How many miles do you think a pampered ­engine could rack up? Hundreds of thousands? How about millions!

 

Irv Gordon, a Long Island, NY, resident who has traveled the U.S. for nearly 50 years, can ­attest to that. He’s driven the same vehicle, a shiny, red 1966 Volvo P1800, racking up nearly 3 million miles.

Featured in the May 2007 issue of sister publication ­Underhood Service, Gordon and his Volvo had reached 2.5 million miles on the odometer.

At that time, the Volvo had received over its life 710 oil changes, one new starter and a rebuild to the original engine (at 675,000 miles).

Gordon is still driving the P1800, which he purchased new in 1966 for $4,150. And the Volvo’s 3-million-mile milestone is literally on the horizon.

Volvo Cars of North America has developed a website that auto enthusiasts can visit, 3MillionReasons.com, to follow Gordon’s unique story and view his latest travels as he journeys the country.

“I never had a goal to get to 1 million, to 2 million. I just ­enjoyed driving and experiencing life through my Volvo,” said Gordon, who holds the Guinness Book of World Records recognition for most miles driven by a single owner in a non-commercial vehicle, and has driven more than 2.99 ­million miles in his shiny red Volvo.

Nino Gambino, a technician with an “A” rating at Volvoville in Huntington, NY, the same dealership where Gordon purchased his car in 1966, said, “Because Irv follows the owner’s manual and truly cares for and loves his car, I have no doubt he’ll reach 3 million. Irv always says he takes better care of the car than himself!”

Based on his calculations, Gordon plans to reach 3 million miles in Alaska this September.

How are you promoting maintenance to your customers to keep their vehicles in top-running condition and to go that extra mile? Maybe not 3 million, but enough to fuel their passion for vehicle ownership and all the freedom and ­performance that a well-maintained vehicle offers.