1991 Mercedes-Benz 190E | Walsall, West Midlands

The Mercedes-Benz 190E is the compact saloon nicknamed the "Baby Benz", liked for its solid build and clean, upright lines. It brought Mercedes executive style to a smaller package, and it still reads clearly as a car of the early 1990s. This one is finished in maroon with a beige interior, and it is in excellent condition. The deep paint picks up light well, while the pale cabin gives a bright backdrop for interior shots. It has a 2000cc engine and an automatic gearbox, unusual for a car that was often sold with a manual, so the driving stays relaxed through a long shoot day. Its period look suits 1990s film and TV, where it can stand in for city ambition or ordinary family life. Fashion and editorial photographers get a colour and a grille that sit well in frame, and the restrained shape works for adverts and events set in the era. Weddings and personal drives are open to it too. The car is based in Walsall, West Midlands.