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Amazing barn-find auction totals £1m

THE LARGEST collection of ‘barn find’ cars ever assembled in one auction has raised more than £1 million. The auction, which included amazing and rare lots including Aston Martins and Jaguars, was the first of its kind and took place at Silverstone Auctions’ Practical Classics Restoration Show. More than 85% of the cars put up for sale have found new owners.

Show Review: Salon Privé 2011

Salon Privé is billed as Britain's most elite car show and, with its lashings of pink champagne, lobster barbecue and attendees who look to have taken a wrong turn from the UK scripted-reality show, Made in Chelsea, it's certainly the glitziest. This year Salon Privé moved from its traditional home of The Hurlingham Club, just a (precious) stone's throw from the real-life set of the aforementioned show, to the grounds of Syon House in outer West London. Home to the Duke of Northumberland, Syon House's Italian Renaissance architecture and lush grounds provide a fitting background for such an event although those familiar with the locales of Villa d'Este on the shores of Lake Como, the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the heart of Lord March's idyllic West Sussex estate or the dramatic Californian coastline of Pebble Beach may be disappointed.

Cyclists tackle round-the-world race

FOUR RIDERS have set off on what is described as the world's longest bicycle race. Three started from London and one from Bangkok in a bid to break the Guinness World Record for the fastest circumnavigation of the planet. The World Cycle Race launched from the prime meridian next to the Royal Observatory in Greenwich Park.