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In Spain, a Mercedes-Benz 240D continues to serve as a taxi despite its odometer reading surpassing 7 million kilometers.
According to Tenerife News, the car has been in service since March 1988 on the small island of Gran Canaria, part of the Canary Islands, off the west coast of Africa.
The specific model mentioned is the 1986 240D “Lang,” a limousine variant of the Mercedes-Benz W123. With a length of 5,330 mm and a wheelbase of 3,400 mm, this Mercedes can accommodate a total of seven people, including the driver.
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The Mercedes-Benz 240D’s superior size compared to the standard W123. Image: Mercedes. |
In its original state, the car was equipped with a 2.4L four-cylinder diesel engine producing a maximum of 71 horsepower and 137 Nm of torque, paired with a five-speed manual transmission.
According to Tenerife News, the car has been used for taxi services continuously, running three 8-hour shifts per day almost consistently since 1988. With a daily travel distance of about 700 kilometers, Tenerife News reports that the Mercedes has clocked over 7 million kilometers.
The intense usage pattern has resulted in the need for an oil change every week, totaling 52 oil changes per year. Additionally, the engine has to be inspected after every million kilometers of operation. In fact, at this point, the owner has had to replace the entire engine of the Mercedes taxi.
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The Mercedes-Benz 240D still in use as a taxi despite its odometer surpassing 7 million kilometers. Image: Escuderia. |
In 2008, Mr. Dominguito, the original owner of the car, decided to hand over the Mercedes-Benz 240D to his son. The taxi, which had clocked about 3.7 million kilometers at the time, underwent refurbishment, including the driver’s seat, steering wheel, and passenger seats.
The body of the car was also reinforced to withstand the continuous pressure from the high usage rate. The braking system was upgraded with parts from a newer Mercedes model, and the owner had a spare engine ready for replacement when needed.
Currently, Mr. Irv Gordon and his Volvo P1800 hold the record for the longest distance driven by a single person in a car worldwide.
According to the Guinness World Records website, Mr. Irv Gordon’s total distance traveled with the P1800 is over 3 million miles, equivalent to approximately 4.89 million kilometers, as recognized in May 2014.
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When the P1800’s odometer reached one million miles (approximately 1.6 million kilometers), Volvo presented Mr. Irv Gordon with a 780 coupe. Later, when he completed three million miles (around 4.8 million kilometers) in the P1800, the Swedish carmaker gifted him an XC60.
Mr. Irv Gordon passed away in November 2018. At that time, the total distance recorded on his Volvo P1800 was over 3.26 million miles, equivalent to approximately 5.25 million kilometers.
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The Mercedes-Benz 240D, a stalwart of the taxi industry, has clocked an impressive over 7 million kilometers on the odometer. This veteran vehicle first hit the roads as a taxi in 1988 and has since become a legendary icon, renowned for its durability and longevity. With a rich history spanning over three decades, this trusty taxi has witnessed the evolution of cities and the transformation of the automotive industry.
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