In my estimation, I’ve driven more behind the wheel of a Volvo than any other marque—anyone who’s driven one can surely attest to how easily they soak up the miles. But I haven’t driven a single Volvo enough to earn one of the company’s coveted High Mileage Club emblems, which used to reward drivers on, rightfully, how far they’d driven in a Volvo. Why doesn’t every car company have emblems like this?
Clever ways of promoting the use of motor vehicles isn’t a new scheme in any way, it’s why a certain tire manufacturer also got into the business of rating restaurants and writing road guidebooks. Since vehicles are made to be driven, hitting a mileage milestone is surely a bigger achievement than knowing your paint is perfect.
Other automakers have offered similar programs, but none seem to have the staying power of Volvo’s—perhaps that’s why the company seems happy to issue a special grille badge every time Irv Gordon, driver of a 1966 Volvo P1800 Coupé, hits a new milestone (which is now at well over 3 million miles).
I should mention that the original Volvo High Mileage Club is no more. Though it was folded, its more than 38,000 members became eligible for what the automaker now calls the Volvo Heritage Club, which rewards people for mileage and/or the total number of years they’ve owned Volvos. (Here’s the form to submit.)
Since I still have my first car (with ownership at more than 14 years strong), perhaps it’s time to finally write in and get a badge…
Source: Irv Gordon, Ebay
