reach that mark is more up to me than it is the car. The car's parts may be able to take it, but I'm not so sure about my own.

"I turn 72 on July 15, 2012," he added. "That seems like a nice day to clock three million and park the car once and for all. It will be a fantastic testament to the engineering genius of Volvo as well as to the resiliency of folks my age.

"I'll also feel comfortable that three million miles is a record that no one will ever be able to reach in the same car," Gordon continued. "That is, unless Barry Bonds decides to start driving his car more after he retires from baseball."

Slowing the Pace in Recent Years

Through the late '90s and early part of this decade, Gordon had been driving at a near fanatical pace of well over 100,000 miles per year, peaking in March 2002 when he gained worldwide attention for turning two million miles while driving down Broadway in Times Square. Today, to reach his next milestone, he is allowing a more conservative pace of 80,000 miles per year, thanks in large part to doctor's orders.

"You tire a little easier when you reach my age," Gordon said. "Gone are the nights when I'd be driving through Nebraska at 3 a.m. on I-80 West, jacked up on two pots of delicious Waffle House coffee.

"Last year, when my doctor told me I could no longer drive 24 hours at a time, 1,000 miles a day, I thought he was out of his mind, but I now realize he's right," Gordon said. "Today, I get a full night's sleep, eat healthy and take eight days to drive cross country, rather than six. The car gets plenty of exercise no matter how I plan each trip."

Gordon Seeking New Places to Drive

Gordon drives for the pure pleasure of driving but, these days, what motivates him most is an invitation to drive to an event to show off his car and visit friends. As he drives toward three million miles, he's looking for new places to go.

"I've traveled pretty much every Interstate in the U.S. many times over, so these days I'm looking for fresh, alternative routes and sights," Gordon said. "I'm hoping for some invitations to some faraway places like Europe, Australia or Hawaii.

"I can hold my own with almost any trucker at any truck stop in any country -- discussing roads, construction, or the best nearby, small-town diner with a good cup of decaf and piece of raisin toast."

What to Do After 3 Million

Gordon is unsure what to do with his Volvo after three million miles, though he has considered selling it for no less than one dollar per each mile he's driven.

"I also think it should go in a nice, cozy museum where people will get to enjoy seeing the car that beat the odds -- all with the same engine, same radio, same axles, same transmission and of course the same driver," Gordon said.

"So, maybe I'll sell it. Maybe I'll donate it to a museum," he concluded. "Who knows? Maybe I'll keep driving it."

The 3 million miles Volvo - interactive RVing article

Btw it's actually 1966, not 1965.

Quote:

Originally Posted by robroy

Any Volvo p1800 enthusiasts out there. Would love to talk shop with other owners concerning upkeep of these beloved cars. Do you know that a 1965 p1800 holds the world milage record? It is still running and closing on an outstanding 3,000,000 miles

robroy · 01-25-2010, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deafsmogtech

I know little about the Volvo P1800 sport cars. Back in 80s, I was nosed on a shop foreman's 1970 Vovlo P1800 with a hatchback looks like a car half and wagon station half. They are the champ of the high mileages. I saw a vintage P1800 car at the gas station last 5 years ago. Do you own a P1800? My car is a 71 Alfa Romero GTV 1750.

The hatchback in question is the P1800ES. Just over 8000 of these cars were made from 1972 to 1973. I own a 1965 p1800s and a 1972 p1800es. Your Alfa Romero is a terrific sports car and they are quite rare.

NorCal20 · 01-26-2010, 02:58 PM

My Volvo isnt classic. My 1993 Volvo 940, is still running strong at 160k...everything is in very good conditions (no body dents or whateverso). Yes, leathers wears down, it is still normal but thats something what i can sit on.

deafsmogtech · 01-28-2010, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robroy

The hatchback in question is the P1800ES. Just over 8000 of these cars were made from 1972 to 1973. I own a 1965 p1800s and a 1972 p1800es. Your Alfa Romero is a terrific sports car and they are quite rare.

yeah, I cant remember the year model on his Volvo hatchback, I guess it was a 1970. Thanks for post me. I believe your engine is an OHV cast iron block and cylinder head, forged steel crankshaft. I think the aluminum OHC cylinder heads use on the B23 engines of the 240, DL or 740?
I've not drive my AR GTV since my wedding/honeymoon (more than quarter years ago) and still idle on the alley. It needs restoration. No time.

**sequoias** · 01-28-2010, 11:32 AM

I haven't seen 1960's Volvos in a long time...they're very rare items. 1980's and up are much more common.

01-22-2010, 08:42 PM	#1 (permalink)
robroy Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 7	Classic Volvos Any Volvo p1800 enthusiasts out there. Would love to talk shop with other owners concerning upkeep of these beloved cars. Do you know that a 1965 p1800 holds the world milage record? It is still running and closing on an outstanding 3,000,000 miles

01-22-2010, 10:19 PM	#2 (permalink)
authentic Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: San Francisco Posts: 6,129	Yes. I love classic volvos, it's very hard to find in US. I also like 1960 VW Karmann They're hot! __________________

01-26-2010, 02:58 PM	#7 (permalink)
NorCal20 Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Golden State Posts: 5,013	My Volvo isnt classic. My 1993 Volvo 940, is still running strong at 160k...everything is in very good conditions (no body dents or whateverso). Yes, leathers wears down, it is still normal but thats something what i can sit on. __________________ "keep it simple, simple is better" I am proudly to rep Bay Area of NOR*CAL CALIFORNIA Softball #20

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01-28-2010, 11:32 AM	#9 (permalink)
sequoias Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Iowa, wind generation capital Posts: 21,947	I haven't seen 1960's Volvos in a long time...they're very rare items. 1980's and up are much more common.