How are auction prices going? Well, a year ago Ferrari Daytonas were selling for 60-80,000, with exceptional ones struggling to go much into six figures. Then a few weeks back, Edsel Ford's yellow one came up at RM (www.rmauctions.com) and after a tough battle between two determined bidders, fetched some 700,000. Interesting - though remember, one swallow doesn't make a summer!

Equally impressive was the over half a million pounds paid at Bonhams' Monaco sale for the Ghia 'Supersonic' bodied Jaguar XK120, despite it being too small for anyone above 5ft 8in to drive in comfort.

H&H are justifiably proud of having achieved 286,000 for the ex-John Miles, Graham Hill, Jo Siffert and Emerson Fittipaldi Lotus 72, ripe for restoration, on July 25, along with a number of other good prices. Next sale for H&H (www.classic-auctions.com) is at Duxford on October 9/10 and includes an ultra-rare 1938 Autovia sports saloon, in current ownership since 1963. Among automobilia consigned for the sale are the archives of pre-war (and post-war) race driver Bert Hadley.

H&H achieved a record 39,600 in February for the last Vincent motorcycle produced and has another Black Prince lined up on October 10; near concours, it's estimated at 38-42,000. It's on sale alongside a wonderful array of motorcycles, including recent shed and barn discoveries from 1954 Rapide to Calthorpe and a fully restored 1911 Humber.

Malcolm McKay, Motorbase News Editor