Summary:
1963 Plymouth Fury – 1.6 Million Miles
The highest-mileage muscle car on record is a 1963 Plymouth Fury, driven by Canadian taxi driver Joseph Vaillancourt. He accumulated 1,621,591 miles before an accident in 1999 ended its career. Known as “Joe Le Taxi,” he meticulously maintained the car, washing it daily and keeping spare parts on hand. Over the years, he rebuilt the engine four times and changed the oil weekly. Despite the heavy use, the car’s TorqueFlite transmission was only opened once.
Vaillancourt’s dedication earned him a Chrysler-sponsored replacement, and the car was later restored and displayed in a museum. Although the museum has since closed, efforts are underway to preserve the Fury.
1968 Chevrolet Impala SS – 760,000 Miles
Another high-mileage muscle car is a 1968 Chevrolet Impala SS, which racked up 760,000 miles in just 11 years. The owner, George, purchased it new and drove it extensively before retiring it from daily use in 1979. The Impala retains its original 427-cubic-inch V8 engine, though it has been rebuilt twice. George has made minor upgrades but kept the car as original as possible.
Million-Mile Ford Mustangs
The Ford Mustang has also proven its longevity, with multiple owners surpassing a million miles. Victor Anderson’s 1966 Mustang 289, inherited from his father in 1988, has been driven daily and undergoes an engine overhaul every 250,000 miles. Bob Lucas, who purchased his Mustang in 1965, has similarly driven over a million miles without any breakdowns, maintaining its original three-speed automatic transmission.
These cases highlight how proper care and maintenance can keep classic muscle cars running for decades.
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