MERCEDES SURREY

I could have picked any of the Mercedes-based range because, surely, linking up with the prestigious three-pointed star was a no-brainer for this premium brand (especially after rival, Auto-Trail, abandoned the Merc chassis), but the Surrey has particular memories for me as, in 2010, I took one (which we had on long-term test) down to St Tropez with my then two-year old daughter. On site, I wondered why passing campers kept looking up at the roof, only to find that Ariane (who was supposed to be asleep) had posted her large collection of teddy bears out through the overcab’s rooflight onto the roof!