(November 14, 2011) EAST PATCHOGUE, N.Y. — Irv Gordon, the only person to drive nearly three million miles in the same car — a 1966 Volvo P1800 — congratulated the latest person to reach one million miles in his car: a Maine man who last month turned the million miles in his 1990 Honda Accord.

Gordon, a 71-year-old retired science teacher from Long Island, holds the Guinness Book of World Records recognition for most miles driven by a single owner in a vehicle, and has driven 2.92 million miles in his shiny red Volvo.

Joe LoCicero of Saco, Maine, bought his car in 1996 with 74,000 miles and turned his milestone last month.

"Though I've never met Million Mile Joe, I understand he is a former auto mechanic who is extremely diligent with vehicle maintenance and follows the owner's manual recommendations to the fullest," noted Gordon, who likewise is obsessed with car care and similarly became a part-time mechanic after retiring from teaching.

"While creating vehicles that can last millions of miles is a testament to the ingenuity of Volvo and Honda's engineers, it always comes down to how the owner treats his or her car. Joe, like me, always changes the oil on time and practices preventative care vigilantly."

Joe LoCicero with his
1990 Honda Accord

"In our increasingly throwaway society, it's delightful to learn of a fellow car fan who takes impressive care of his automobile," Gordon added. "I hope to meet Joe soon and swap tips and tales. We could meet in Worcester, Mass., about halfway in between us; I know of a good coffee shop or two."

Gordon purchased his Volvo in June 1966 and immediately fell in love, driving 1,500 miles in the first 48 hours. 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.

Irv Gordon and his Volvo

In 1998 with 1.69 million miles, he 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. He expects to turn three million miles in 2013.

Today, Gordon breaks his own record every time he drives, whether it's to Cincinnati for coffee, Rolla, Mo., for lunch or Green River, Wyo., for dinner. Gordon — like any mighty record-holder at the top of his game — is mindful of his legacy.

"I'm not sure if Million Mile Joe will ever break my record, though it took the car 21 years to reach the first million — exactly the same time it took me," Gordon said. "I'm sure Hank Aaron didn't blanche when Barry Bonds was a third of the way into breaking his home run record. But, unlike Hammerin' Hank, I don't plan on retiring anytime soon."