I've been going up and down to Cornwall a fair bit over the last few months, since having the Merc I've been a little worried that the VIS wouldn't cut it anymore. The Merc has very similar performance figures (MPH/HP etc) and being 20yrs newer with a quarter of the mileage, I feared the VIS might be out gunned by this new usurper, plus the fact I haven't been going far in the coop recently, there was a doubt and not a little jeopardy.
I needn't have worried! It never missed a beat and I would say out performed it's younger rival admirally. I had an interesting moment when a large Vauxhall aggresively cut me up at some traffic lights, he cut across from the outside lane at the lights which went down to two lanes fairly quickly (maybe he feared he wouldn't get back in if I chose to give it some welly). He sat in front revving for a drag start, I must admit it sounded good, a V6 at least possibly V8 if there is such thing, he roared anyway, I just followed not expecting to see it again but after a mile or so I caught it up, When I came up behind he just pulled over and let me through, given our previous encounter I fully expected some acceleration and undertaking but no he just rolled over and soon disappeared from the rear view mirror.
The above was the only time the coop was headed in the whole trip, it's great to have such a useable classic that can more than keep pace with modern cars even those with similar performance figures!