Man with 2.6 million-mile Volvo P1800 aims for 3 million
click above image for more pics of the 2.6 million-mile Volvo P1800
We've reported on high-mileage cars here before. There was the Jetta diesel that Volkswagen found in Ohio with 562,000 miles on its odometer. Then there was the Saab 900 that had traveled 1,001,385 miles in its lifetime. Finally, there was also a 1995 Dodge Ram that passed the million-mile mark. We know of these cars because Volkswagen, Saab and Dodge sought them out and have been using their mere existence as marketing tools. At least the driver of the Volkswagen was given a 1-year lease on a new Volkswagen Touareg V10 TDI. The Dodge Ram owner got a call from Tom LaSorda and a book about DaimlerChrysler's history, while the Saab owner actually had to buy himself a new set of Swedish wheels.
All high-mileage vehicles still traveling our nation's roads, however, must tip their rusty hats to this one, Irv Gordon's 1966 Volvo P1800 with 2.6 million miles under its belt-line. Gordon has been the only owner of this P1800 since it was purchased new in 1966. A 125-mile round trip daily commute and a penchant for regular maintenance got the car this far, and in 1998 it made the Guinness Book of World Records at just 1.69 million miles.
Since retired from teaching science, Gordon now plans on hitting the 3 million-mile mark sometime in the next five years. Keep in mind, he's slowed down to 80,000 miles/year from his record pace of over 100,000 miles/year in 2002. While not promising to retire the car once it hits 3 million miles, Gordon says he might break down before the car does. We hope if that if he does reach that milestone, Volvo will pony up a free replacement for his Energizer Bunny-esqe P1800. How about a C30?
[Source: Volvo]
PRESS RELEASE:
At 2.6 Million Miles, Irv Gordon and his Historic Volvo Roll On
Retired Long Island Science Teacher Sets Sights on 3 Million Miles In His Record-Breaking 1966 Volvo P1800
IRVINE, Calif. (Oct. 26, 2007) -- 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, 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."
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
ronnie schreiber 4:12PM (2/04/2008)
Irv's a fun guy. I've met him at a couple of car events, including the Ford 100th anniversary in front of the Glass House in Dearborn.
The way he puts on all those miles these days is by driving the car to tons of car events.
I never really liked fins, so the 1800 looks a little dated to me. The 1800ES, though, will always be one of the most perfect automotive designs ever. Every single "sportwagon" since then tries to capture a little bit of the 1800ES.
The ES also came with a higher compression, fuel injected version of the engine (B21 if I recall correctly) that had about 10% more power. They also put it in the 142E, which I was fortunate to own, and was equipped with bigger brakes and stiffer springs than the regular 142.
I don't think any of my Volvos got over 250,000 (or less than 150,000) but the old Volvo engines are pretty damn impossible to break. While I did throw a rod soon after getting a rather beat up and rusted red 142, other than a chip the width of a rod in the cylinder skirt the block and crank were fine so I rebuilt it and it ran fine in that car and then a cleaner 142 after I went around a corner in the red one and the track bar mount tore away from the inner fender.
High mileage cars are cool. I had a Jaguar XJ6 with 225K. Not much in the way of electrical equipment worked, but at 85mph it was still a Jaguar.
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micky 7:19PM (2/24/2008)
Babied all it's life heck most cars will last with treatment like that...The P1800 generally wasn't that reliable for a volvo, rot was a big problem too. Some were actually british built! Wonder if that one was..hehe
naggs 2:19PM (10/26/2007)
god p1800s are fin sweet
would be insanely cool if volvo made a new P
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Jordan 2:47PM (10/26/2007)
Top Tip: they did, it's called the C30.
Ligor 3:12PM (10/26/2007)
have you seen the C30, the P1800 looks awesome cmpared to the C30
Jordan 4:53PM (10/26/2007)
While opinions on the styling of the C30 are entirely subjective - I happen to love it - there's no debating that the styling is heavily influenced by the P1800.
naggs 11:34PM (10/26/2007)
top tip
check da facts yo
1800es is where some of the design cues for the c30 came from. how anyone could look at a volvo P car and see any c30 or vise versa i have no idea
saabyurk 2:22PM (10/26/2007)
Whoa! Another Autoblog mistake. The Saab owner (Peter Gilbert) did not have to buy a new set of wheels. He was given a new 9-5 Aero FREE OF CHARGE by Saab USA. See http://www.saabclub.com/press_release_03-02-07.html
This is well known
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David Naylor 7:58AM (10/28/2007)
That's what I thought!
Jeff 2:26PM (10/26/2007)
Peter Gilbert, the owner of the million mile Saab 900 SPG got a brand new 9-5 Aero wagon from Saab, and Saab also offered the same thing to any Saab owner with a million mile, single owner car.
Frankly, I think Peter Gilbert got the best reward out of all three of those guys. You should update the post.
Also, I've read about this Volvo before. I sure hope it makes it to 3 million, P1800s are totally awesome (unlike pretty much all other Volvos).
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Vexorg 3:32PM (10/26/2007)
Yes, I saw a couple of news stories on this particular car back when it hit 2 million.
rem83 2:38PM (10/26/2007)
I think it'd be nicer if Volvo would do a full restoration on his p1800 instead.
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rem83 2:42PM (10/26/2007)
Nevermind, i take that back, its more interesting in its "original" state.
Dean 8:12PM (10/26/2007)
I second that. Volvo needs a new P1800.
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ryan 8:36PM (10/26/2007)
In the latest issue of "Design News" there's a spread about Mr. Gordon on pg.14
Everything is original. The head was rebuilt at his "insistence" at 680,000 miles not because anything was wrong, but because he had never heard of an engine functioning for so long.
I own a 90' Volvo 740 turbo w/ slight modifications. I didn't want the car, but I bought it on the cheap. It's been a real eye-opener. Looks boring, but the car is damn near flawless. It drives way better than alot of so-called sports cars that I've owned. Extremely comfortable, and floats down the highway effortlessly.
I've been tempted by very generous offers to sell it, but I think I'll be keeping it for some time.
Last week I test drove the C30 with the sport package simply because Volvo was giving away free gift certificates. I thought it was a feminine car, I was very wrong, actually it's pretty hardcore. The steering, brakes, sound system, all very tight. I'm very tempted to buy one.
He was given a 780 Bertone Coupe in 87', and a C70 for Volvos 75th.
Oh, and the 1800 is a good looking car.
To read more about Irv's car
http://www.designnews.com/index.asp?layout=article&articleid=CA6471169&text=Irv+Gordon
josh 2:42PM (10/26/2007)
Are we to assume that this is on original transmission and engine?
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josh 2:44PM (10/26/2007)
Although I have incredible respect for this man and his contribution as a teacher to our children and his passion for driving, the story becomes a bit less sensational if major systems such as the engine or the transmission has been replaced multiple times.
testa di cazzo 3:04PM (10/26/2007)
engine can't be replaced without the mileage going back to "zero". the whole point of mileage is to show how much the engine has been used. transmission, on the other hand, can and probably has been replaced in this car. it's damn near physically impossible for a transmission to hold up over 2.6 million miles, no matter how much upkeep is put into it...
Bennet Pullen 3:18PM (10/26/2007)
Um, I have replaced engines in several cars, never has the mileage gone back to zero...
Dan Roth 8:30AM (10/27/2007)
The engine is original. It was rebuilt around 600,000 miles, but not because it needed it. Volvo "red block" four cylinders are incredibly robust. The blocks have a high nickel content, and it's not uncommon to pull the cylinder head on an engine with multiple hundreds of thousands of miles and still see crosshatch marks on the cylinder walls from the factory honing.