Autos: Irv Gordon's secrets to topping 3 million miles in his Volvo

By Casey Williams | Star correspondent

On Sept. 17, while traversing Alaska's Seward Highway, Irv Gordon drove his 1966 Volvo P1800 beyond 3 million miles.

It has been quite a journey for the 74-year-old Long Island native and retired teacher. Just before completion of the milestone, I had a chance to speak with him on the phone.

One wonders, why a Volvo P1800?

"It is a pretty car," said Gordon, a retired school teacher. "A friend showed me a photo in Road & Track in 1966. I fell in love with it. It cost $4,150, and I only had $4,200 to my name. I was broke."

Gordon bought the car new on a Friday and went back to the dealer the following Monday — already for its 1,500-mile service.

Gordon's 125-mile daily commute and dedication to proper maintenance enabled him to hit 500,000 miles in 1976. He celebrated a million miles in 1987 by circling Tavern on the Green in New York's Central Park.

In 1998, with 1.69 million miles, Gordon made the Guinness Book of World Records for most miles driven by a single owner of a noncommercial vehicle.

Two million miles rolled up during 2002.

Through all of those miles, Gordon experienced very little trouble.

"I've never had a scary experience; the car always did what I wanted it to do," Gordon said. "I've driven through ice, snow, took it to the mountains skiing. It's Swedish, loves snow.

"It was hit a number of times, usually in parking lots."

Common-sense maintenance

Gordon swears by regular oil changes, car washes, and genuine Volvo parts.

"Just follow the owner's manual," he said. "It's a piece of machinery and can't take care of itself. Have its scheduled maintenance completed. … Do what the manual calls for, not what the dealer calls for. People who built the car wrote the manual."

He shared a few other tips with Volvo. Use factory equipment parts and one brand of oil for consistency. Spend a few minutes a week checking fluid levels, belts and hoses.

"Use gasoline from a high-volume station to keep crud out of your engine," he advises. "It's also good to wash your car regularly and wax at least twice a year."

Perhaps the most important tip: "When your car makes a funny noise, listen to it." And develop a good relationship with your mechanic.

Volvo's future

Volvo has been giving Gordon a new car at each million-mile mark. But even after all of this mileage and attention, one thing won't change.

"I'll still be driving the P1800," Gordon said. "The car will probably make 4 million miles, but not me. I have become a fan of air-conditioning, electrical things and gadgets. New Volvos are fantastic. (Volvo) told me I could have any I want as long as it's red."

If he waits a couple of years, he can choose from a new lineup of Volvos. The V60 wagon debuts early in 2014 and the next-generation XC90 arrives within two years.

The Concept Coupe from the recent

Frankfurt Motor Show

also might be worth waiting for. It previews the next generation of Volvo styling and was inspired by the P1800.

Check out Irv Gordon's adventure at volvocars.3millionreasons.com.

Send car questions to Indianapolis-based automotive journalist Casey Williams at AutoCasey@aol.com.