The 3 MILLION-MILE VOLVO: Driving the worlds most driven car | The Next Big Thing | Ep. 208
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- čas přidán 25. 07. 2024
- Irv Gordon put 3 MILLION miles on his Volvo P1800, setting a Guinness World Record for the most driven non-commercial vehicle. In this exclusive first drive, Magnus Walker becomes the first person outside of Volvo to drive the car since Irv's passing and goes on a very special ride with Irv's friend and mechanic Nino Gambino.
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Irv Gordon’s 3-Million-Mile Volvo P1800: www.hagerty.com/media/people/...
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Episode chapters:
00:00 Cold Open
00:22 Introduction
01:03 The Saint
01:27 Meet Irv Gordon
02:24 Irv's mechanic
03:32 Why Irv loved to drive
04:12 The best thing about the car
05:00 How Nino came to Volvos
06:10 Irv's legacy
06:51 Conclusion
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#NextBigThing #MagnusWalker #Volvo - Auta a dopravní prostředky
I absolutely LOVE that this glorious car is still regularly driven. "A ship is safe in the harbor...but that's not what ships are for."
Reminds me of my 240z I daily it
@@jackhosford9925 on a slightly different level though mate lol
@@jackhosford9925 ok
@@LochyP how is it? You realise the 240z and the P1800 both came out within the same decade?
its not good for a car to just sit either...
Picture yourself buying a brand new Toyota GT86 in 2021 in red and then driving it 62,500 miles a year, every year without fail, for 52 years. By 2073 you will have matched Irv's mileage. Mad. What a legend, RIP Irv.
5,208 miles a month
171 miles a day
My company owns a bunch of Promaster vans which do similar miles each year. Most of them have had their engines replaced at least once already.
@@jordanbell4420, I also have a ProMaster, and took it to a Ram dealer who said the P0302 would be a major engine repair. I then took it to a trusted local mechanic who replaced the coil and it was fixed. I wonder how often it's a bad engine (which is common on Pentastars) and how often it's poor quality diagnostics?
That is an absolutely amazing stat when put like that. 62,500 miles for 52 frickin years. I love it. I knew 3 million miles is a boat load but for some reason when you put it like that, it completely blew me away and seemed even more unobtainable.
Somehow, that's almost exactly 100,000 km per year.
@@questioner1596 Our vans typically have engines fail when the cats fail, and the engine sucks the metal fragments into the cylinder. Usually around 200-250k miles. The transmissions usually fail at around 130k.
Legendary car and legendary owner!!
most hyundai won't last 1/30 of that miles.
Where do you rate it on the scale?
wha-
i didn't expect to see you here
Interesting, I'm not subbed to you, but my top recommended video today was the toxic mud video and this video was nr.2
So somehow they are connected and the algorithm connected me to this video via a few videos of yours I've watched
i ran into irv and his volvo a few times always had a smile on his face
Rest in peace Irv Gordon, he always seemed like a genuinely down to earth and nice guy and I was fascinated by his story ever since I've known about him and his beautiful P1800 .. Nino Gambino with a name like that if he is not secretly a mafia boss I will be disappointed but god bless him he really cherish his friendship with Irv .. the fact that Volvo now owns the car and it's still being driven bring joy to my heart .. thank you Magnus and crew for such a well done video of such an iconic machine!
Volvos are simply awesome! Old and new!
Carlo Gambino lived in my town. I never brought him cannoli or anything like that. I never asked him about his business.
Still better than everything on Facebook marketplace
That’s because it’s been lovingly cared for and driven well. I mean 3M miles is just breathtaking! It’s quite the testament to the quality of those cars! I mean it’s also something valuable and not clapped out and abused as I would find with the cars local to me on FB market place lol
Just amazing🙏🏾
The people who sell cars on Facebook marketplace I do wonder if they just think 1 minute, ‘I am gonna sell my car’ take 2 blurry upside down photos, the car is usually dirty too. The description is usually useless
‘Great car, no issues, £500’
I remember seeing a red P1800 heading up the NJTPK in the early 2000s. I thought it might be Irv's as I got closer I saw the plate which confirmed it was Irv returning from somewhere.
