Mesfar is a well-known and much-loved character in the picturesque and ancient Moroccan seaport, instantly recognisable by the car he drives: a 1974 Mercedes Stroke 8. In the UK, such a vehicle would belong in a classic car collection but in Africa it"s just another rolling ruin. Nevertheless, it has the dubious honour of being the oldest taxi in Essaouira – but not by much, as there are plenty of other battered and bruised diesel vehicles long past their sell-by date.