Pride and joy is an unrestored Vintage vignale.

(From Bristol Evening Post)

Having spotted this wonderful looking motor at a recent Classic Car show, I was prepared to forgive its owner for being a former bank manager in order to get the car's interesting history! The beauty in question is a Standard Vanguard Vignale phase III, of 1960 vintage, in completely original condition and, to be fair, its owner, John Worby, left the banking profession long before the current mayhem began.

"It's totally unrestored," John told me. "The total and genuine mileage is 18,000 and when I bought the car from a chap in Kent about 11 years ago, it had just 8,000 on the clock."

Certainly the car looks resplendent in shiny black with acres of chrome trim. Apparently, John has had a life-long affair with the Standard badge, and previously owned a 1948 'Flying Standard', but decided there was too much work involved in restoring it, so it eventually went to a museum in Ireland.

The Vignale is a much better prospect due to its superb condition and has been Christened 'Vera' by John, after becoming a much-loved member of the family.

As well as the Cotswold Classic Car Club, John, who lives in the Ledbury area, is a member of the Standard Motor Club and this year the SMC will hold its Golden Anniversary Standard International Rally at the Royal Agricultural College, in Cirencester, from June 26-28.

Standards from all over the country will be in attendance and they will participate in a road run on Saturday June 27, but the public are welcome to visit ...