So uve seen the car with ur own eyes
Irv was a really nice guy. I saw him often at car show’s. One interesting fact about him, and the car, that you omitted. Irv didn’t have a Garage. Aside from the amount of time the car spent on the road, it was always outside! Amazing.
Wow thanks for that. I was thinking what the hell are they driving in the rain for then realised Irv did it. They must be good cars for rust resistance
Damned apostrophes, eh? Tricky little buggers - do you use one, do you NOT use one, it's an absolute mystery, isn't it? Ah, there - a word ending in s! Quick, put an apostrophe in before the s and...relax...job well done. 😉
@@markfox1545 genuinely who cares
@@markfox1545 Looks like you need to go touch some grass my friend.
@@markfox1545 impressive
It really touching to see Irv's car still running and continuing the legend.
Of all the cars I’ve owned, including my E-type and F-type, the P1800 is the one car I wish I could have kept.
Which one out of the three do/did you enjoy most?
20-25 years ago I passed on a p1800 I didn't have the money for a spare car I regret that decision.
@@Deverouxe the vague answer is all three for different reasons. The P1800 because I made it into a restomod before that was even a word.
The E-type for the great satisfaction of bringing a neglected rust bucket with some suspicious “bodywork” back to it’s former glory. Also modified, but very subtle.
The F-type for the sheer driving experience.
I’d consider a P1800 again as a restomod, but not the other two.
@@olewurtz7625 Well with your history of cars and this comment. One could easily interpret you as a tasteful gentleman…
I miss my P1800 too. 1965 and it was a joy to hustle along.
Cars are meant to be driven and not tucked away. That’s a wonderful statement and I agree. This is a beautiful story and the car looks great for its age.
No matter vehicle, a high miler is a celebration, it means it’s had a life
And it means it wasn't replaced needlessly, and kept waste to a minimum, which is a beautiful thing.
@@sauercrowder It's not so much about the environmental impact, I can't find beauty in that, I don't go saying "Oh yehay! That plastic is recycled, woah!"
I met him in the mid 90’s in Modesto, Ca. I worked at the Volvo dealership as a Volvo tech. He was passing through and they let him change his own oil, he wouldn’t let us help. He signed some pictures for us and talked about the car and it’s history. He was a really nice guy.
Former Tracy resident here who now lives in Fremont. Would you happen to know any Volvo meetups in the area? Love to meet other enthusiasts who share the same passion for Volvo as I do.
You never really hear how much he actually worked on the car himself...thanks for this insight!
@@gazm I do not. I’m long separated from the Volvo life.
@@chrism5451 You're a very wise man! lol
In 1968/69 my parents bough a Volvo 145S american spec with automatic. My mother took delivery of it in Paris at the height of the student rebellions and riots of the time, tear gas and burning cars as she drove out of Paris. They kept the car for forty years and finally gave it to the mechanic who had looked after it for most of its life, I can remember road trips all over Europe in it, I learnt to drive in it. One epic trip, just me and my mother in the early eighties, we drove from the north of Spain to Holland non stop in 22 hours. A few years earlier during severe snowstorms in the Massif Central it took us three days to do the same trip. It had the same wheels, engine, suspension and maybe gearbox as the 3.2 million mile Volvo. It was white with a red interior. If you were trying to get through heavy snow in the Pyrenees two people standing on the back bumper holding on to the roof rack improved the traction no end. Passing through Toulouse we saw one of the early flights of Concorde. Memories.
:)
@WhiteVanMan, thank you for sharing your story also!
Thank you for sharing! Do you know how many km's it racked up over the years?
Those B motors were the best ever made, regular oil/filter change and they´d last forever.
We have a saying here in Sweden: "The car will wear out before the motor gives out!"
American spec so it was in miles, about 260,000 miles, just one top end rebuild to reduce the compression and make it suitable for unleaded petrol. @@sjorsangevare
I've had mine for 30 years. Definately not sporty bit quite powerful vs an MGB. R.I.P. Irv. Q legend to all of us P1800 devotees.
Well done for keeping the car! I'm very Jealous!
