1985 Mercedes-Benz 230CE | London, Essex

A 1985 Mercedes-Benz 230CE, the two-door coupé in the W123 range. The family is known for solid build and long service lives, and the coupé adds a shorter, sleeker body with no central pillar, so the side windows open into one clean line. This car is red with a cream interior, a warm pairing that reads well against brick, stone or a plain studio wall. The cabin seats four behind two doors, and its rectangular headlamps and upright nose place it firmly in the early 1980s. The open side profile lets a camera see straight into the cream cabin, which helps photography, fashion and editorial work. The red paint and period lines suit 1980s-set film and TV, music videos and adverts, and it makes a smart arrival at events. It also suits a wedding or a special day out. The car is based in London, Essex.