A combination of jet lag, tradition and technology means that I’m writing this column at an absurdly unsociable hour from my temporary office-cum-studio on one of the best-known driving streets in the most notorious car city on the planet. I’m jet lagged because I’ve just travelled from China, which is eight hours ahead of the UK, to Los Angeles which is eight hours behind. So it’s little wonder that my body clock is more troubled than a Ford corporate accountant and I’m wide awake at 3.30am, penning these words on the eve of the LA Auto Show.
According to research by Network Q, while motorists spend an average of just 23 minutes checking their car before purchasing it, they typically devote an average of one hour and six minutes before deciding to purchase an item of clothing.
Add a motorsport flavour to your coffee break with this unusual race tyre table. The Goodyear rear slick has a 6mm toughened glass tabletop - so it can be used for a leisurely lunch while you relax and watch the grand prix on the TV. But you"ll have to be quick to grab an authentic piece of F1 history, as stock is limited. 
A delighted Shaun was given the chance to pick one of three new models from the Spanish manufacturer"s range - an Altea compact MPV, Leon hatchback or Toledo saloon. He chose the latter, and was amazed at his luck, with his name being picked out from thousands of entries. Shaun is pictured collecting his new wheels from local SEAT main dealer Listers of Coventry.
Although March saw 34mm more rainfall and was an average 2.5 degrees colder than the same month last year, registrations of the 307 CC have risen by 27 per cent. A spokesman said: "Regardless of the changeable weather, our customers have a love affair with open-top motoring."