Mega-mile Volvo P1800 nears the 3 million mark

| 18 Jun 2013

Irv Gordon’s 1966 Volvo P1800 is poised to clock up three million miles in September cementing the retired science teacher’s place in history.

Already the Guinness Book of World Records title holder for the ‘most miles driven by a single owner in a non-commercial vehicle’, Gordon said: “I bought my Volvo on a Friday and immediately fell in love.

"I couldn't stop driving the car. It was a long holiday weekend, and I brought the it back to the dealership the following Monday for its 1500-mile service."

The American hopes to pass the three millionth mile on a trip to Alaska this September.

C&SC did a full feature on his ownership (see December 2002), when he had racked up a mere 2.5 million miles.

He told C&SC then “I know it can do another million miles, but I’m not sure I can”.

Today he added: "The best way to explore America is by car. I challenge everyone to go out and see as much as possible. Find your own journey and reason to believe because you only have one life to live.

“No matter how many roads I've been on, there's always one I haven't taken. That's what makes it exciting."

You can follow the 73-year old’s progress on a micro-site launched by Volvo.