These seminal cars hail from an era when the Meister Technikers of Stuttgart were building cars up to a standard, not down to a price, and everything that rolled off the production line was splendidly over-engineered and vault-like in the solidity of its construction.

This car is no exception.

But it has another very attractive element to bring to the party.

It was exported new to Japan, where it remained until 10th October 2022, at which point it set sail for the UK.

We mention its Japanese provenance because, well, it really matters.

It may be something of a cliché to talk about the roll of ‘honour’ in Japanese society and culture, but it’s no exaggeration to say that this tradition is alive and well in the Japanese motor trade, where there is no place for Trotter-san or Daley-san.

People really look after their cars properly in Japan, and all the more so if the cars in question are expensive, prestigious and foreign.

This is a world in which mechanics are assiduously diligent...