TOPEKA, Kan. (NBC NEWS)- The U.S. Department of Transportation reports the average lifespan of a vehicle is twelve years, or about 128,000 miles.

One Topeka man has a driving record that puts that average to shame.

Chet Belisle loves driving his 1983 Lincoln Towncar.

“I like the ride, the style, the weight, I feel safe,” said Belisle.

Chet's been driving coast to coast for 25 years, and his pride and joy has never broken down.

“The Lincoln gets great gas mileage, 22 miles per gallon on the highway, 15 to 16 in town,” said Belisle.

The odometer has rolled over a couple times, but Chet says that's expected when a car hits the 1,300,000 mile mark.

And the secret to the car's longevity lies under the heavy metal hood which Chet says his mechanics are used to lifting.

“3.2 v engine and that thing's got power,” said Belisle.

Chet began logging miles and tracking tune ups the day he drove the car off the lot, it only had 53 miles then..

“This Lincoln can't last too much longer,” said Belisle.

Since then, he's rebuilt the engine and transmission, and made full use of life time warranties on nearly every other part.

For now Chet says he'll stick with his Lincoln until it stops running. Next stop? On to San Antonio.

Chet paid $2,200 for his Lincoln when it was brand new.

Chet says he's tried to sell it to used car dealerships, but no one will buy his Lincoln because it has too many miles and they can't back up the warranty.