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Volvo with 2.8 million miles on the odometer......
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100,000 miles a year is almost 300 miles a day, every day. I don't see it. They got too ambitious with the story. If they had said 1.8 million it could be believed.
At an average speed of 50 mph that would be 6 hours of driving every day. [censored].
At an average speed of 50 mph that would be 6 hours of driving every day. [censored].
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This story isn't fiction. There have been other accounts from other sources as well. On one of the Volvo forums, his car is listed (top spot of course) in their mega-mileage database and he's a bit of a legend over there. The math is doable over a 44 year period if the owner travels a lot with his wheels and does mostly highway.
-Spyder
-Spyder
Originally Posted By: rshaw125
100,000 miles a year is almost 300 miles a day, every day. I don't see it. They got too ambitious with the story. If they had said 1.8 million it could be believed.
It could be true. There have been articles about this guy before. If I rememeber right, he gets up in the morning, picks a place for lunch, then spends the whole morning driving there and the whole afternoon driving back. Places like Vermont or Deleware, several hours each way, every day.
We've discussed this guy here on the forum before. The problem I have, is the articles don't always agree. This particular column didn't specify, but an old Chicago Tribune article from several years ago mentioned he's had to replace his engine and transmission a few times apiece. More recent articles have stated he's still on the original engine and tranny. I don't know what to believe anymore.
100,000 miles a year is almost 300 miles a day, every day. I don't see it. They got too ambitious with the story. If they had said 1.8 million it could be believed.
It could be true. There have been articles about this guy before. If I rememeber right, he gets up in the morning, picks a place for lunch, then spends the whole morning driving there and the whole afternoon driving back. Places like Vermont or Deleware, several hours each way, every day.
We've discussed this guy here on the forum before. The problem I have, is the articles don't always agree. This particular column didn't specify, but an old Chicago Tribune article from several years ago mentioned he's had to replace his engine and transmission a few times apiece. More recent articles have stated he's still on the original engine and tranny. I don't know what to believe anymore.
Also two other relevant factors that lend credibility to it:
"He has never missed an oil or fluid change, a tire rotation, a lubrication or anything else specified in the manual. When he stops for gasoline, he checks fluid levels, tire pressures -- all the stuff service stations used to check for you, when service stations actually offered, you know, service."
and
"His Volvo is beyond basic. No air conditioning, no power steering, no power brakes, wind-up windows, a manual transmission and a startlingly simple engine with few moving parts. There isn't much to break, and what there is, can be fixed easily."
There is the recipe for automotive longevity (and a good climate goes a long way too). How many people do you know of that does his routine so faithfully? I can think of zero.
-Spyder
"He has never missed an oil or fluid change, a tire rotation, a lubrication or anything else specified in the manual. When he stops for gasoline, he checks fluid levels, tire pressures -- all the stuff service stations used to check for you, when service stations actually offered, you know, service."
and
"His Volvo is beyond basic. No air conditioning, no power steering, no power brakes, wind-up windows, a manual transmission and a startlingly simple engine with few moving parts. There isn't much to break, and what there is, can be fixed easily."
There is the recipe for automotive longevity (and a good climate goes a long way too). How many people do you know of that does his routine so faithfully? I can think of zero.
-Spyder
It is very doable. What impresses me is the fact he kept a Volvo from rusting out in New England for 44 years.
Originally Posted By: Johnny
It is very doable. What impresses me is the fact he kept a Volvo from rusting out in New England for 44 years.
Agreed. Checking oil/tire pressure is simple keeping rust at bay is another matter. He must have been hosing it off every evening after driving. From the pictures I've seen his 1800 looks pretty nice.
It is very doable. What impresses me is the fact he kept a Volvo from rusting out in New England for 44 years.
Agreed. Checking oil/tire pressure is simple keeping rust at bay is another matter. He must have been hosing it off every evening after driving. From the pictures I've seen his 1800 looks pretty nice.
Originally Posted By: css9450
Originally Posted By: rshaw125
100,000 miles a year is almost 300 miles a day, every day. I don't see it. They got too ambitious with the story. If they had said 1.8 million it could be believed.
It could be true. There have been articles about this guy before. If I rememeber right, he gets up in the morning, picks a place for lunch, then spends the whole morning driving there and the whole afternoon driving back. Places like Vermont or Deleware, several hours each way, every day.
We've discussed this guy here on the forum before. The problem I have, is the articles don't always agree. This particular column didn't specify, but an old Chicago Tribune article from several years ago mentioned he's had to replace his engine and transmission a few times apiece. More recent articles have stated he's still on the original engine and tranny. I don't know what to believe anymore.
so this guy is driving far away places just to drive to put miles on his car and then to brag about it?
Originally Posted By: rshaw125
100,000 miles a year is almost 300 miles a day, every day. I don't see it. They got too ambitious with the story. If they had said 1.8 million it could be believed.
