In  college, one of my buddies drove a 1965 Mustang convertible.  It was a miserably uncomfortable and tiny old car but it was a lot of fun.  We spent quite a bit of time together as we both played trombones in the concert band, we belonged to the same fraternity and he didn’t mind being a designated driver.  That car was his “baby”.  While his dorm room might have been a disaster area, his car was always spotless.  Nobody was ever allowed to smoke or eat in eat and, because there were no cup holders, drinks were also not allowed.  I was one of the fortunate few who were allowed to tag along in his tiny little car and I  appreciated every trip that he let me share.

I wonder if he’s heard about Irv Gordon’s car and how it’s about to drive its three millionth mile.

In  1965, Irv Gordon bought a 1966 Volvo P1800S for $4,150 … his entire year’s salary as a schoolteacher.  The Long Island, New York man immediately began accumulating miles on the car when he commuted back and forth to work counting about 125 miles roundtrip every day.  Almost forty-seven years and two rebuilt motors later, Gordon’s car is about to  drive its three millionth mile.

Gordon  has meticulously maintained the car over the years.  And, while the vehicle’s odometer can no longer display an accurate reading, the car’s mileage has been verified by his detailed maintenance records.  Ten years ago, the car became the first and only holder of a Guinness Book of World Records for having the highest mileage.  And the car only had 500,000 miles on it back then!

Gordon,  obviously, loves to drive.  Now retired, he boasts that he has treated himself to a cup of coffee in every state in the country.  He just keeps  going.  Once Volvo got word of his pampering and mileage accumulation mania, Volvo has made him a sort of company representative of the brand and invites him to appear at auto shows everywhere.

Surprisingly,  it seems that there are still quite a few of the 1965 Mustangs like my friend used to drive on the road today.  Every time I see one, I’m reminded of him and how much he loved that car.  I like to think that he
still has it … tucked away in a quiet garage where he can visit his “baby” whenever the mood strikes.

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