WHEN Bob Vince bought his car in 1978, it was six years old with just 50,000 miles on the clock.

WHEN Bob Vince bought his car in 1978, it was six years old with just 50,000 miles on the clock.

Now, thirty years later the milometer reads a staggering 286,404 miles, the equivalent of driving to the moon and a little bit further in his “pride and joy” a Triumph Stag.

The 67-year-old from Earl Stonham, near Stowmarket, now uses his classic car as his second vehicle taking it out for summer trips and special occasions.

“I can't claim my car is particularly different from other Triumph Stags but for many years I had my eye on buying one and so when I was finally able to get one it became a real hobby,” he said. “It is so special to me because of the length of time I have had it and the journeys I have made in it over the years.

“It is my second car now so it's mainly used in the summer. It was my working car for many years, when I used to commute from Stonham to work in Martlesham, a 50 mile round trip, six days a week.

“It is very unusual for them to do so many miles, because most people do use them as second cars.”

With a published top speed of 180 miles-per-hour, Mr Vince, one of the founding members of the Suffolk branch of the Stag Owners Club, said it still runs well despite its age.

He added: “It's not a pristine car; it's an honest car in need of a bit of work, a general tidy up. I re-built it in 1984, but the engine is still the original one. After 24 years it does need a bit of a touch up.

“It has probably run for so long because of the love and attention, I have looked after it.

“Of course I have never tested the top speed, well not on the road anyway, I may have tried it on an airfield once or twice.”