And You Thought Your Vehicle Was Old

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

02 Feb 2008 01:04 PM

I heard about this next guy while listening to the news on my car radio. Who knew that it would give me hope that my vehicle could go another 900,000 miles.

No, that figure doesn't have a few extra zeros. I meant to write each and every one. Because according to a man in Medford, Wisconsin, his pick up truck is about to pass the 1 million mile mark.

Frank Oresnik claims his 1991 Chevrolet Silverado is on the verge of making history, as it is just 1,100 miles away from a million. And once it hits the milestone he says he plans to retire his truck forever.

So, how in the world does one get a vehicle to last 1 million miles? Oresnik credits proper maintenance and a good measure of luck. The northern Wisconsin resident says he has taken his truck in for more than 300 oil changes (he goes in every 3,000 miles) since he took ownership of the vehicle in June 1996. The truck has also had four radiators, three gas tanks, five transmissions and six water pumps, but the engine has never been overhauled, according to Oresnik.

I should note that when Oresnik bought the truck 12 years ago it had 41,000 miles on it. He accrued the 950,000 plus subsequent miles using it to deliver seafood in three states, a job Oresnik says added about 85,000 miles a year.

Meanwhile, in Salem, Oregon, 13-year-old Cody Young barely put 100 miles on his BMX bike before it was taken in a bizarre turn of events.

Talk about being in the wrong place at the wrong time...

According to the local paper, the teen parked his bike at a Goodwill store, where the rule is that anything on the floor goes. Since Young didn't have a lock for his bike he parked it inside the store as he had done on prior occasions. Only this time when Young returned to ride it home his black bike was gone. A customer saw it and bought the bike on the spot.

Luckily, this story does have a happy ending. After Young's sad tale was broadcast around the state the teen got his bike back. The buyer reportedly saw a newspaper story about the mix-up and called to make things right.

In the end the buyer, who bought the bike for just $6.99, returned it and was given a $100 gift certificate from Goodwill for coming forth.

Related Articles:

Here Comes the Microcar

Are You Ready for Cars That Drive Themselves?

Bumper Stickers and Personalized License Plates--Crack Ups and Controversies

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

View Full Profile | More from this Blogger