1971 Mercedes-Benz 280se 3.5 | London, Surrey

A 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5, the V8 version of the W111 two-door range and its final development. Its fuel-injected 3.5-litre V8 gave 200 bhp, and it was the first post-war Mercedes coupé with an engine larger than three litres. A lower, wider grille marked the last cars and earned the German nickname Flachkühler, meaning flat radiator. This car is finished in Gold with a beige interior, a warm, soft pairing that suits the calm, upright lines of a late-1960s Mercedes. The low grille gives the front a level, composed look, and the 3,500cc V8 sits behind it. Photography and fashion and editorial work make good use of the gold and beige, which reads warmly and gives a stylist a clear period palette. Film and TV productions set around 1970 get a formal, understated Mercedes profile, and events can use it as a dignified arrival. It also serves weddings and personal hires. The car is based in London and Surrey.