HOW MUCH TO PAY

He may collect and sell automobilia for pleasure, but here are Matt Beale’s top tips for pieces that have investment potential, on a budget of £1500.

Shell petrol pump globe: £500-£800.

Oil jug: about £30 each but worth more if you collect the set (one gill, half pint, pint, quart, half gallon and gallon).

Oil bottles: around £50 for pint or two-pint bottles.

Petrol cans: around £60, but the rare copper ones are worth more.

Signs: around £500 for some of the choicest pictorial ones and the most sought-after.