Downton Abbey star to appear at Classic Motor Show

One of the stars of ITV’s hugely popular costume drama Downton Abbey is to appear at the Footman James Classic Motor Show at Birmingham’s NEC this weekend (11-13 November). Forget about Hugh Bonneville or Dame Maggie Smith; this star is of the four-wheeled variety!
 
The 1911 Renault type CB12/16hp driven in the show by chauffeur Tom Branson, played by actor Allen Leech, will appear on the Veteran Car Club of Great Britain stand and is sure to be a crowd pleaser. The car has appeared in many of the drama’s storylines including when Lady Edith, the middle Grantham sister played by actress Laura Carmichael, attempts learning to drive. Ironically, this was at a time when the actress herself was a complete novice behind the wheel.
 
The beautiful 1911 Renault is totally original and in its day would have been a luxury and fit for royalty. With its open drive laudelette body, the chauffeur was exposed to the elements whilst passengers traveled in relative comfort inside.
 
Downton Abbey is created by award-winning writer Julian Fellowes who himself is a keen classic car fan known to have visited the Classic Motor Show in previous years.
 
The car can be seen on Stand 8C16 at Birmingham’s NEC this weekend. On Sunday 13 November members of the Veteran Car Club in period costume will join the Renault.
 
For more information on the Footman James Classic Motor Show or Classic Motorbike Show, visit necclassicmotorshow.com.