We all are aware that the fame of resilience of the P1800 has been demonstrated by our friend Irv Gordon for 5 decades with the highest mileage in the world for a personal car.
This is due to several factors:
High class engineering with top materials thought for the long term
A design for easy maintenance
Part of the success is the incredible reliability and strength of the volvo B18 engine, this video seems a good presentation of the story behind it, from B16 to the perf B21!
Our under-stressed motors will surely guarantee that all the Volvo P1800 will outlive their owners!
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 in 2018 and goes on a very special ride with Irv's friend and mechanic Nino Gambino.
Hi my friend Irv !
I am sure your saw this, this drive is surely keeping the flame of your fame memory.
Your car is simply not only a record mileage 1800 it is the unique Irv's Gordon 1800S and we see you each time we see this car.
This is with such great sadness that we learned that our friend and guide Irv Gordon passed away while travelling in China Nov 16th while he was telling his daughter "I am having the time of my life"
Words are missing to describe how much he meant for so many of us.
We are missing a worldwide figure and a friend.
I will forever remember the 2 years of preparation with Irv of the Viking Classic Autoshow in France in 2010 where he helped us manage to bring him together with Pelle Petterson the designer of the P1800, this started a friendship for several passions we share together the first one being the P1800 and the second the classic cars, as most do not know that not only Irv was driving his 1800S but also enjoyed miles on other cars too, including several classic cars.
Rest in peace my Friend! Thank you for all the good times, you driving my 1800S, chats, jokes, smile on your face and on the phone all these years, and most important for having set forever among all the flame of the P1800.
Thank you
You've made me feel right at home Thanks. Irv Gordon (driving my 1800S in France 2010)
Irv last picture sent to his daughter "I am having the time of my life!"
Not to be missed, production and interpretation by the fellow Volvo enthusiast Tom Demarest, the Ballad of Irv Gordon and his P1800 has just been made available for all of us.
Definitively a consecration to be on "The" Classic Cars reference,
Irv and his P1800 on cover page of Hemmings Dec issue for his 3 mln miles achievement !
In newsstand Nov 12th; get yours!
It’s been a journey of journeys for Irv Gordon. From the day he bought
his P1800 in New York in 1966 until the moment he rolled to 3 million
miles in Alaska today Sept.
17, 2013 on the Seward Highway - Alaska Highway 1 - along the Turnagain
Arm at 4:00PM , Irv experienced firsthand Discovery. Joy. Friendship. His record is in
the books, but the car is still on the road. I can not, like hundreds, tell Irv how a wonderful mark he accomplished for all of us P1800 enthusiasts. WoNdErFuL ! Congrats and
Thank you ! Let the champagne bottles pop!
Long Island’s Irv Gordon to Reach Three Million Mile Mark in his Volvo P1800 Today
First Person to Drive Three Million Miles in Same Car Will Reach Ultimate Driving Milestone on Alaska’s Seward Highway
ROCKLEIGH, N.J. (Sept. 17, 2013) – Today,
74-year-old Long Island native and retired science teacher Irv Gordon
will reach a milestone no other individual has accomplished in more than
100 years of automobile manufacturing: driving three million miles in
the same vehicle – a shiny, cherry red 1966 Volvo P1800.
To mark the occasion, Gordon will drive his three millionth mile
today on the Seward Highway – Alaska Highway 1 – along the Turnagain
Arm. The “Last Frontier” is one of two U.S. states Gordon has never
visited and a fitting backdrop for this historic, record-breaking
achievement. Video footage of Gordon’s milestone moment can be viewed
later this week at 3MillionReasons.com.
“It’s not about getting to the three million miles; it’s about the
trips that got me to the three million miles,” Gordon said. “I never had
a goal to get to one million, to two million. I just enjoyed driving
and experiencing life through my Volvo.”
“We at Volvo applaud Irv and his Volvo. The spirited red P1800
represents an extraordinary demonstration of reliability, durability,
safety and intelligent design that honors all Volvos past and present,”
said John Maloney, president and CEO of Volvo Cars of North America.
