Have you ever heard the saying, “If you take care of things, they last”? Well, not many of us actually follow it. However, there are a few individuals who truly embody this principle, demonstrating that with proper care, things can indeed last a lifetime. One such person is Graeme Hebley, a 72-year-old resident of New Zealand. Recently, it was revealed that he has been driving a 1993 Toyota Corolla station wagon, accumulating a mind-boggling mileage of 2 million kilometers. The New Zealand Herald recently published an article about this remarkable story, and Hebley shared his journey with his trusty Corolla.
According to the Herald, Mr. Hebley has been working as a contractor for newspaper delivery services since the 1960s. When he purchased the vehicle in 2000, it had only 80,000 kilometers on the odometer. The dedicated gentleman shared that he makes the Wellington to New Plymouth round trip six days a week, covering a distance of approximately 218 miles (351 kilometers). As a result of this extensive driving, he needs to take his Corolla for servicing every two weeks. For the past 22 years, the Corolla, with its original engine and transmission, has been receiving maintenance at Guthrie’s Auto Care in Whanganui, as reported by the New Zealand Herald.
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While speaking to a media publication, Mr Hebley stated, “I broke down one morning in one of my vans. I rang John Sherman from Guthrie’s and he came out and helped me. I have been getting all of my servicing done here since. It was used to deliver chippies in Tokyo before I got it.”
According to Mr. Sherman, the technician responsible for the routine maintenance of Mr. Hebley’s vehicle, it is Mr. Hebley’s careful maintenance that has allowed the car to reach this remarkable milestone. Prior to this Corolla, the highest mileage Mr. Sherman had witnessed on a vehicle was around 700,000. He further disclosed that the cambelt has been replaced 20 times, and the wheel bearings are the only significant parts that have been changed during the car’s two-decade journey. The outlet also reported that aside from these components, the vehicle remains in its original condition.
In summarizing his experience with his cherished automobile, Mr. Hebley expressed that he has yet to grow tired of his Corolla. He continues to utilize it, and he even believes that “The car might outlast me at this point.”
In a similar tale, an owner of a 1991 Volvo sedan from the USA has also reported surpassing the impressive milestone of 1 million kilometers on his vehicle. In recognition of his remarkable achievement, the Volvo dealership and Volvo Cars USA presented Jim O’Shea, the owner of the Volvo, with a 2022 model Volvo S60 luxury sedan as a gesture of appreciation. Jim was gifted the Volvo S60 and will have the privilege of driving it for free for two years as part of the Volvo all-inclusive auto membership. This membership package includes insurance, maintenance, protection against excessive wear, and coverage for tires and wheels. Jim, truly amazed by the brand’s overall reliability, is enthusiastic about adding another 1 million miles to his new Volvo.
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