Sunday, August 29

How Old is YOUR Car?

Mr. Allen Swift ( Springfield , MA.) received this 1928 Rolls-Royce Picadilly P1 Roadster from his father, brand new - as a graduation gift in 1928. He drove it up until his death last year.....at the age of 102 !!!

He was the oldest living owner of a car bought when new. Just thought you'd like to see it. He had it donated to a Springfield museum after his death.

It has 170,000 miles on it, still runs like a Swiss watch, dead silent at any speed and is in perfect cosmetic condition. (82 years) ...That's approximately 2000 miles per year.....

15 comments:

carmilevy said...

Craftsmanship once meant something. Part of me feels somewhat ripped off that I never lived in an era when this was really the case.

Pity.

(But, gawd, what a stunning piece of rolling art/engineering!)

Travelin'Oma said...

We have a 1995 Suburu, 220,000 miles, which runs very well if you don't mind random rumbles once in a while. We are keeping it until it's old enough to be worth something. (It's not nearly as cute the Rolls.)

joared said...

They don't make 'em like they used to!

Arkansas Patti said...

That is an awesome looking car. And I thought I kept cars a long time. I do get attached though and always hope they go to a good home when I turn them in, usually around 9 years.

Evil Twin's Wife said...

Wow! What a beautiful car. I can't imagine any modern day cars lasting 82 years - or really any longer than maybe 15.

Pat said...

In my former life we had some pretty ancient jalopies but nothing to compare to that work of art.

srp said...

Probably one of the few cars on earth that has actually appreciated in value. Of course my Odyssey is well on its way.... 86,000 miles on it and it is a ripe old age of 10 years. I think it has another ten years in it at least!

donna said...

If I had gotten a Rolls as a graduation gift, I'm pretty sure I would still have it too. ;^)

A lot easier to take great care of things and live a long life when you have that kind of money...

Linda said...

Wow, that's really something. Thanks for sharing.

Kay Dennison said...

Wow!!!! Awesome!!!!! And I call my Miss Ruby a little old lady 'cause she's 10 years old!

tiff said...

Tinkerbell is 6 years old and has 154K miles on her. Aside from the occasional major reno work that needs to be done on a car with that many miles on it, she's purring right along. I'll keep that car until all my other debt is paid off, TYVM. :)

Bit still - a nice Rolls would make the waiting that much easier to bear.

Scarlet said...

That's AMAZING!
They don't make them like that anymore!
That's a great example of how true craftsmanship endures, and of dedication to one's vehicle.
I bet none looks after their Volvo like that!!!
:o)

Beverly said...

Now he knew how to care for a car!

Grannymar said...

Cool! I would love a drive in that lady!

I bet it was dried off, if not washed and polished before being returned to the garage after every outing.

Carver said...

What a great shot and story. That's a beautiful old car.