http://savvytraveler.publicradio.org...20322intv2.ram A few facts about Irv and the car...
Irv Gordon's Volvo has to be a monument to the payoff of proper car care. It has been named the car with the highest mileage by The Guinness Book of Records. Irv bought the car new and has rolled up over two million miles!
After purchasing the car on Friday, he was back at the dealership on Monday with 1500 miles for it's first service. He drove the car back and forth to work, a 125 mile daily trip in the bumper-to-bumper commute on the notorious Long Island Expressway. And that includes treks through winter's salt and slush. Furthermore, Irv parks his Swedish sportster outside exposed to the sun and salt air.
Wait, it gets even better. Irv drives his Volvo cross-country to compete in Volvo Club shows. He has taken several First and Second Places in National competition. So what's his secret? Irv follows the book for recommended service intervals, changing his oil every 3000 miles, and hosing salt off the undercarriage with high-pressure hot water.
At 2.5 million miles some amazing numbers....
710 oil changes
0 false starts
0 replacement engines
cost of car new in 1966 $1,440 and only ever driven by Irv.
99 tune ups
8,285 tanks of fuel
About 100 (25 sets) of tyres according to what he says below
This is what Irv says has been replaced....
Transmission has had the 3rd gear syncro replaced as well as the front and rear oil seals.
Brake rotors have been replaced once and the rear drums are still original.
Clutch and throw out bearing gets replaced approx. every 450,000 miles as needed.
Carburetors get rebuilt and throttle shafts get rebushed every 900,000 miles
One new starter motor
Two fuel pumps (first pump was changed at 1, 251,000 miles)
Three water pumps
Shocks, bushings, tie rods, etc. are replaced as needed...also at very high mileage...usually over 400,000 miles
Front seats have been recovered twice ( I have no garage and the sun has a tendency to dry out the leather after a while). The rest of the interior is all original
Speedometer gets serviced by Smiths Instruments ( Nisonger Corp.) approximately every 100,000 miles...cleaned, lubricated and calibrated)
All gauges are original including the AM-FM radio
Sheet metal is original except for the rocker panels(rust), jacking struts (rust) and the rear panel due to an accident. The chrome has been redone about 20 years ago and the nose grille surround was replaced due to an accident in 1987.
Original radiator was damaged in the same accident in 1987...and I am on my second radiator.
Heater core and control switch have been replaced once.
Tires are replaced about every 100,000 miles and usually I need brake pads at about the same mileage. ( I use Bridgestone Tires)
Oil gets changed every 3500 miles and the rest of the service is done according to the owners manual.
Brake Master Cylinder and Clutch Master and Slave units have been replace twice each.
Brake vacuum Booster has been replaced once.
That is about all I can think of right now. If you have any further questions...feel free to drop a line. Always willing to help out. Many of the parts are still original....doors, fenders, hood, trunk...all locks, switches, wiring, distributor, overdrive, drive shaft, axles, wheels, wiper mechanism, window washer pump and bottle, horn, seat belts, and steering box. Sorry, that is all I can think of at this time.
Hope this helps clear up your questions.
Best wishes,
Irv
Truly Amazing.
Roy