Well, it's certainly a slightly more unusual request. Normally, people ask for something reliable with a soft-top that they can use for summer months. Perhaps the first thing to be aware of is that an old car - no matter how good - will require a maintenance budget. Rust can hide everywhere and a car that's laid up for six months is always going take a certain amount of fettling to keep it ticking over ready for summer. As for your choice of cars, many old Mercs lay claim to being their last over-engineered model to leave the factory, but if you look which models are still in use around the world then there's really only one that takes the prize - the Mercedes W123. In total, 2.7m were sold so there's plenty about. They're also gaining popularity in classic circles so you'll be able to find one being sold by a loving owner in good condition. But equally, they still are in everyday use because... well, they just keep going. Make sure you spend time getting to know the range, though - choosing a classic is one of the most enjoyable parts of the process, so get to know those numbers. There is an important point to note, however - by spending money on a workhorse (i.e a non-convertible) you may not see much return from your investment. While two-seater soft-top Mercs like the SL (R107) have seen values soar recently, W123s and other hard-working models are a long way behind.