Bill Calthrop talks to Ian Harding, a company director with business connections in Swindon, about his new Mercedes-Benz SL500, the latest of several he bought from the town's Mercedes dealers.

How long have you had the car?

Just a week in which it has done all of 90 miles.

What made you choose it?

I've been driving Mercs for more than decade and I love them. In one, an E300 Coupe, I did more than 180,000 miles and with all of them, never a problem. You can't get a better recommendation than that.

My first sports Merc was an SLK with the tin roof that folds away.

I got that about four years ago and at the time put in an order for a larger version whenever that came along. It proved to be the SL500 I've just got. It cost about £72,000 and worth every penny and well worth the wait.

And the wait was a bit longer than anticipated as I managed to break my ankle just a week before the car was due to come in, so had to wait another few weeks before I could collect it. Very frustrating.

Does it have a name?

No it is a name in itself.

What do you like best about it?

It looks stunning and feels so safe and comfortable to drive.

And what does this car tell us about you?

That I've worked hard and like really beautiful class cars.

What do you listen to when driving?

Radio 2 and 4 and CDs, mainly Rhythm and Blues and rock and roll star Pat Travis.

What do other drivers do that annoys you the most?

Tailgaters and people who don't signal and especially those who, because they signal, feel they are entitled to move without regard to safety.

How often do you wash your car?

Whenever it needs it.

May others smoke in it?

No.

First car?

A transit van and then an old Lotus Seven which I had to sell because I couldn't afford the insurance. It broke my heart.

Dream car?

I've got it, but maybe the new Bentley Coupe.

What celebrity would you like to give a lift to in your car?

Denise van Outen for obvious reasons and I think she would actually be very good company. Brains as well as beauty.