“His P1800 is the living embodiment that Volvos are designed around
you.”
As a celebration of Gordon’s achievement, Volvo Cars of North America
(VCNA) launched a special campaign called “3 Million Reasons to
Believe,” that invites people around the world to visit 3MillionReasons.com to follow Irv’s remarkable journey, explore his favorite road trips and share their own reason to believe.
Irv drives his Volvo P1800 next to the iconic Alaska Railroad train along the Seward Hwy.
“The best way to explore America is by car,” Gordon added. “I
challenge everyone to go out and see as much as possible. Find your own
journey and reason to believe because you only have one life to live. No
matter how many roads I’ve been on, there’s always one I haven’t taken.
That’s what makes it exciting.”
“I bought my Volvo P1800 on a Friday and immediately fell in love,”
Gordon recalled. “I couldn’t stop driving the car. It was a holiday
weekend, and I brought the car back to the dealership the following
Monday for its 1,500-mile service.”
With a 125-mile round-trip daily commute, a fanatical dedication to
vehicle maintenance and a passion for driving, Gordon logged 500,000
miles in 10 years. In 1987, he celebrated his one-millionth mile driving
a loop around the Tavern on the Green in Central Park. In 1998 with
1.69 million miles, Gordon made the Guinness Book of World Records
for most miles driven by a single owner in a non-commercial vehicle. In
2002, he drove the car’s two-millionth mile down Times Square to
international media attention. Since then, Gordon has broken is record
every time he drives his celebrated car.
As Gordon rolls to his three-millionth mile, he notes, “I’m realizing
this will be a record that no one will surpass and I’ve been feeling
especially sentimental with these last few drives in beautiful Alaska.
I’ve enjoyed the expansive landscape, a drive through the long tunnel to
Prince William Sound/Whittier and a visit to the Alaska Wildlife
Conservation Center. The folks at Continental Volvo in Anchorage were
kind enough to throw me a wonderful reception on Saturday.”
“Everyone asks, what’s next? Well, I’ll keep driving my Volvo P1800
to auto shows and taking trips across the country. Not much will change.
But whether I drive four million miles is more up to me than it is the
car. The car may be able to take it, but I’m not so sure about me.”
A HUGE Thank you to Volvo Cars North America that launched a campaign of unseen proportion to promote the value of Irv's story with his 1800S with the culmination point in Alaska in September passing the 3mln miles mark, Press releases, TV Campaign, wonderful videos, what a pleasure for any passionate !
and make sure to drop on the site your own reason to believe
Long Island Man’s Volvo Will Reach Three Million Miles in 2013
Irv Gordon, Record-Breaking Driver of a 1966 Volvo P1800, Aims to Reach Ultimate Driving Milestone
Visit www.3MillionReasons.com to Submit Your Reason to Believe
ROCKLEIGH, NJ (June 18, 2013) — In a journey that has lasted nearly half a century, spanned the globe and elicited awe from generations of car lovers, Long Island’s Irv Gordon has a phenomenal achievement in his sight: driving 3,000,000 miles in the same car – a shiny, red 1966 Volvo P1800.
When he drove off the lot in 1966, Gordon began a movement. That movement continues to grow through the collective experience and passion of current Volvo owners. As Gordon approaches the milestone, Volvo Cars of North America (VCNA) is bringing the nation along for the journey with a special campaign in the months ahead. Consumers can visit 3MillionReasons.
com for additional information about Gordon’s story and a map and image gallery from his road trips. Volvo lovers can also submit their own reason to believe.
“It’s not about getting to the three million miles; it’s about the trips that got me to the three million miles,” Gordon said. “I never had a goal to get to one million, to two million. I just enjoyed driving and experiencing life through my Volvo.
“The best way to explore America is by car,” Gordon added. “I challenge everyone to go out and see as much as possible. Find your own journey and reason to believe because you only have one life to live. No matter how many roads I’ve been on, there’s always one I haven’t taken. That’s what makes it exciting.”
Gordon, a 73-year-old retired science teacher from Patchogue, N.Y., 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.
