Well if it is pretence, I doubt he could keep it up for long (the pretence I mean).
Consider if you will, a classic car that you might own. It may have seen a few years and run a few miles, it may have some rust and dents and a few scratches here and there, but you love it. You cherish it, look after it, stare at it adoringly and smile when the sun catches its features and realise what a lucky person you are to have that little treasure. And it's all yours.
I am not saying that you are an old banger or anything, but real men appreciate the finer things in life, and often these are the women they love in all their historic glory, without the need for a modern sporty little number just for weekends. You can get just as much pleasure and enjoyment out of an old classic and often this is all we need.
I suspect he just likes it because it is you.