1968 Mercedes-Benz W111 coupe 280SE | Bretby, Derbyshire

A 1968 Mercedes-Benz W111 280SE coupé, the two-door grand tourer known for its pillarless side profile and formal, restrained lines. Where the saloons of the family carry pointed tailfins, the coupé keeps a calm, clean rear. Under the bonnet is a fuel-injected 2.8-litre six-cylinder engine. This car is finished in black with a beige interior, a sober pairing that photographs cleanly and suits the period. With the windows down there is no central pillar, so the cabin is easy to see into, and it seats four. It is left-hand drive: the driver sits on the kerb side and the front passenger steps out on the road side. Its formal lines suit 1960s-set film and television, advertising and photography, where black paint and a long, uncluttered body sit well against period locations. Fashion and editorial shoots can use the beige cabin as a soft backdrop, and music videos and events gain a smart arrival car. Weddings and milestone days suit it too. It is based in Derby, Derbyshire.