The average number of miles a usual car driver in the UK amasses each year is around the 8,500 mark. Irv Gordon from Long Island in the US, however, has averaged almost 64,000 a year over 47 years taking him close to the 3 million mark. An impressive number especially given the fact he’s done it all in the very same car he bought new in 1966.
After falling in love and spending a full year’s salary ($4,150) on the red Volvo P1800 at the age of 25, Irv has gone on to smash distance driving records. In fact, in 1998, he first broke the most miles driven by a single owner of a non-commercial vehicle record with 1.69 million miles and they’ve carried on motoring and breaking that record ever since. The pair knocked up 500,000 miles within the first ten years aided by a 125 mile commute and a love for exploring the open roads of America. The P18000’s first 1,500 mile service came after just one weekend.
Racking up the miles has been made possible by the retired science teacher’s love and meticulous caring of the Volvo. He has also taken his trusty steed to the same “A” rated Volvo technician for the last 15 years based in the same dealership where he purchased it. It’s not that the car has done almost 3 million miles with no work carried out though. The engine has had two rebuilds done, the first was not through necessity more caution, because Irv had never imagined the car would run that long. The shiny red Volvo has also not always been quite so shiny and has had a fair few scrapes including two with school buses; all while stationary, which Irv has mended at local garages.
The 73 year old aims to reach the huge 3 million milestone in Alaska later this year, one of two US states he’s never visited. He says "…these next few thousands of miles will be special and sentimental for me. I'm looking forward to visiting my favourite places in big, beautiful America - from national parks to roadside cafes, from the Pacific Coast Highway to small roads that are miles from the Interstate." It seems as though he’s yet to lose that sense of adventure which should surely carry him towards his goal.
Inspired by Irv’s record breaking feats, below are 5 of the best driving related record breakers.
- Fastest speed for a car driven blindfolded goes to Metin Sentürk (who has no vision in both eyes) of Turkey who drove a Ferrari F430 182.03mph.
- Lowest fuel consumption during circumnavigation by car was completed by John and Helen Taylor covering 18,001 miles with only 24 refuels.
- Most people aboard a car driven on two wheels is 8 adults. The car was driven 405 metres in Australia in 2005.
- Fastest reverse drive over 500 miles was set in Canada by Rob Gibney who averaged 41.42mph over a distance of 501.69 miles.
- Fastest caravan tow reached 141.998mph and was achieved by Jason Sands in California, USA.
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