@@wobbers99 Thankyou. I hated myself for selling my 57 MGA I used to drive in my early twenties. I then stumbled on an immaculate 1800 which I said I would keep forever unless a perfect very early 911 came along. I've so missed that opportunity to buy an affordable one of those. I almost had one 16 years who but it was not to be. I love the 1800. It was my daily driver for 20 years and performed that task beautifully.
@@volvogt21 respect to you for your dedication to maintaining such an iconic car. I just got my first car, a Volvo C30. Nothing better than Volvo reliability.
@@kayamac3 thank you for your kind words. I'm not sure Iif chose it or it chose me. I like the c30. They have a lot of style and stand out from the crowd. Good choice!
@@volvogt21 you must be a mechanic surely ? How do you cope with the maintenance on a classic like this ? It is a very unique the car the C30 - quality Belgium build.
Last year I sold my SLK 230 convertible and picked up from a neighbor two blocks away a 1970 1800e and I'm only the third owner. It only had 47,000 original miles and now one year later I have 57,500 original miles! I park it outside I drive it every other day to work and have driven it long distances to different cars and coffees! I do all the maintenance work and the model that I have has the fuel injection along with the m410 racing transmission. I vowed to myself never to have a classic car that just sits in a garage again. Great job on this video!
Sell it to someone who appreciates it
@@9.5.9.5 that is such a wrong way of thinking, Id keep it till the wheels fall of from driving
@@Diletronik No it's not. Get one with high mileage and spare the rare good ones
@@9.5.9.5 cars are meant to be driven not sat in a garage to wait for their price to go up or to look at them.
@@Diletronik Amen!, I will ban collectors and speculators that only buy a car to store waiting to make some profit! Worse people ever
This is a true ecology. One car for a lifetime
Volvos pre p1800 weren't square and boxy. That started with the 140 series
Agree! They were round and curvy. Nice!
Even the tp21 sugga wasn't boxy
And that was a 3 ton military 4x4
The old Volvos are extremely durable, even now. Wish i can find someday the Volvo 940 Polar in time capsule condition.
there honestly pretty common at least on the west coast of the usa. and cheep even in good condition
@@ptmax71 unfortunately, I'm not from USA, and car customs clearance is very expensive in where i live, so for me it will be difficult to find good one. But I'll try to find
I bought a red block 240 off the original owners it was 100 percent a barn find
@@_retrophile_7473 from Russia? Not sure what part but try Finland?
@@ptmax71 oh no, the Finnish construction Volvos are not protected from corrosion with zink, need Swedish.
Irv and this P1800 were legend even back in the 90's.
This is the best video of the series. I love how Magnus tells the story of this car. Also great to see them filming in the 'other' Orange County.
Curious, where were they filming?
County rt. 106 in Harriman State Park in Orange County NY. It’s a great road when traffic is light.
I must have been 8 years old and the family was camping at Byron Bay NSW Australia and Dad' friend who sold Volvo trucks who had a P1800 in white as a company car, yes a company car, and visited us.
He then took my brothers and me in the P1800 to a grass airstrip where he parked the car next to a Cessna , he then took us for a flight and landed next to the P1800.
Best day ever. The day seemed so sophisticated and it would have been a wonderful photo for Volvo merchandise.
This car belongs on the national historic registry.
Yes, and also on the road!
It belongs in a museum!!!
I thought his daughter's got this P1800 after her father. Danielle Gordon. I've read about it a few years ago.
No it should be driven not put away
@@MM-rf8ml agree
That conclusion was beautiful, I haven't heard it said better. Thanks for the video! Really enjoyed it
@Pirate1391 Agreed!
you know a car is good when it outlives it's owner!
Rest in peace Irv, and may your Volvo keep on rolling!
Great video! Thanks to Magnus and Nino to keep Irv’s spirit alive. He definitely took “cars are meant to be driven” to the Max!! I have a 1966 P1800S, love the lines, design and history. Has been one of the first cars (if not the first) with 3 points safety belt. Rally people love Volvos (like the Amazon) as they are truly very dependable!
