Volvo owner about to hit 3 million miles

NEW YORK, Sept. 5 (UPI) -- The Volvo automobile is known for its safety, but it could become known for endurance: A 1966 model is closing in on 3 million miles, the New York owner says.

Retired Long Island schoolteacher Irv Gordon hopes to get another 200,000 miles out of the car he purchased for nearly a year's salary, he told The Detroit News.

Now 70, Gordon said he hopes to hit 3 million miles by the time he's 73.

"Got just over 2.8 million miles," he told the newspaper. "We've slowed down a little -- rather than over 100,000 miles a year, we're averaging about 80,000."

The cherry-red Volvo P1800 has few conveniences people expect today, but it does have 460 air-conditioning, he said: "460 air conditioning -- four windows down, 60 miles an hour."

There's no secret to making a car last, Gordon said. "Read the owner's manual, and do what it says. It's written by people who know what they are talking about."

He purchased the car new for $4,150, but never planned on driving it so long, the newspaper said.

"I never set out to drive millions of miles," he said, "but I loved the car -- I still do -- and I love driving it. Why would I want to get rid of it?"