“I bought my Volvo P1800 on a Friday, and immediately fell in love,” Gordon recalled. “I couldn’t stop driving the car. It was a long holiday weekend, and I brought the car back to the dealership the following Monday for its 1,500-mile service.”
With a 125-mile round-trip daily commute, a fanatical dedication to vehicle maintenance and a passion for driving, Gordon logged 500,000 miles in 10 years.
Besides being a Volvo, one of the main reasons the car has lasted so long is that Gordon has brought his P1800 to the same certified Volvo technician for more than 15 years. Nino Gambino, a technician with an “A” rating at Volvoville in Huntington, N.Y., 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 three million. Irv always says he takes better care of the car than himself! And he’s fun to ride with on trips because you don’t need a map.”
In 1998 with 1.69 million miles, Gordon made the Guinness Book of World Records for most miles driven by a single owner in a non-commercial vehicle. In 2002, he drove the car’s two-millionth mile down Times Square to international media attention. For more information on Gordon’s journey, visit 3millionreasons.com/timeline.
As Gordon points his car to its three-millionth mile, “I’m realizing this will be a record that no one will surpass,” he said. “So, these next few thousands of miles will be special and sentimental for me. I’m looking forward to visiting my favorite 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. Send me an invite and maybe I’ll meet you for a cup of coffee.”
Based on his calculations, Gordon plans to reach three million miles in Alaska this September. America’s last frontier is one of two U.S. states Gordon has never visited and a fitting backdrop for his three million mile moment.
“For every mile Irv has logged in his Volvo, there have been just as many reasons why he’s been able to do it – from his meticulous care, on-schedule oil changes and his safe driving practices – all the way to Volvo’s legendary attention to
engineering,” said John Maloney, president and CEO of Volvo Cars of North America. “A distant predecessor to today’s models, the Volvo P1800 and Irv are the living embodiment that Volvos are enduring and designed around you. We look forward to following him on this journey, and finding ways to bring our customers and car enthusiasts everywhere along for the ride.”
Whaoouu!
Irv,
as discussed while you spent all this time with the google team, this was obviously worth it (easy to say for me considering the huge burden on you :-) ) but the next video really explains what this app is about, or how to surf in 50 years of 1800 Passion ! thanks for the time given for this Irv.
I urge everyone to watch the video of Project Re: Brief and get ready to download and enjoy the app!
you will be able to follow Irv on his miles toward 3 million ! Just incredible!
Few snapshots first
(c) Google Project Re:Brief
(c) Google Project Re:Brief
The Concept (c) Google Project Re:Brief
“This year, Internet advertising turns 18-years-old. And yet despite almost two decades of innovation online, digital ads are still being used to simply inform more than they’re being used to connect, engage and entertain. So we designed this experiment to re-imagine what advertising can be and push the boundaries of how creative ideas and our technology can work hand in hand.”
Irv's ad concept
New York resident Irv Gordon is an ordinary Volvo driver with an extraordinary car. He has driven his 1966 Volvo P1800s a world-record 2.9 million miles. Not only can we tell Irv’s story through a series of films, with Google+ and Google Maps we can allow the viewer to become a part of his unique journey in real-time as he counts down to the 3-million-mile mark.
How the Ad works
(c) Google Project Re:Brief
The video presentation of the Ad
The Making of
See how Amil Gargano, original Art Director of Volvo's "Drive it like you hate it" came out of retirement to once again re-imagine his iconic ad in a film presented by Google and directed by Doug Pray.
Enjoy a glimpse of the app by clicking on the "New Ads" icon on the left of this link you will have the choice of experiencing the app/ad depending on your profile select one at the lower right section ( Outdoorsy, Travelers, Fashionistas, Foodies)
I really send a warm Thank You! in the name of the P1800 Enthusiast community to Irv, Amil Gargano & the creative teams of VCNA & Google for reinstating the missing link between cars generation and as Linda says in the video "loaded with humanity" !
In September, Irv will travel to Australia to celebrate the car's golden anniversary. Irv has also restated his goal to hit three million miles.