The anti-garage queen we see on BAT & cars & coffees where everyone congratulates the owner on not enjoying the car and saving it for someone else. Good on ya, Irv!
Whenever I see a listing that says the current owner only drove it for 50-200 miles it really irritates me
I met him in a cars and coffee in Charlotte ☕️ and Mr. Gordon was a very cool guy that we connected right away. This video is just amazing Mr. Walker . Congrats 🎉🍾🎈
"They don't build them like they used to"
That car is proof, outliving it's an amazing owner Irv Gordon and keeps on rolling down the road showing the manufacture, engineers, workers producing a good line of car, to the loving care by Irv that keep it going.
Something about watching you drive that wonderful car on wet roads for this video was truly satisfying. Thanks, Hagerty.
Thank you irv and everyone like him, and thank you Hagerty for preserving and sharing these stories. I love all things automobile and how much personality and history we can put Into an inanimate machine. I love my boys, and the stories, memories we make with my trusty wheeled companions.
Thanks for being a fan, Shawn!
My favorite video of this series, this makes me want to go drive and enjoy the United state with many road trips and memories.
I don’t know why this video brought a tear to my eye. Freedom is beautiful
Only 2 engine rebuilds is crazy. Is it still the original block?
There's no wear on the actual block, the cylinder sleeves, whether wet or dry, can be replaced. The crankshaft will allow several cuts, requiring over-sized bearings.
It appears to be. I think it got rebored and modified to use unleaded fuel back in 2003, but otherwise it's the same stock block.
The beautiful thing about these P1800s was that they used a cut down version of one of Volvo's truck engines - a little slow, but unbelievably unreliable.
@@manfail7469 that's actually a yes and no on that it is actually a new block based on a different design
@@manfail7469 B18,same as P121 Amazon,the PV, and the army vehicles Volvo BV 202/204 beltwagons and Volvo Laplander L-3314
Only thing with 3 million miles on it is the odometer 🤣🤣
My grandparents bought a 67’ 1800s from the factory in Sweden in 67 and I daily it in Maine in the summer.
Thank you, sorry to hear about Erv's passing. I met him a few times while attending New England swedish car club day events. Always a gentlemen, always an ambassador for Volvo. Unbelievable that he'd hop into his red P1800 and drive all night from Long Island to Chicago, Atlanta, Bangor, everywhere for a weekend car show. God speed Erv, it was a pleasure talking with you.
💔🇸🇪👍🇺🇲🏁
It's Irv! :)
The old Volvo’s were made different! I can’t believe how many miles it’s been driven! This looks like a perfect daily drive
Gordon was a nice gentleman! Really mindblowing how passioned he was for his volvo :) If stars would ever line up, I would love to have that p1800. Would get to 5 million miles as a promise.
You guys have really upped your game. This is an outstanding channel. Loving all the new personalities and content.
I've met Irv several times. Nice guy. He bought the car at Volvoville in Amityville, New York the town where I grew up. Volvoville was the biggest Volvo dealer in the US back then. The car was mint when I saw it at Carlisle, PA and Lime Rock, Ct.
I don't know if Irv would approve of somebody else driving his car, but it is really nice to see. Thank you Hagerty for this feature. I wasn't aware that Volvo now owned the car either.
My neighbors had one in the early 70's and I still remember how wonderful the leather smelled. It was nothing like the leather found in mass-market cars today. And in the early 70's, fuel injection and electronic overdrive was a big deal. I like the P1800, but if I could have any vintage Volvo, I think I'd take a 1971 142E.
Been following Irv and this car for more than 30 years. I was sorry to hear of his passing but glad that his memory lives on in this classic Volvo. Also pleased that Volvo purchased this car to
ensure that it remains as it was when Irv owned it. 😊
Great to see Irv's story surface again! Thanks, Magnus. I've owned two of these, a few 240s, a 740, and (now) a 122S. I'll differ on how Volvo was perceived pre-1800. Their PVs, all the way from 1935, were considered advanced and quite aerodynamic. The Amazon (P1200-P220), getting it's sophisticated lines from several influences, including - it is said - the Chrysler C-300 (though the iconic grill design was in place years earlier), and was a highly regarded "performance" sedan. And like the later PVs, was raced rather successfully for decades (and still is!). The 1966 140 was the first "box" Volvo, a design focus that carried on through about 2000.
it's amazing to see how well he kept the car, almost perfect condition after over 3 million miles, i've seen cars with less than a tenth of that mileage in so much terrible conditions, he deserves all the respect
Great video and an amazing story! I never understood people that don't want to put miles on their cars just to preserve the value. Enjoy it as much as you can, instead of just keeping it nice for the next guy.
