Record-breaking Volvo continues to defy the odds

Irv Gordon shows no signs of slowing down. Celebrating his 70th birthday today, the record-breaking automotive pioneer is the owner of the highest mileage non-commercial vehicle on US roads. Gordon and his 1966 Volvo P1800 are on track to reach an unmatchable record sometime in the next three years.

With the classic red coupe now boasting 2.8 million miles, Gordon says he aims to hit the 3 million mark before his 73rd birthday.

"Three million miles by my 73nd birthday sounds right," said Gordon.

"But, whether I reach that mark is more up to me than it is the car. The car's parts have long proven they can take it, but I'm not so sure about my own.

"Either way, it will be a fantastic testament to the engineering genius of Volvo as well as to the resiliency of folks my age.

"Three million miles is an iron clad number that I'd like to think sits right up there with DiMaggio's consecutive game hitting streak. Who's going to beat that? No one."

The retired science teacher from East Patchogue, New York, purchased his Volvo new in June 1966, and immediately fell in love. On their first day together, Gordon and his P1800 covered an extraordinary 1500 miles. The high mileage driving continued for many years with Gordon's daily commute totalling 125 miles, the pair logged half-a-million miles in their first ten years.

With an obvious passion for driving, and fanatical dedication to vehicle maintenance, Gordon went on to cover 1.69 million miles by 1998, landing himself a place in the Guinness Book World of Records for the most miles driven by a single owner in a non-commercial vehicle. In 2002, Gordon drove his P1800 through New York's Times Square to national and international media attention.

Today, Gordon breaks his own record every time he drives, and like any record-holder at the top of his game, is mindful of his legacy, while still being determined to set a record that no one can beat. Gordon says he's unsure what to do with his P1800 after clocking three million miles, though he says he'd consider selling it for no less than a dollar per mile driven.

"I used to think I'd park it in a 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.

"Now I think, 'no way'. I'll either keep driving it or sell it for $3 million."

And what would he do if he made $3 million off the car?

"I'd spend it on travelling," he said. "Road trips, of course."

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