In early May, an Art Deco-style 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic became the world’s most expensive car, when an unknown bidder paid $30m (€24.4m) for it in California. Days later, Radio 2 DJ Chris Evans spent £12m (€14.2m) on a rare 1960s Ferrari, which would have cost half the price two years ago, according to experts.

Last week at the annual Aston Martin auction in Newbury, near London, a record £4.7m was realised from frenzied bidders, with a 95% sell-through rate.