THREE years ago Miles Rowland’s dream came true when he bought a1982 classic car - a Princess 2, 1.7 HL.

He joined the Tame Valley Vintage and Classic Car Club and drove it, unwashed, to the July meeting, deciding to have a drink in the clubhouse.

He said: “I had forgotten they had invited six members of the public to judge the cars.

that day.

“I couldn’t believe it when she won a medallion for best post 70s saloon and sports car and was even more surprised when she got the shield for best car in the show.

“I think she won the awards because other cars in the show had been restored. This is an honest, original vehicle.

“She’s a lucky survivor who gets a lot of attention. When I stop to fill up, people come to chat and take photographs."

The car has cutting edge features.

“She has front wheel drive and cage and crumple zones for passenger safety.”

Miles, 54, is proud that the bonnet contains a signature by Harris Mann, the original designer, who is now 78-years old.

Miles had a big problem with the carburettor. “It was idling on full speed and I spent a lot of time trying to fix it. Then I discovered the carburettor throttle plates had been fitted the wrong way round.

"The car now runs beautifully.”

In 2015 he drove it to the Cowley Factory in Oxford for the 40th anniversary.

Miles has since bought an additional car – a 1984 Austin Ambassador which shares many of the same features as the Princess but was only manufactured for two years.

On August 19, he and a friend took both cars to the Tatton Classic Car Show - and the Ambassador won third place in the highly commended section.

“I was chuffed”, said Miles.