Backseat Driver: 2.7 million miles and still counting
1:29 PM Wed, Jul 01, 2009 | Permalink
Email
 |
 |
Projo Cars Blog |
|
« Gov't won't fund GM if it does not get approval to sell assets |
Main
| Backseat Driver: American, Japanese companies back off diesel »
I really do not know what to make of Irv Gordon and his 2.7 million mile 1966 Volvo P1800. Gordon, 68, is a retired teacher from East Patchogue, N.Y., who is famous for his long distance achievement. Indeed, it was noted in the Personal Finance column in the July/August issue of the AARP magazine in which he divulged his secret: maintenance. "Gordon monitors his Volvo's oil, transmission fluid, and coolant levels, as well as the tire pressure, at almost every fuel stop," the article reports. "He also checks all belts and hoses, replacing them when they show signs of wear. Start paying close attention at 50,000 miles and every 50,000 thereafter, he says." Good advice, but who has the time for such vigilance? And consider that to achieve the mileage, he has driven an average of 62,791 miles a year for 43 years, or an average 172 miles a day! At an average speed of 50 mph, that's about 3.5 hours a day. These numbers are simply incredible and I speak from personal experience. For eight months I commuted from Jamestown to Boston which is a round trip of 150 miles. Frankly I would not believe it possible but the numbers have been certified by the folks at the Guinness Book of World Records who are very stringent about verification. Certainly he seems to have driven across and up and down the country many, many times, thinking noting apparently of 1,000 mile days. His ambition is to make it to 3 million miles and then retire. He says the car is not wearing out - he is, and his doctor has told him to slow down! - Peter C.T. Elsworth 
CommentsLeave a comment |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
New comments
New photos
Authors
New posts
Projo blogs
Archives
Hello Peter,
What is there to "Make of" my 1800 and it's accomplishment? Everyone has a hobby..a place to go to relax and restore one's vitality. Mine is my 1966 Volvo P1800S. The car does all the work while I just get to "go for a ride" and enjoy the scenery. I am most fortunate that I decided to buy such a durable car that has taken me everywhere I ever wanted to go and never protested nor let me down. I have had my car for for 43 years and only had a wife for 23. She liked to fly, I liked to drive. Simple story...nothing to ponder.
Irv
Report Abuse
Dear Irv,
I worked as a mechanic for volvo for 6 years and have seen many high mileage vehicles over the years but your p1800 is really amazing! Many people often as me "how long will my car last"
I always reply it depends on maintenance and how long you want it to last!
I had a volvo 440 1.7 petrol for 4 years which a customer gave me with 325,000 miles on it, unfortunately the car has now been scrapped with 400,000 miles on it.
I read you rebuilt your engine at 680,000, Have you had it rebuilt again since then?
I am a strong believer in synthetic engine oil technology.
I am a roadside patrol for the AA in the uk, I believe your equivelant is the AAA?
Many members often say "my car is dead". I reply "rubbish!" while it can still be repaired, it is not dead!
Id love to have a chat with you, Id find it interesting.
Matt
Report Abuse
Yes Matt,
I had the engine rebuilt for the second time after 2,010,000 miles since the first rebuild. The pieces and parts were all measured to determine the amount of wear on the individual moving parts as well as the bore. There was surpringly little wear on the pistons, crank, cam bearings, etc. I can only assume this is due to following the manufacturer's schedule of maintenance all these years and driving sensibly. Then again, the Volvo engine is legendary in it's durablility.
Irv
Report Abuse
Irv, I just have to say that you're one of the many people in this world that I'd love to sit and have a cup of coffee with.
A lot of folks out there miss the point that cars are simply transportation modules. Some may have nicer interiors. Some have a bit more power... and some, thankfully, are built to last for the ages. If they are conservatively driven and well maintained. Yours has obviously become the epitome of all three.
If you're ever interested... feel free to peruse through my writings. I cover Volvos quite a bit.. along with a lot of interesting folks in my travels.
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/category/news-blog/hammer-time/
I think you'll especially like the last article on the first page. Let me know if you ever find yourself in Georgia. My email is lang01c@mail.duke.edu . Oh, and I'm also taping a pilot in early October for a series on car buying so if you're ever near Tampa at that time, feel free to give me a buzz.
Report Abuse