1966 Volvo has driven nearly THREE MILLION MILES

Volvos have a reputation for being solid and reliable, but this really is taking things to a new lengths.

Retired schoolteacher Irvin Gordon is close to breaking the three million mile-barrier in a coupe he bought for $4,150 (£2,650) in 1966.

And despite driving the equivalent of 120 times around the globe, he insists it has never broken down.

Although to keep it such good order, it has needed 857 oil changes, 30 drive belts, 150 points and spark plugs - and guzzled 120 bottles of transmission fluid.

A lot around the clock: Retired teacher Irvin Gordon is his Volvo coupe which he has driven nearly three million miles since he bought it in 1966

Reliable: Despite driving the equivalent of 120 times around the globe, Mr Gordon insists it's never broken down

Mr Gordon, 72, from Long Island, New York, has held the Guinness World Records mark for High Mileage Vehicle since 2002 and was the first person to hold that record.

He is now just 6,000 miles shy of reaching his next milestone.

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He bought his beloved car on June 30, 1966, for $4,150 at the age of 25.

He originally wanted the coupe Volvo with air conditioning, but it was too expensive, but he paid extra to have an AM/FM radio.

His red, two-door car has just enough room for him and his essentials.

All the mod cons: Mr Gordon originally wanted the Volvo to have air conditioning, but it was too expensive. However, he did pay extra to have an AM/FM radio

High maintenance: The Volvo has needed 857 oil changes, 30 drive belts, 150 points and spark plugs - and guzzled 120 bottles of transmission fluid

His front bumper is filled with pins of his mileage achievements. Even his license plate says 'MILNMILER.' And his trunk overflows with the many car parts he thinks he might need when on the road.

Mr Gordon has been taking road trips since he was a kid and continued through his adult years.

He says he would just tell his family to pack their things and hit the road. Gordon's two daughters went on his road trips until they outgrew the tiny red car.

Now divorced, Gordon takes road trips alone.

Proud: The car on display at Ray Tanner Motors in Phoenix, Arizona (left), while Mr Gordon poses with it (right) at Jones Beach in New York City

Record breaker: Mr Gordon holds the certificate of authentication presented by Guinness in 2009 when his 1966 Volvo P1800S Volvo passed 2,721,000 miles at Oak Beach, Long Island, New York City

It took him 21 years to reach the first million miles and 15 more years to reach 2 million. Mr Gordon averages 85,000 to 100,000 miles per year.

Most of his trips are for auto shows, but he also takes trips across the country just for a good cup of coffee.

Speaking last year, he said: 'I have had coffee in every state,' Gordon said. 'I am my own travel channel.'

The avid driver believes in taking care of his car, and he doesn't let anyone else drive it.

'That's why I bought my girls their own cars,' he said.

Jordan Weine is a mechanic at Bay Diagnostic, an auto shop based in Brooklyn and a Volvo expert.

Extraordinary: Irv Gordon shows a recent service statement for his Volvo P1800, proving that he is close to passing three million miles on the Volvo

Proud: Irv Gordon's Volvo P1800 displays the license plate 'MILNMILR', a testament to his achievement

Proof: A two million mile badge adorns Irv Gordon's Volvo P1800 in Babylon, N.Y. on Monday, July 2, 2012

He says because Gordon takes care of his car, he is able to get high mileage without much change to the car's original mechanics.

The car still has the original engine, though it was rebuilt twice in the car's lifetime.

'How high does a redwood grow? If it is not messed with, it will grow,' said Weine, who has not worked on Gordon's car. 'And there are very few redwood trees and the same goes with this. There are very few people that can achieve 3 million miles.'

It is clear that Gordon loves his car and he can't imagine getting rid of it. 'Why would I want to get rid of it?' he asked. 'Kind of like a good woman.'

Gordon's car has brought him fame.

Interior: A miniature car rests on the dashboard of Irv Gordon's Volvo P1800 in Babylon, N.Y., Monday, July 2, 2012

Maintenance: The miles have taken a toll on the car. Recently, some black tar got into the car's carburetor. He has to get that fixed before he can hit the road again

Joe Brusack, a mechanic who worked on his car when it was on its millionth mile more than 20 years ago, said it's come a long way. 'I think it was just amazing that he got this far,' he said.

Mr Gordon himself is surprised every time he gets into his car and edges closer to his 3 million mile goal. But the miles have taken a toll on the car.

Recently, some black tar got into the car's carburetor. He has to get that fixed before he can hit the road again.

Volvo has sent Mr Gordon to trips around the country and the world to represent Volvo in auto shows.

'I don't think (just) any car could do it,' said John Maloney, president and CEO of Volvo Cars of North America. 'It is a combination of a car beloved by his owner that has gotten Irv to this mileage.'

Mr Gordon thinks that his Volvo will last way longer than 3 million miles.

'I have a feeling I'll be dead long before the car.'