Irv Gordon

**urethra franklin** · 04-08-2009, 08:48 AM

This man is my personal hero. A resident of East Patchogue, he has driven his Volvo P1800 2,700,000+ miles since he purchased it new in 1966. The entirety of the continental United States, Mexico, Canada and 5 countries in Europe. He got his start commuting on the LIE to his job as a teacher at Roslyn High School, and intends on going to (at least) 3 million before he's done. The engine in the car was rebuilt only one time, at 680k miles in the 1970s. The carbs are tuned up "once every 900k miles". Oil gets changed every 3,000-3,500 and a full tuneup (including new water pump, hoses, plugs, wires, etc.) once every 25,000. He only uses Bridgestone tires and drives the car in all types of weather, all seasons of the year. He parks it outside of his home, uncovered - less than a mile from the bay!!

http://www.canadiandriver.com/2008/0...lvo-p1800s.htm
http://www.designnews.com/article/12...lion_Miles.php

**SkiesMostWanted** · 04-08-2009, 09:14 AM

I heard of this story....that is friggin amazing! 2.7 million + miles.

**DOC** · 04-08-2009, 09:32 AM

I LOVE THE STYLING OF THAT CAR! A LATE 60'S STATION WAGON VERSION WOULD TICKLE ME PINK IN RED OF COURSE!

ONE OF THE FEW CARS STILL USING REAR FINS FOR ACCENT STYLING! LOVE IT!

**Zen** · 04-08-2009, 10:12 AM

I've seen this guy a few times driving around. God Bless him for getting so much out of one car, and loving every minute of it, but don't you get tired of something after a while? I mean, that's a looooong time to sit in the same old car. There must be nickle-and-dime repairs all the time, with things just wearing out at random, and from metal fatigue. Where do you find obscure parts for something that old and foreign? A friend of mine had a 63 Oldsmobile that he used forever, but was plagued with driveshaft carrier bearing problems, and vent hose deterioration, rot, and God knows what else. DOn't get me wrong, I LOVE old cars, and have an old Cadillac myself, I just couldn't use it every day or it would quickly turn into aggravation. But if that's Irv's thing, as it obviously is, God Bless him.

**The Commish** · 04-08-2009, 10:30 AM

I've always loved the P1800... Supposedly Volvo will give you a new car if you hit 1 million miles...

**Merlin** · 04-08-2009, 10:34 AM

Then I guess he should have two from the past milestones and another on the way.

**urethra franklin** · 04-08-2009, 10:39 AM

Originally Posted by DOC

I LOVE THE STYLING OF THAT CAR! A LATE 60'S STATION WAGON VERSION WOULD TICKLE ME PINK IN RED OF COURSE!

ONE OF THE FEW CARS STILL USING REAR FINS FOR ACCENT STYLING! LOVE IT!

Me too, I've been stoked on these since I first laid eyes on one. I like the ES (wagon) model too, maybe prefer it even....check this one out, Panasports make everything look siiiick:

Originally Posted by Zen

I've seen this guy a few times driving around. God Bless him for getting so much out of one car, and loving every minute of it, but don't you get tired of something after a while? I mean, that's a looooong time to sit in the same old car. There must be nickle-and-dime repairs all the time, with things just wearing out at random, and from metal fatigue. Where do you find obscure parts for something that old and foreign? A friend of mine had a 63 Oldsmobile that he used forever, but was plagued with driveshaft carrier bearing problems, and vent hose deterioration, rot, and God knows what else. DOn't get me wrong, I LOVE old cars, and have an old Cadillac myself, I just couldn't use it every day or it would quickly turn into aggravation. But if that's Irv's thing, as it obviously is, God Bless him.

Volvo gave him a brand new 780 coupe in 1987 when he hit 1,000,000 miles. He put 470,000 miles on that car and sold it in 2002 when they gave him a new C70 for hitting 2 mil! I read that he has a Model T, a Packard and a Crosley as well. What can I say, the man loves driving! He himself has probably done closer to 4,000,000 miles of seat time. If I had the money, I'd do the same exact thing he does....just drive all over the damn country with no destination in mind. Long trips are so relaxing for me, I love being behind the wheel with nothing but the open road in front of me and the thoughts in my head.

My own record for mileage was 52k in 9 months, and I lost count after that because I switched cars. If I ever hit the lotto, I would attempt to dethrone Mr. Gordon  ;D

**DOC** · 04-08-2009, 10:48 AM

EVER NOTICE HOW THE NEW C30'S SOMEWHAT RESEMBLE THE OLD ES1800'S?

**urethra franklin** · 04-08-2009, 11:00 AM

Yes! The P1800ES was used as a reference point when designing the C30....which is, IMO, the best styling work Volvo has done in years. I was surprised to see how tiny they are when I finally saw one on the street.

**DOC** · 04-08-2009, 11:28 AM

Originally Posted by urethra franklin

Yes! The P1800ES was used as a reference point when designing the C30....which is, IMO, the best styling work Volvo has done in years. I was surprised to see how tiny they are when I finally saw one on the street.

WHEN I SPOTTED MY FIRST ONE LAST FALL ON THE L.I.E. I FELL IN LOVE WITH IT! SMALL AND SPRITELY! HOWEVER TOO MUCH TAILLIGHT LENS AROUND THE REAR WINDOWS.