RM Sotheby’s Cliveden House.

In the heat of a July afternoon the magnificent surroundings of Cliveden House resounded to the sound of bids being called and the fall of the gavel and by the time the 60-odd lots had passed across the block the sale rate stood at a healthy 75%.

If we could draw two conclusions from the results they would be firstly that recognisably well-cared for and stylish cars can still make strong prices and secondly that with any car that is considered to be slightly out of fashion at the moment, being at no reserve is a sure fire way to attract bids and maximise the selling price.

Personal favourites included the beautiful Ferrari Daytona which seemed great value at £400,000 and the incredibly stylish Rolls Royce Phantom II Continental sports saloon which disproved the theory that pre-war cars have lost their appeal selling for a wholly justified and strong £117,000. Likewise the fabulously original Bugatti Type 44 which exceeded expectations, taking just under £315,000.