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Cape Town - When he was 25-years-old, Irv Gordon bought a new 1966 Volvo P1800S on Friday, June 23 1966 for $4150.
The following Monday, it was returned to the same Volvo dealership for its first service at 2400km. And he’s been driving it in this fashion for the past 50 years.
No end to this car
Irvin "Irv" Gordon is the current world record holder for the highest vehicle mileage in a noncommercial, original-owner car. The retired school science teacher has driven his 1966 Volvo P1800S for well over 4.8-million kilometres!
His Volvo, which still has the original engine, has never experienced any level of failure despite driving a distance that's equivalent to 120 laps around the world! When Gordon purchased his new Volvo in 1966, it came factory filled with Castrol motor oil and Gordon has used Castrol for every service ever since.
READ: The last Volvo Amazon - Classic car ‘lost’ in SA
50 years and going strong, Gordon first reached 1.6-million km with his car in 1987 and hit the 3.2-million km mark in 2002. Gordon reached 4.8-million km on September 18, 2013 on Alaska's Seward Highway. And he's still going strong, setting a new record with each passing mile.
Over the course of driving his Volvo P1800S for nearly 50 years, Gordon has racked up a few interesting tidbits and more than a few stories from the road. He's driven over 32 187km in nine foreign countries.
Irv has received Volvos as gifts when reaching key milestones in 1987, 2002 and 2014. He also owns a 1923 Model T, a 1923 Packard and a 1949 Crossley. Irv’s classics have clocked more than 1.0-million km between them, with nary an engine failure.
Personal insights and fun facts
• Irv has visited every US state, except Hawaii, and driven in nine foreign countries.
• He has never eaten in his car, but makes sure to have a cup of coffee in each state he visits.
• He's used more than 427 000 litres of petrol, 3300 litres of Castrol oil and performed 870 oil changes.
What, exactly, is it like to drive three million miles?
• Equivalent to 120 laps around the world, or six round-trips to the moon
• Has driven 130 000 - 170 000km/year since retiring in 1996
• Only three fender benders in 50 years
READ: 20 years of Volvo's C70 - 10 things you should know about this classic coupe
• His car has been driven over 32 000km in nine foreign countries
• Speedometer has turned over 30 times and counting
• His car is not garaged and maintains 80% of its original paint
What has Irv's 1966 Volvo consumed in 4.8-million km of driving?
• 427 331 litres of petrol used;
• 2500 hand washes... yes, even in winter;
• 870 oil changes and 3293 litres of Castrol oil used;
• 487 spark plugs used;
• 121 tune ups;
• 30 sets of Bridgestone tyres;
• 30 sets of brake pads;
• 4 oil coolers;
• 3 water pumps;
• 3 fuel pumps (1st one changed at 2.0-million km);
• 3 carburettor rebuilds;
• 2 front seat re-coverings;
• 1 new starter motor;
• 1 radiator replacement;
• And other normal wear and tear items that get replaced every 160934/724204/1.4-million+ km, or as needed;
• Front bushings finally needed replacing after 4.8-million km;
• Rear drums and steel wheels are still original.
Irv has driven other cars too
• 1966 Volvo P1800;
• 1987 Volvo 780 Bertone (gift from Volvo upon reaching 1.6-million km);
• 2002 Volvo C70 coupe (gift from Volvo upon reaching 3.2-million km - still owns);
• 1952 Chevy (during his early college days);
• 1923 Model T sedan (currently owns);
• 1929 model 633 Packard 7 passenger touring car (currently owns);
• 1949 Crosley Hot Shot (still has);
• 2014 Volvo XC- 60R AWD Polestar 25 749km (gift from Volvo upon reaching 4.8-million km - currently owns).
