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We’ve heard of weird car swap meets, but this takes it to a new level.

The West End of London came to a halt last week as a crystal-covered Stars and Striped BMW Mini was winched out through the roof of a building, down the side and onto the ground – to be followed by the sight of a bright red knitted Ferrari being winched up the side and through the roof to replace.

The car swap in Picadilly Circus was an exchange of displays at the London Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Museum.

And with the vehicle changing place in a spot on an upper floor, there was no other route for them to take.

The full-sized knitted Ferrari was crafted by UK artist Lauren Porter, who took 10 months and 20km of wool, knitted, purled, stitched  - and embroidered with the prancing horse logo on the fluffy bonnet.

It’s the kind of soft toy every baby car enthusiast dreams of. Studded with a million Swarovski crystals that make it the most expensive Mini every seen – worth the equivalent of $1.5 million – the little car is being shipped to the Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Musuem in Baltimore, where US fans can get a closer look at its sparkling mosaic showing the American flag, eagle and Mt Rushmore..