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A Brazilian professor drove more than 1 million km in a 1990 Ford Verona, documenting every detail. The feat even impressed Ford, which recognized the achievement. The secret? Rigorous maintenance and planning!
Is it possible for a car manufactured in 1990 to travel more than 1 million kilometers without running out of steam? A Brazilian engineer proved that it does!
The incredible journey of Creso Peixoto and his Ford Verona GLX 1.8 not only tested the limits of a vehicle's durability, it also shocked Ford, which recognized the feat as a demonstration of automotive resilience.
What he learned over 27 years could transform the way we think about car maintenance and longevity.
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The story behind the challenge
Creso acquired the Verona in 1992, with only 18 thousand kilometers on the clock, and decided that it would not be just another car in his garage.
The audacious goal was to drive 1 million kilometers with the vehicle, documenting every detail of the experience.
The Verona, which has already covered 1.077.948 km, is now retired, but not before teaching valuable lessons about durability and value for money.
Throughout this period, the professor recorded all usage data in detailed spreadsheets, from fuel costs to amounts spent on maintenance.
For him, the Verona was more than a means of transport: it became a laboratory on wheels.
Impressive value for money
The numbers are jaw-dropping. The cost per kilometer driven was calculated in just US$ 0,14 (approximately R$ 0,72).
Over the years, Croesus spent about R$ 810 thousand (US$ 140 thousand) with the car, including fuel, maintenance and spare parts.
Among the expenses, the consumption of 100 thousand liters of ethanol, 235 liters of lubricating oil and 46 tire changes.
Even after two engine rebuilds – carried out at 247 thousand km and 531 thousand km – the original engine, the result of the Autolatina partnership between Ford and Volkswagen, remained functional until the end of the journey.
“It was worth it because the goal was to understand whether costs would explode. I discovered that, with good maintenance, this does not happen. The cost curve stabilizes,” explains Creso.
The secret to durability
Careful maintenance and planning were Croesus's main allies. He ran, on average, 4 thousand kilometers per month, with 90% of this journey being on highways, which reduces wear and tear on the vehicle.
The engineer also carried out preventive checks regularly, prioritizing original parts and avoiding savings that could compromise the car's useful life.
For him, the success of the venture is also a lesson on how Well-maintained cars can compete in durability and economy with modern models.
Ford Recognition
In 2019, the story caught the attention of Ford itself. Lyle Watters, then president of Ford South America, invited Creso to the company's headquarters in São Paulo and presented him with a commemorative plaque for the achievement.
For the automaker, the professor's achievement was living proof of the quality of the Verona and the engineering of the time.
Creso says that this recognition was one of the highlights of the journey. “It was exciting to see my work and dedication being valued by those who created the car.”
Comparison with modernity
Currently, the engineer is conducting an experiment with the 20 Hyundai HB2014S from his wife, seeking to compare the maintenance cost and fuel consumption with the Verona data.
The goal now is to achieve 300 thousand kilometers with the HB20S, analyzing how modern technologies impact the cost of ownership.
Preliminary results show that, despite advances in efficiency and safety, the Verona still stands out in terms of cost-benefit, especially at high mileages.
Examples of resistance around the world
Croesus's journey places the Verona among the cars with impressive mileage, but there are other notable examples.
The world record belongs to the 1800 Volvo P1966, which ran more than 5 million kilometers with Irv Gordon, a retired teacher from the United States.
Another highlight is the Mercedes-Benz 200D W115, which traveled 4,6 million kilometers as a taxi in Greece.
Even electric cars are getting into the mix. German Hansjörg von Gemmingen has recorded almost 2 million kilometers driven with their Tesla Model S P85 until April 2024, highlighting the durability of electric-powered vehicles.
The future of Verona
Despite all its success, Creso is considering retiring it altogether. He points out that, although the cost-benefit is clear, the lack of modern safety features, such as airbags and collision protection systems, weighs on his decision.
“Technology advances, and this makes us question how much it is worth insisting. Comfort and safety also need to be taken into account,” he ponders.
Now, he asks himself: is it worth continuing to insist on old cars or is it time to embrace technological innovations?
