Sam wrote:
"All miles were personally driven by myself since it has a standard gearbox
of which most women are afraid".

Boy Sam are you in trouble now.  
My wife learned to drive on a Toyota Corolla with 4 speed standard transmission.  (Her dad was recovering from triple by-pass surgery when he was teaching her.) Most of the cars and trucks she has bought or driven since have been standards including our Westfalia.  My daughter learned to drive on a Jetta and is currently driving a Suzuki Swift with a 5 speed.  My daughter occasionally drives the Westfalia.  Having two or more drivers that can drive the camper makes long trips much more pleasant.  (who needs cruise control)  

George,
'85 Westfalia (4 speed manual transmission)