On May 17, at Newport Pagnell in Buckinghamshire, Aston Martin will host, in association with Bonhams, the ninth of what is now an annual auction of classic cars – at the site where for many years Aston Martin production was based. Twenty-four hours later in the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna, Ferrari will stage a similar sale, in conjunction with the car specialists RM Auctions, at the Prancing Horse’s spiritual home of Maranello – where the Ferrari museum, the Gallerias Ferrari, is also located.

Neither sale is just about grand motor investments, such as the two Ferrari 250 California Spyders produced in 1958 and 1961 on offer in Italy (estimated value $4m-$6m each). Both offer plenty of more affordable starting points for those with diverse motoring interests. “Automobilia” such as owners’ manuals and related literature, as well as artefacts including actual engine parts, is becoming a growing market alongside the established trade for the vehicles themselves. Last year, for instance, at Newport Pagnell, lots sold from £69 (a set of brake caliper pistons), although items such as a gear knob from an Aston Martin DB5 special effects car used in the promotion of the Goldfinger and Dr No films fetched £37,000; it made more than some of the cars.