This lovely Mercedes-Benz 250CE was first registered on 1st June 1972 and recommissioned in early 2014.

A solid, genuine UK car, its mileage of 116,149 miles is backed up by an MOT history that stretches back to 1988, so is likely to be correct.

Recently and expensively mechanically fettled, including a complete gearbox rebuild at a cost of £3,500, it's being offered in auction with no reserve.

The elegant white bodywork might sport simple lines but the fact that there is so little in terms of adornment mean that there is simply no place for shoddy panel alignment, rust, or neglect to hide.

Which is fine, because this is a remarkably straight example; with ripple-free flanks, great shutlines, and a decent finish to the white paintwork, this is a car that wears its years lightly.

The chromework is good – just take a look at how neatly the lateral chrome trim lines up - as are the light lenses, glass, and badges.

It’s remarkably well-preserved and looking wonderfully period thanks ...