“In honor of the P1800's 50th anniversary, I'd like to reaffirm my goal of reaching three million miles within the next two years,” said Gordon. “Recently my P1800 has been through some terrible weather, and never complained once. What a great automobile! Hitting 2.9 million miles is a true testament to Volvo and those who designed it.”
An right this recent terrible weather was when Irv came back from the Volvo Meet in Gateway Colorado museum (owned by Discovery Channel founder) in middle of nowhere, he had to face crazy storm and even stay up all night since he did not find in hurry an hotel with closed parking for the Milnmlr !
Timeless 50-Year-Old
The Volvo P1800, this alert 50-year-old, was never intended to be a mass-produced car. It was and still is a niche product, the top of the model range, yet at the same time viable enough to be within the reach of ordinary people who wanted a car that looked like a Ferrari but cost and functioned like a Volvo: pleasant, reliable and economical. It appealed to people even before it arrived in the showrooms in 1961 and its design has been shown to stand the test of time: it is timeless, classic and sporty in a well-balanced way.
P1800 owners owe a debt of gratitude to Gunnar Engellau and Helmer Petterson who pushed for Volvo to build the car, to Pelle Petterson who designed it, to Volvo who kept the model going in good times and bad over a period of 12 years.
The 23rd TechnoClassica in Essen turned out to be a bigger success than ever, not least for Volvo Cars Heritage. During four days, 178.300 visitors admired thousands and thousands of classic vehicles in the worlwide biggest Classic Car show. The VCH stand with its 50th anniversary celebration of the production of the Volvo P1800 was a success with people discussing and asking for autographs designer Pelle Petterson and million-miler Irv Gordon.
Claes Rydholm head of Volvo Cars heritage made again this year a tremendous effect by organizing with his team a great stand including a desk looking very much like one of 1961 where Pelle Petterson and may be Helmer Petterson and Gunnar Engellau may have discussed the release of the P1800 first delivered to the public in 1961. VCH won again this year (after one in 2010 for Carioca) an award.
letter from Helmer Petterson to Frua sitting on the desk
The stand featured the X1 frua prototype but also beautiful production cars of each generation of 1800.
I was really interested by the plaster models of the P1800 that were on display and found back after several epic stories that Claes depicted to me (off the records).
It was a great opportunity again for discussion, have diner with, take pictures, with our favorite figures Pelle & Irv. A great time also was the page by page reading together with Pelle of the new reference book for the P1800 put together under lead of Kenneth Collander with support of VCH and others : "P1800 from Idea to prototype to production". I truly URGE any enthusiast to order the book (and I do not say that because I am in the list of contributors) by following instructions here http://www.volvop1800club.se/club_image/new_book.pdf
you will discover an incredible amount of NEW documents, text, interview and information provided for some by Pelle himself !
Irv on History Channel/Nova January 26, 2011 "Can My Car Live Forever?"
Irv said: I will be on a PBS station that carries NOVA…here in NY it will be channel 13 and channel 47 (History Channel) on my cable system. The broadcast is at 8:00PM…but you will have to check for NOVA on your system. The date is Jan 26. I hope it won’t be anything embarrassing! LOL Irv
This was really a great interview for the tribute of the P1800 and about the whole concept of taking care of it, thanks again Irv. The Nova crew rode around Long Island with Irv and his Volvo in 2010 for an interview about his car's amazing longevity. Meanwhile, the program description from PBS.org explains that "Neil deGrasse Tyson, Astrophysicist and cosmic fashion icon takes a lighthearted look at whether the tricks that have kept a 1966 Volvo running for 2.7 million miles can also help the human body go the extra mile."
This show is also a great occasion to see Irv's favorite garage and mechanics, including Richie Vermont 35 years service, and the legendary Duane Matejka (Duane is probably the winningest Volvo racer in the USA, as five-time Champion of the Volvo Historic Series) ...
Record-breaking automotive pioneer Irv Gordon turns 70 today. And to celebrate, the driver of the highest mileage vehicle on the road, a 1966 Volvo P1800, he aims to reach the unmatchable record of 3 millions miles sometime in the next three years!
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