If you are an auction house wanting to sell large items – such as maybe, a collection of cars, then you need somewhere to put them on display.

A large shed is ideal – and if it contains an equally large collection of vintage aircraft, all the better. That is the concept behind the annual car sale in North London and one of the key dates in my calendar.

As I have mentioned in the past, my knowledge of cars could be fitted onto the back of the proverbial postage stamp, but I can still appreciate the athletics, if not understanding the adoration they seem to elicit in the – usually male – audience.

As I wandered around photographing the cars and peering inside, often a chap would come up and exclaim “is that the [insert awestruck technical jargon] car?” to which I would have to explain that I had absolutely no idea what sort of car it was, let alone if it was the [insert awestruck technical jargon] version.

Sorry – I just don’t get it.

This year was extra special, for amongst the collection of cars with heritages that I couldn’t even begin to understand, was a car that I could actually get my head around. Yes, that Ferrari from the hit film, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off was up for sale and as part of the generation that grew up with its teenage rebellion as an iconic image to aspire to, even if none of us ever did so.

For me, that car is iconic – not for the car, which is actually one of three replicas made for filming with – but for the message the film sends. To see a key prop from the film is therefore a quite spine tingling experience.

Bonhams, who were hosting the auction had made a great deal of fuss about the fact that they were selling this car, so when I got into the museum, I was surprised to see it almost hidden in a corner away from the main collection of vehicles. A single sign with the lot number to identify it – and nothing else to explain it heritage to the passers by who might have ventured in this corner of the building.

I wonder how many people visiting the museum this weekend will wander around seeing the nice, but average vintage cars and not realise that there is teenage rebellion lurking in the corner?

On the upside, it did mean I had the spot all to myself, and maybe for just a tiny moment, I understood how motor-fans can get so dewy eyed about cars.

If you want to see the exteriors (and smell the interiors) of a collection of vintage cars – you need to get over to the RAF Museum tomorrow as they will all be sold on Monday.

I took loads of photos – as usual on my Flickr Gallery.

Being a moderately signed up geek, I am quite keen on Dr Who. Unlike some people I know (glares!), for me, it is just a bit of light entertainment, not The Meaning of Lifeâ„¢ as some seem to treat it.

Also, slightly heretical, but I prefer the pre-2005 episodes as they had a lot less special effects and generally more interesting plots!

However, I was still rather excited to see that Bonhams are going to sell off some of the BBC’s Dr Who memorabilia – which usually means public viewing days to have a look at the goodies. As usual, I can’t afford to buy anything, but I can go for a look.

Although public viewing days for auctions are normally free, this time they are being charged for – I guess Bonhams guessed it would be rather popular and spotted the opportunity to cash in on it – damn!

Entrance to the view and to the sale will be by catalogue only. Catalogues cost £15 and each catalogue admits two people. Children go free if accompanied by an adult, and a minimum of £5 from each catalogue sale will be donated to ‘Children in Need’.

Still, you do get the catalogue to keep, and sales catalogues do tend to be rather good quality – expect a lot of glossy photos and history about each prop.

PS: Yes, they are selling a DALEK – if you have a spare £5-£7,000 lying around.

The viewing days are:

Sun 21 February 11am – 3pm
Mon 22 February 9am – 4.30pm
Tue 23 February 9am – 4.30pm
Wed 24 February 9am – 12noon

More details on the Bonham’s website – the auction house is on Montpelier Street, just across from Harrods.

I think I might try to go on the Monday – as I suspect the place will be PACKED on the Sunday with lots of adult sized children ohhing and ahhing over the props.

It is probably a tiny bit naughty, but one often overlooked free event is to go to the viewing days at auction houses and have a look at the items being sold.

A really good one is coming up shortly at Christie’s on the Old Brompton Road – of Travel, Science and Natural History, a collection of old scientific instruments, books and drawings.

I tend to treat the viewings as a rare chance to see a museum display of private items put on display for just a few days.

This particular auction also includes a range of globes, which have facinated me ever since I was a kid.

You can see the full catalogue on the Christie’s website – mouse over the image for more details – and the valuation estimate (and weep).

The public viewing times are:

• Sat, April 4th – 10am – 4pm
• Sun, April 5th – 10am – 4pm
• Mon, April 6th – 9am – 7:30pm
• Tues, April 7th – 9am – 5pm

While open to the public, obviously, these are viewings aimed at potential buyers so I tend to bear that in mind when people want me to move out of the way.

Another upcoming event (which is being proactively promoted to the public) is a display of luxury motorcars, being auctioned by Bonhams at the RAF Museum in North London. You can spend time visiting the museum, and express a wistful longing sigh at the cars on display at the same time.