I met Irv in around 1999/2000 when he came to the UK.
I was at my local pub in Suffolk, playing in an annual rugby match.
Being a classic car fan, I struck up conversation with him ( not knowing the back story) and at half time, He drove me around the pitch !!
A lovely chap who, with me, laughed at the spectators confusion !!
A memory that will die with me !
I've been in love with this car since I first laid eyes on one as a kid.
R.I.P to Irv. I bet the car is glad it's getting to drive again for a few minutes too
Arguably one of the most beautiful cars made. Even the wagon was awesome. This would be my dream classic car to own. R. I. P. Irv.
Truly astounding. I was feeling good about my 06 Saab 93 hitting 200k yesterday 😛
This P1800 is absolutely beautiful. I have had the pleasure of seeing it in person at the VCOA Gettysburg meet over Labor Day weekend. For the miles it has, it looks like brand new and you can tell it was well maintained. It shows that Irv Gordon loved his car.
Magnus
I thought about saying Hi to you at Pebble Beach and recommending you to do a show on my 1972 Volvo 1800
But I decided to leave you alone with your wife. I am do glad this episode covered this special car. I just wished you mentioned the Italian (Frua ) design behind its gorgeous lines Thanks and all the best.
I remember it from being in the news when it made its first million.
Hands down the best channel I have ever seen/enjoyed !❤️❤️👍🏽👊👊👊👊🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
What a brilliant story about Irvin and the incredible Volvo and Nino his mechanic. Refreshingly beautiful story that he kept the car for so long in contrast to the throw away culture in the world that we have now. Beautiful scenery in the video . Thank you.
One of the best videos I've seen so far this year. Absolutely loved it! 😍
One of if not THE most wholesome car/driver stories I’ve come across!!! I wish we could all be a bit more like Irv Gordon.
I don't think the planet would thank us not a good idea the fewer miles we do the better
Cool story. I could see a 2000's manual civic going this kind of mileage with the same dedication. I too would love to drive my car this long but I live in Chicago so if the rust won't eat it the mega potholes and aggressive drivers will
Such a great story. Nino seems like he’s a good guy and a good person. Much respect.
Thanks Magnus. A really thoughtful and well put together video.
Beautiful. I learned to drive on a 68 122s wagon.
Even fully restored for the car museum is the best way to keep this historical Volvo classic running for years to come.
I had the pleasure of driving past Irv’s house on a few occasions over the years on the way to a boat dealer in Patchogue. I never saw this car until the very last time; parked in the driveway, I would see the cars that Volvo gave him at the one and two million mile marks. He must have been on the road with his baby.
Sadly, the last time I passed, the 1800 was there, tucked away on the side of his property under some sort of carport. I suspected that he might not be well.
The car is a testament more to Irv’s endurance than the Volvo. Sorry I never got to meet him.
This was featured in an episode of Chasing Classic Cars on Velocity/Motor Trend network in 2019. Wayne Carini of F40 Motorsports talked to Irv’s daughters about the car and gave them an appraisal and advice as to how to proceed with care of the car.
I saw the old Volvo ad, told people to drive the car like they hate it, I had 1964 122s Volvo, drove it hard, airborne, 3/4 left donut to make a right turn, and half submerged in ocean. finally sold it at the stop light.
Excellent story I totally agree with Magnus it's all about the stories you make as you go through life.
Quite simply amazing. The owner of the car and the car have both gone home.
I was very tempted by a P1800E back in the late '90s, was going to put and Oldsmobile 215ci V8 into it. Never happened, though I did get the engine. The view of the fins from the side mirrors was very nice, they are very good looking cars, the style has held up very well.
