HUMPHREY’S SECRET MISSION
When Phil Homer was contacted recently by Steven Moore from Harpenden he was able to set the ball rolling for a wonderful birthday surprise.
Last summer, Steven attended the annual ‘Classics on the Common’ event at Harpenden with his father Peter, who was delighted to find David Shadbolt’s Phase 1 Vanguard on display. Peter had owned a 1950 model between 1954 and 1967, and his family, very young at the time of its sad demise, could only just about remember it.
Peter casually admiring David Shadbolt's Vanguard at a show last year, which is similar to one he owned as a family car back in the 50s.
With Peter’s 90th birthday due on 4th March 2023, Phil was able to put Steve in touch with David and a secret plan was hatched.
So when three generations of the family gathered at Bayford, near Hertford, for the big birthday celebrations, the biggest surprise of all was the arrival of David with Humph, the Vanguard. Peter was overwhelmed to say the least and was delighted to be able to sit in the driving seat once more and recall his own many happy years of Vanguard ownership.
An engineer by trade, he recounted numerous tales of work he’d done on the car over the years. After photographs had been taken Peter climbed into the passenger seat and, with his children once more in the back, the party were treated to a ride out through Broxbourne, Hoddesdon and Hertford.
The family has reported that it absolutely made his day and we are so glad that we were able to help wish a very fine gentleman the happiest and most memorable 90th birthday.
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Phil Homer
Historian
Standard Motor Club
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