Five pointed stars

Cars, girls' names, cocktails and songs.

I have written some cruel and unfair things about Mercedes in past posts so now it is time to make amends as Janis would say. Oh, and that fabulous 300 saloon from a few months back is still for sale and that makes five.

1962 Mercedes-Benz 220 SEC The most beautiful of all Mercedes coupe shapes in my view, here in easy to manage small engine mode. Mercedes had a practice of using the same body for different models with increasing technological complexity being the rule. For: Looks without the terrifying costs. Against: Not a lot to go on in the listing.

1964 Mercedes-Benz 230 SL The first series pagoda had a different character to the later larger engined cars. It was certainly a lively drive and you would imagine that customers appreciated that after the somnambulant 190 SL. This one has a manual gearbox as well. For: More of a sports car than you may think. Against: Has a few tricks in store.

1970 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3 Who says German engineers lack a sense of humour? How they must have laughed when they saw what the V8 from the gargantuan 600 could do in the W-109 shell. It almost stood on its end getting away from the lights and was the ultimate performance saloon of the era.  For: You will laugh too. Against: Let's hope nothing goes wrong with it.

1976 Mercedes-Benz 350 SLC. The stretched four-place SLC has become a bit of an orphan amongst classic Mercedes. Quality and elegance when new has not guaranteed its place amongst the coupes and asking prices are now are all over the shop. The louvred rear quarterlight was a nice touch to diminish the visual length of the cabin and a low milage example at the right price would be a pleasure to own. For: Cor. That looks expensive, guvnor.  Against: Make sure it has been looked after.