The first time I read about Irv and his car (don't remember the date or mileage at the time), he said in the interview that he would get up in the morning to have his coffee, but that the coffee shop he chose that day could be 400 miles away. So he'd drive 400 miles to have his coffee.
How much fun would that be to do, every day, and each day a different place?
I love this video, and I love the comments. I happen to be a Volvo enthousiast and could not believe my eyes the first time I saw a red P1800 in person (nor believe it was a Volvo, they're truly striking!) I was fascinated to find out a few years later that it is a (this!) P1800 that holds this beautiful record, with a beautiful ownership story to match. Irv, forever a legend an inspiration. R.I.P.
It's really a impressive mileage, my 635csi has covered 306000 km or 191000 miles and I think that is a lot, at only 16% of Irv's P1800.
With that said 18 previous owners, and a Bi-Turbo conversion, my car is still at its prime 👌
And that's not always the case for a 38 year old car.
the fact a car so heavily modified with so many owners got to that mileage is a feat within itself tbh
200000 miles is only 6-7 % of 3000000
I got to meet Irv at a Golden Gate Volvo gettogether some years ago--super nice guy and wow, what a story?! He really like my C30 R-Design that I did and overseas delivery with! I gotta dig out the photo I took with him!
The final monologue from Magnus, i can't agree more.
I am 41,owned nearly as much cars as i am old, had rattle cans and exotics, the one thing i never cared about is the milage.
I drive a lot, for me its the most relaxing thing. A night drive through the city, out to winding roads, a road trip 2000km in 24hrs - have done it and will still do it.
I knowed of a guy who had over 100000 km on his Ferrari. He has the same mindset, a car is to be driven, not locked up.
This video make me appreciating my 10 years old car. Had an engine replacement and loving it even more!
An engine replacement after 10 years? You must drive American.
Talk about NOSTALGIA. RIP Irv. I remember seeing a show, one of the morning show (ABC, NBC, or CBS) when this car was the world record at 1 million miles. I am positive it was Irv Gordon. What stuck to me was that he said he was the only driver as being the key reason for the car longevity. I had a 1996 Honda Civic EX Coupe that hit 280K miles. For many miles in the later part of its life, I did not even give it a tune up. Just made sure I got good gas mileage (36 mpg ++) and that it passed the smog test. Original engine, trans, and I don't recall getting the rear brakes replaced. Several cheap radiator changes though, and oh, I do change the oil (8K miles or so) and use synthetic. My biggest regret is that I gave it a gasket seal job. The car was only getting a bit of water on one of the spark plug, and only noticeable in the cold morning, where the car would shake a bit till it warmed up. It was never the same, but I would not hesitate driving it to Vegas from LA. The car was totaled in 2010.
such a legendary car deserves the coverage by a legendary channel
Great video. Bought a 1966 P 1800S three years ago, inspired by the saint ;-) Like Irvs car, it has this beautiful instrument panel - which was changed in the later editions of the car. The P1800 itself drives smoothly, it is very comfortable and yes - reliable. I totally agree that these cars has to be driven on a regular basis. Driving a P1800 is more than a hobby - it is passion. May Irv bless all P1800 from heaven (and all other drivers and cars, too :-)...
The true value is from the drive experience and ownership, not the profit you make when you sell the car. RESPECT! I owned my volvo S60 2012 type, with the very contraversial powertrain from Ford, and I still drove it for 10 years without any repairing job. Love it...
When I first heard of this car the story was it had 1 000 000 miles. I remember when he passed 2 and this is the first time I heard he passed 3. What a legend.
To be honest this volvo p1800 especially the sports estate was my favourite
I love the P1800. What a wonderful car, definitely a dream to own one.
My mate trigger is a road sweeper and has had the same broom for over 20years. Its had 17 new heads and 14 new handles in its time, and is still going strong!
Awesome wideo about this legacy. Thank you. Great job Hagerty!