It could be true. There have been articles about this guy before. If I rememeber right, he gets up in the morning, picks a place for lunch, then spends the whole morning driving there and the whole afternoon driving back. Places like Vermont or Deleware, several hours each way, every day.
We've discussed this guy here on the forum before. The problem I have, is the articles don't always agree. This particular column didn't specify, but an old Chicago Tribune article from several years ago mentioned he's had to replace his engine and transmission a few times apiece. More recent articles have stated he's still on the original engine and tranny. I don't know what to believe anymore.
so this guy is driving far away places just to drive to put miles on his car and then to brag about it?
Originally Posted By: rshaw125
100,000 miles a year is almost 300 miles a day, every day. I don't see it. They got too ambitious with the story. If they had said 1.8 million it could be believed.
At an average speed of 50 mph that would be 6 hours of driving every day. [censored].
Irv Gordon and his Volvo are well documented. He had 2.6 million miles on it in 2007.
100,000 miles a year is almost 300 miles a day, every day. I don't see it. They got too ambitious with the story. If they had said 1.8 million it could be believed.
At an average speed of 50 mph that would be 6 hours of driving every day. [censored].
Irv Gordon and his Volvo are well documented. He had 2.6 million miles on it in 2007.
Originally Posted By: Cutehumor
Originally Posted By: css9450
Originally Posted By: rshaw125
100,000 miles a year is almost 300 miles a day, every day. I don't see it. They got too ambitious with the story. If they had said 1.8 million it could be believed.
It could be true. There have been articles about this guy before. If I rememeber right, he gets up in the morning, picks a place for lunch, then spends the whole morning driving there and the whole afternoon driving back. Places like Vermont or Deleware, several hours each way, every day.
We've discussed this guy here on the forum before. The problem I have, is the articles don't always agree. This particular column didn't specify, but an old Chicago Tribune article from several years ago mentioned he's had to replace his engine and transmission a few times apiece. More recent articles have stated he's still on the original engine and tranny. I don't know what to believe anymore.
so this guy is driving far away places just to drive to put miles on his car and then to brag about it?
He's retired. He does in his Volvo what a lot of people do with the massive motor homes they sell their homes to purchase for after retirement. If I was retired I'd probably do a lot more driving too, not just for the drive, but see as much of the continent as I can up close before I go.
Nothing wrong with it.
Edit: and if I ever made the tiny million mile club I'd brag too. Everywhere. All the time. Except for when I was driving solo. Then I'd settle for bragging to myself (another benefit to being 72 and retired - who cares if you seem a little senile).
-Spyder
Originally Posted By: css9450
Originally Posted By: rshaw125
100,000 miles a year is almost 300 miles a day, every day. I don't see it. They got too ambitious with the story. If they had said 1.8 million it could be believed.
It could be true. There have been articles about this guy before. If I rememeber right, he gets up in the morning, picks a place for lunch, then spends the whole morning driving there and the whole afternoon driving back. Places like Vermont or Deleware, several hours each way, every day.
We've discussed this guy here on the forum before. The problem I have, is the articles don't always agree. This particular column didn't specify, but an old Chicago Tribune article from several years ago mentioned he's had to replace his engine and transmission a few times apiece. More recent articles have stated he's still on the original engine and tranny. I don't know what to believe anymore.
so this guy is driving far away places just to drive to put miles on his car and then to brag about it?
He's retired. He does in his Volvo what a lot of people do with the massive motor homes they sell their homes to purchase for after retirement. If I was retired I'd probably do a lot more driving too, not just for the drive, but see as much of the continent as I can up close before I go.
Nothing wrong with it.
Edit: and if I ever made the tiny million mile club I'd brag too. Everywhere. All the time. Except for when I was driving solo. Then I'd settle for bragging to myself (another benefit to being 72 and retired - who cares if you seem a little senile).
-Spyder
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The mile high club rates higher than the million mile club. Not that I would know of either but just an opinion.
You can join the mile high club for the cost of an air line ticket. Not much of an achievement or anything to brag about IMHO. Maintaining a car well enough that it accumulates a million miles is an achievement. And its a much smaller club.
-Spyder
-Spyder
Driven that many miles through New England winters it would be a pile of rust back in the 80's. Not forgetting the days where the roads would be treacherous from the weather. urban legend written all over it.
Quite an urban legend then. Try typing his name into Google and look through what comes up. Then come back and tell us again that its just an urban legend.
Legend yes.
Urban legend no.
-Spyder
Legend yes.
Urban legend no.
-Spyder
I wonder how many moving parts on that car are original?
Originally Posted By: Virtuoso
I wonder how many moving parts on that car are original?
