Irvin "Irv" Gordon (d. 2018) was an American retired teacher known for setting the Guinness World Record for most miles driven by a single owner in a non-commercial vehicle.
Record-setting Volvo ownership
editGordon purchased his Volvo P1800S in June 1966 from Volvoville, a dealership in Huntersville, New York.[1][2] He had owned two new Chevrolet Corvair models, but was dissatisfied with their reliability.[2] At the time, Gordon's daily commute was around 125 mi (201 km).[1][2]
Gordon decided to maximise the car's mileage after hitting 250,000 mi (400,000 km), having never had to repair the car outside of its routine scheduled maintenance.[1][2] The car's engine was rebuilt after 680,000 mi (1,090,000 km) – Gordon insisted on the service as a precautionary measure, despite the dealership advising it was unnecessary.[1] It transpired there had been nothing wrong with the engine, and Gordon said he "learned his lesson" about unnecessary maintenance.[2]
He set the record for most miles driven by a single owner in a non-commercial vehicle in 1998, when he had driven 1,690,000 mi (2,720,000 km) in the car, claiming the Guinness World Record.[1][2][3] He had driven 2,000,000 mi (3,200,000 km) by 2002, and 3,000,000 mi (4,800,000 km) by 2013.[1] The car had a second engine rebuild in 2009, when wear on bearings and piston rings led to pressure loss.[2] Its bodywork also had to be repaired after it was damaged by a freight company who were transporting it to the annual SEMA show to be displayed at the Volvo stand.[2][4]
Gordon performed much of the car's routine maintenance personally, such as the changing the engine oil and filter and servicing the car's brakes.[2][3] Other mechanical work was generally carried out by mechanic Nino Gambino, who first worked on the car in 1979.[5] He had driven 3,260,257 mi (5,246,875 km) by October 2018, a month before his death.[6][7] He had driven the car across all 49 of the continental United States, Canada, and much of Europe.[6]
Relationship with Volvo
editVolvo initially took little interest in Gordon's high-mileage car. He had written to the company twice, once after 250,000 mi (400,000 km) and again after 500,000 mi (800,000 km), only receiving a cursory response.[1] However, Volvo took greater interest in Gordon and his P1800S as the car approached 1,000,000 mi (1,600,000 km) on the road, gifting him a new Volvo 780. Gordon drove the 780 for around 450,000 mi (720,000 km) before selling it.[1][2] He was gifted a second car, a Volvo C70, after passing 2,000,000 mi (3,200,000 km).[4][7]
After setting the record, Gordon regularly collaborated with Volvo and appeared at their events.[6][7] He also promoted Castrol, his preferred brand of oil.[6]
Personal life and career
editGordon worked as high school science teacher.[1] His long daily commute was the result of moving from Manhattan to Long Island, in pursuit of a more peaceful lifestyle.[2] He retired in the 1990s.[7] He died on November 2018, while he was travelling in China with his car.[6][7] He was survived by his two daughters and three grandchildren.[6][7]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i Sorokanich, Bob (November 16, 2018). "Irv Gordon, Guinness World Record holder who put 3.2 million miles on his Volvo P1800, has died". Road & Track. New York City: Hearst Magazines. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Barry, Keith (July 27, 2010). "Profiles in Mileage: Meet the 2.8-million-mile man". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Archived from the original on June 14, 2024. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
- ^ a b Licea, Melkorka (February 28, 2016). "This guy's 1966 Volvo has over 3 million miles — and isn't slowing down". The New York Post. Archived from the original on October 7, 2023. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
- ^ a b Kautonen, Antti (November 16, 2018). "Volvo owner Irv Gordon, who drove 3.2M miles in his P1800, has died". Autoblog. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
- ^ a b Bell, Sebastien (September 10, 2021). "The 3,000,000 mile Volvo P1800 is more about Records; it's also a story of two friends". Carscoops. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f Gastelu, Gary (November 16, 2018). "Irv Gordon, who drove his 1966 Volvo over 3 million miles, dead at 78". Fox News. Archived from the original on April 10, 2024. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f "Me and My Motor: Irvin Gordon — the man who drove 3m miles in one Volvo". The Sunday Times Driving. February 9, 2019. Archived from the original on February 21, 2024. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
- ^ Oliva, Jacob (August 28, 2021). "Here's A Close Look At Gordon's Volvo P1800 With Three Million Miles". Motor1.com. Motorsport Network. Archived from the original on November 17, 2024. Retrieved November 19, 2024.