This reminds me of an old Volvo ad in a magazine in the nineties. Two pictures side by side, the lunar lander and a seventies Volvo 245. The caption was :"Guess which one has most miles on the clock"
I remember reading atbout this car at the dentist back in the late 80’s, back then it was just over a million miles
One of the best motoring story out there. Amazing job honoring it.
This car is MOST enviromental help when car hasnt change or replaced for such long time. No resources from earth is been used for so many decades. Very honourable.
I bought one more than 20 years ago and drive it every summer long. It’s a piece of art on the road and made for long drives on country roads.
6:52 CONCLUSION IS JUST PERFECT!!!!
A car like this and its owner always share a bond, often unknown to others but, close family! This generation of people knew how to keep things instead of replacing them every now and then. I have seen a couple of videos associated with this particular P1800 and I must say, what a beautifully used car it is! Used and kept well at the same time!
What a great story. I remember when I first got my license, I wanted to buy a used P1800 for something like $2,000 U.S. Alas, I couldn't get a loan. On the other hand, I did find a model of the P1800 so I bought that instead.
That was inspiring to hear that someone has such a bond with his car.
Wow such an inspiring story! Love this so much! 💙💙💙💙
My fav type of car ever - and this one is such a legend. Amazing.
That car looks better than by far most cars on the road today, what an absolutely well built and beautiful machine. The fact that nothing like this is being sold today is sad.
I saw this car at an auto show in Baltimore about the mid to late 1990s being showed along with new Volvos at the Volvo display. (The car hadn't yet had the "MILNMILR" plates, although it had gone over that mark by that time.) And I met Mr. Gordon himself! I'll say it was amazing how he put all those miles on that one car all those years before he passed away in 2018.
And it's nice to know the Volvo is still being cared for today, although, IMO, it should go to a museum and the chances of anyone matching Mr. Gordon's accomplishment are slim. At least no inexperienced teenager has gotten his hands on it. (9/11/2021)
*WE'LL NEVER FORGET*
Looking at my volvos in my driveway right now. Wish they were this reliable these days 😂
But at least they got safety and luxury
One of the coolest cars ever
Great story and I've always had a soft spot for P1800s, especially the wagons. I just did some quick math and it looks like Irv was averaging about 58,000 miles a year (4836 miles a month over 56 years) on his car. Where was he ever putting that many miles on his car on Long Island? The average person drives less than 1000 miles per month. I see that his daily commute was 125 miles, which would be about 38 commutes per month. Apparently after 1M miles Volvo gave him a 780 coupe, which he put 450,000 miles on, while still adding miles to the P1800. If he drove the P1800 for 3.2 million miles, and also the 780 for another 450,000 miles -- when was he ever home??? Between the two cars that would be about 5,505 miles a month during the last 56 years, even more since he passed away a couple of years ago. Wow!
Huntington NY to Huntington Beach CA is about 2900 miles. Given that his commute alone was 3125 miles per month, in order to average 4800 miles per month, he could do his commute, and then drive from Huntington NY to Huntington Beach CA and back every 6 months. Even more if you throw in the 780. I'm just trying to wrap my mind around the number of hours he must have spent in his car!
It's mind boggling.
There was just something about post-WWII America and the middle-class embrace of freedom, travel, and the automobile. In the 1960s while getting his PhD in lower Manhattan, my father commuted twice a week from Southold, Long Island, about 200 miles roundtrip on congested highways. For 10 years of spring breaks, we drove straight from Huntington, Long Island to Daytona Beach, Florida -- about 1,000 miles within 24 hours. We also drove cross-country during these years as well, arriving in Colorado within three days. My grandparents would drive regularly from Manhasset, Long Island to the family farm in Newport, New Hampshire -- a 500-mile roundtrip on a weekend. They would drive to Skaneateles, New York to take my father out to dinner when he was studying in nearby Syracuse -- another 500-mile roundtrip in a day. They also drove to New Orleans and back every year for Mardi Gras. I've done my fair share of distance driving too, putting about 800,000 miles on a trio of Honda Civics. That's why I connect so strongly with this Irv Gordon story. It's pure Americana in a way that we may never see again.
Wish I had the chance to meet Mr Gordon. I love this series, keep it going please.