(June 15, 2011) ROCKLEIGH, N.J.  — Two automotive celebrities are commemorating milestones in 2011. Recently, Irv Gordon, a retired science teacher from East Patchogue, N.Y., passed 2.9 million miles in his 1966 Volvo P1800. Volvo's legendary P1800 model also is marking its 50th anniversary.

The stunning two-door Volvo P1800, for decades Volvo's most internationally renowned model, reached showrooms in 1961 after four years of careful planning and development and remained in production for the next 12 years.

Gordon is celebrating the Volvo P1800's half-century milestone by reaching 2.9 million miles in his own P1800, and by making several appearances on behalf of Volvo and the P1800. In March, he attended the TechnoClassica show, the world's largest indoor classic car show, in Essen, Germany, and in September, he will travel to Australia to celebrate the car's golden anniversary. Gordon has also restated his goal to hit three million miles.

Irv Gordon and his
1966 Volvo P1800

"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."

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.

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.

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, as well as setting a record no one can beat.

See earlier MotorwayAmerica story on Irv Gordon and his Volvo