From the man himself:
The engine gets regular oil changes and a new Volvo oil filter ... every 3,000-3,500 miles. Clean oil seems to be the key to longevity and is a lot cheaper than an engine replacement. I have made it a point to be meticulous about such things since the car was new. The points get replaced every 20-25,000 miles along with the spark plugs. Fuel filters and air filters are replaced as necessary as are belts and hoses. Replacing the fuel pump (mechanical) every million miles or so is no big deal … nor is rebushing the carburetor (two SU’s) throttle bushings every 900,000 miles or so. The same goes for the oil cooler. Nothing is forever as they say … but one can try to see just how long they can make things last. Even after commuting on the Long Island Expressway (The World’s Longest Parking Lot) for 35 years, the car has continued to provide yeoman service. The engine was only apart once … for a complete rebuild at my insistence when it had 680,000 miles as I had never heard of an engine capable of such mileage while continuing to run trouble free.
More here:
http://www.designnews.com/article/12384-...llion_Miles.php
I wonder how many moving parts on that car are original?
From the man himself:
The engine gets regular oil changes and a new Volvo oil filter ... every 3,000-3,500 miles. Clean oil seems to be the key to longevity and is a lot cheaper than an engine replacement. I have made it a point to be meticulous about such things since the car was new. The points get replaced every 20-25,000 miles along with the spark plugs. Fuel filters and air filters are replaced as necessary as are belts and hoses. Replacing the fuel pump (mechanical) every million miles or so is no big deal … nor is rebushing the carburetor (two SU’s) throttle bushings every 900,000 miles or so. The same goes for the oil cooler. Nothing is forever as they say … but one can try to see just how long they can make things last. Even after commuting on the Long Island Expressway (The World’s Longest Parking Lot) for 35 years, the car has continued to provide yeoman service. The engine was only apart once … for a complete rebuild at my insistence when it had 680,000 miles as I had never heard of an engine capable of such mileage while continuing to run trouble free.
More here:
http://www.designnews.com/article/12384-...llion_Miles.php
Points. Now there is a lesson for you young'uns. He gets extra credit for keeping that on the street all these years.
Carburetor and points. Old tech is at a loss there. Give me fuel injection and electronic ignition over that.
Crank down windows are just better though.
Carburetor and points. Old tech is at a loss there. Give me fuel injection and electronic ignition over that.
Crank down windows are just better though.
[censored]! Assuming 3,500 OCI's.. that's 800 oil changes.
Originally Posted By: Virtuoso
[censored]! Assuming 3,500 OCI's.. that's 800 oil changes.
They were shorter than that. The link I gave tells the exact number (900 odd) and what the cost works out to ($2,700 and change). The article gives a lot of info about his experience, but this was my favourite part of it:
"Why trade in or get rid of a car that continues to provide safe, comfortable and dependable transportation, all with timeless good looks? I cannot see any reason to sell the car or trade it in for a newer model. Don’t get me wrong, I love my new Volvos and I love AC, power everything, a wonderful stereo and lots of power, but my 1800 has become more than a part of me. I am divorced from my ex-wife, but my car seems to still love me so how could I be so cruel? Most likely I will pass on while in that car. Perhaps I can be stuffed and put behind the wheel and the two of us can be together in some museum one of these days. The car has given me a new meaning to the word “retirement.” If I were to sell the car, I would not get invited to anything fun or anyplace interesting any longer. No one would want to see me. After all, the car does all the work and I just go along for the ride."
An interesting perspective from a man living in age where society views everything as disposable, are obsessed with the latest fads - until they all too quickly are replaced by new ones, and constantly crave novelty and when that novelty wears off, its on to the newest "improvement" or upgrade. I just found the contrast striking.
-Spyder
[censored]! Assuming 3,500 OCI's.. that's 800 oil changes.
They were shorter than that. The link I gave tells the exact number (900 odd) and what the cost works out to ($2,700 and change). The article gives a lot of info about his experience, but this was my favourite part of it:
"Why trade in or get rid of a car that continues to provide safe, comfortable and dependable transportation, all with timeless good looks? I cannot see any reason to sell the car or trade it in for a newer model. Don’t get me wrong, I love my new Volvos and I love AC, power everything, a wonderful stereo and lots of power, but my 1800 has become more than a part of me. I am divorced from my ex-wife, but my car seems to still love me so how could I be so cruel? Most likely I will pass on while in that car. Perhaps I can be stuffed and put behind the wheel and the two of us can be together in some museum one of these days. The car has given me a new meaning to the word “retirement.” If I were to sell the car, I would not get invited to anything fun or anyplace interesting any longer. No one would want to see me. After all, the car does all the work and I just go along for the ride."
An interesting perspective from a man living in age where society views everything as disposable, are obsessed with the latest fads - until they all too quickly are replaced by new ones, and constantly crave novelty and when that novelty wears off, its on to the newest "improvement" or upgrade. I just found the contrast striking.
-Spyder
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