Three Million Mile Volvo Still Running After 47 Years

[Calvin]

Irv Gordon bought his Volvo in 1966

Three years ago, AOL Autos brought you the story of Irv Gordon, a retired science teacher with a very reliable car. Now, on the 47th anniversary of his purchase of a 1966 Volvo P1800, we revisited Gordon as the vehicle approaches the 3-million mile mark.

He's within 2,000 miles of the goal, and Volvo is hoping he hits the 3-million milestone during a trip to Alaska in September, one of the last states he has yet to visit in his classic car. Already, Gordon holds the Guinness Book of World Records mark for the most miles driven on a vehicle by a single owner. As the big day approaches, it's hard for Gordon to resist the temptation of the open road.

The Volvo is still in great shape and working order, and he still drives it. Recently he took the Volvo on a road trip from Canada to Michigan to Kansas City and back to his home in New York, through some extreme weather.

"I just drove it through flood warnings, tornado warnings and ran into 105 degree heat in Kansas City" he said.

Gordon started out trying to buy American cars, but was dissatisfied by the quality. Two Chevrolet convertibles in the space of a few years had nothing but engine and electrical problems. He couldn't get the dealerships to address the problems and he was soon fed up. He knew he needed to find a reliable vehicle to get him to his job, a 125-mile daily round trip for the new schoolteacher.

"GM wouldn't stand behind their car, I just needed something reliable," said Gordon, who lives in Patchogue, N.Y. "I was tired of arriving at work on the back of a flatbed."

A friend directed him towards foreign cars, so Gordon headed to a Volvo dealership to test drive a convertible.

"Back then there were less rules, so the dealer just handed me the keys," he said. "I had so much fun I drove it for three hours"

On that June day in 1966, a love affair began.

At $4,150 the new 1966 Volvo P1800 cost him about a year's salary. After trading in his Chevy and borrowing some money from his parents, he was on the road. He now has had a lifelong love of Volvo cars. Volvo gifted him a new vehicle when he hit his first million, and he drove it 460,000 miles.

"I love my Volvo. Usually when you see people getting out of their cars on long road trips, they're stretching and aching. I don't. I feel really comfortable in my little car," Gordon said. His story is now the focus of Volvo's Three Million Reasons campaign, which follows his travels. Their interactive map shows he is already a master of road trips.

"I use a GPS for local addresses," he said, "but I know most of the roads by heart. I've been to 48 states and most of Canada."

Like fellow high-milers Hugh and Tammy Pennington, who still drive their Silverado 3500 HD after 1.2 million miles, Gordon says the secret to his Volvo's longevity is regular TLC and maintenance.

"I just read the owners manual. I figured, they built it, they wrote the book on it, so they know how to take care of it." he said. By replacing hoses and belts and keeping up on oil changed Gordon has kept his car running, and plans to keep driving it as long as it runs.

"Take the time to take care of your car. You expect it to start every time and be there for you, return the favor."

Kudos to this gentleman.

 

[diehardbiker]

Runs on gas or Diesel? Just curious because I know Volvo has Diesel on some of their vehicles. I won't be surprise if it is Diesel because Diesel engine would last literally forever.

 

[Calvin]

It runs on gasoline and engine had been rebuilt once I think.

Runs on gas or Diesel? Just curious because I know Volvo has Diesel on some of their vehicles. I won't be surprise if it is Diesel because Diesel engine would last literally forever.

 

[whiskeyonesix]

Heard about this car years back when it'd just clocked up 2.5 million miles. I've had Volvos myself and they're immensely over-engineered (at least the RWD drive ones with the proper Red Block engines)
I've no reason to doubt his claims of 3 million miles - but I doubt there's anything much left that's totally original on the car, after all, steering wheels wear down, pedals go smooth, I think the interior would have had to have been renewed at some point.....
But.... all those parts go on the car, so they're part of the car right?
It's a bit like Triggers' Broom. It's had a new head and loads of new handles but it's still the same broom right?

To be honest, I think the volvo owner should have zeroed the milage when he had the engine rebuilt..

 

[deafsmogtech]

It runs on gasoline and engine had been rebuilt once I think.

Yes, rebuilt same engine at 675,000 miles, one new starter,has been over 710 oil changes according to ImportCar magazine for import service professional. Wow

 

[sequoias]

Man, 3 million miles! Looks like he made it that far with his car. I wonder if he ever have been in an accident with his car.