1966 Volvo P1800

Owner: Irv Gordon

Gordon is in a very rare league of traveler, approaching 3 million miles in one car, a two-door Volvo coupe that he purchased new in 1966. When the retired Patchogue, N.Y., science teacher made his first million miles in 1987, Volvo celebrated by giving him a new 780 Bertone Coupe. When he passed 2 million in 2002, the car was featured in a Times Square parade and Volvo gave him a new C70. Yet Gordon continues to drive the small four-cylinder rear-drive two-door because he enjoys the way the car runs, and it was discontinued after the 1973 model year.

To keep the P1800 running well over such great distances, Irv has replaced the brakes at about every 100,000 miles. He never ignored odd noises, smells, or vibrations. He changes the oil every 3000 to 3500 miles, re-bushes the carburetor about every 900,000 miles, and gets about 1 million miles for every mechanical fuel pump. The transmission fluid and the ignition points get replaced every 25,000 miles. He also keeps it clean, diligently washing off winter salt and grime. Irv also doesn't beat the car, driving the manual-transmission coupe at moderate speeds and anticipating stops and hazards—driving gently allowed the car's first clutch to last an amazing 450,000 miles. Gordon expects to cross the 3 million mark in July of 2013.