A couple of years ago, when I were a student, the guy in the apartment next to me had the exact same bike. He was not in vintage bikes at all, but he simply didn't saw the point of 'upgrading' to a modernish bike. I very wel remember his rant when he found out shops are no longer stocking proper shoes for use with toe clips.
I regularly ride on a decade younger GentsRacer. It is the same concept (comfort racer), but different execution (carbon bonded to al lugs)