Why lexus ticked the right boxes

Good XJ40s are rare but bargains are still out there

For its inaugural auction held during the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este weekend (p12), Broad Arrow’s 24-25 May event at the nearby Villa Erba estate produced a remarkable reflection of the show car

Buyers continue to stump up for restored minters – but barn-finds continue to surprise the experts too

ACA, KING’S LYNN. 14-15 JUNE

If it hadn’t been for a keen online rival bidder, you would now be reading about how I’d just bought a Renault Avantime and how I was embarking on an ill-judged foray into weird French car ownership.

Power/engine size: 118bhp/1.8 litre Engine/gearbox: V6/four-speed manual 0-60/top speed: 11.5 seconds/115mph Price new: £3,173 price now: from £750,000-£1m I'VE had a model of the Lancia Aurelia for m