Cars in Downton Abbey: The Real Vehicles Behind the Show
Downton Abbey’s most famous car is a 1925 Sunbeam 20/60hp — the real Grantham family vehicle, which sold for £190,900 at Bonhams’ 2025 farewell auction, six times its estimate. The show also features multiple Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts and a real in-story dealership, Talbot and Branson Motors. This guide covers every documented vehicle and the true story behind the show’s car trivia.
Quick Answer
Downton Abbey featured real vintage cars including a 1925 Sunbeam 20/60hp (Lord Grantham’s main car), several Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts, a 1911 Renault 12/16hp, and Rosamund’s Rolls-Royce Phantom I. In the storyline, Henry Talbot and Tom Branson open a real in-show car dealership called Talbot and Branson Motors in York during Series 6.
The Real Cars Featured in Downton Abbey
Every major vehicle on Downton Abbey is a real, period-correct automobile sourced by the show’s production team, not a replica built for the screen. The Crawley family and their circle drive a documented lineup of Edwardian and 1920s British luxury cars, each tied to a specific character and storyline.
| Car | Year | Associated With |
|---|---|---|
| Sunbeam 20/60hp Limousine | 1924–1925 | Lord Grantham’s primary family car, screen-used from Series 2 through the film versions |
| Renault 12/16hp Landaulette | 1911 | Lord Grantham’s earlier car, used for trips to the local train station |
| Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost (open tourer) | 1913 | Sir Anthony Strallan, Lady Edith’s early love interest |
| Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Silver Ghost | 1923 & 1925 | Appears in Series 4 episodes |
| Rolls-Royce Phantom I | Late 1920s | Rosamund Painswick’s car |
Note what’s missing from this list: some older summaries of the show claim a “Bentley” or a “1926 Hispano-Suiza” appear in Downton Abbey. Neither is confirmed in the show’s documented vehicle records, so this guide only lists cars with verified appearances.
Talbot and Branson Motors: The Show’s Real Car Dealership
Talbot and Branson Motors is a genuine plot element from Series 6 — not a real-world company, and not a mix-up with the historic French-British automaker Talbot or entrepreneur Richard Branson. In the storyline, Henry Talbot (played by Matthew Goode), a former race car driver, and Tom Branson, the family’s ex-chauffeur turned estate agent, open a used-car sales and repair shop together in York, England.
Henry, no longer able to race after a friend’s fatal crash, needs a new direction. Tom already has mechanical experience from his years as the Crawleys’ chauffeur. The two men start the business handling used cars and repairs, with plans to expand into new car sales and eventually manufacturing — Henry works the shop full time, while Tom splits his time between the garage and managing the Downton estate.
📊 The real 1925 Sunbeam 20/60hp used as the on-screen Grantham family car sold for £190,900 — six times its £25,000–£30,000 pre-sale estimate — at Bonhams’ official “Downton Abbey: The Auction” in September 2025. — Source: Bonhams, 2025
Which Character Drove Which Car?
Each car in Downton Abbey is matched to a specific character’s role and personality. Lord Grantham’s Renault and later Sunbeam mark his position as head of the estate — practical, dignified transportation rather than flashy. Sir Anthony Strallan’s 1913 Silver Ghost tourer signals old-money reliability, fitting his character as Lady Edith’s older, cautious suitor. Rosamund Painswick’s Rolls-Royce Phantom I reflects her independent wealth as Lord Grantham’s sister, living apart from the main estate. Henry Talbot’s background as a professional race car driver — the reason he can no longer compete after his friend’s death — is what leads directly into the Talbot and Branson Motors storyline above.
“The best car in the world.”
For anyone who wants a piece of that era on a shelf rather than at a Bonhams auction, a scaled model of the actual cars from the show is the realistic way to own one.
Best Downton Abbey-Era Car Model Pick
Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost 1/24 Diecast Model (Sound & Light)
A scaled replica of the same Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost model that appears throughout the series, with opening doors and a detailed alloy body.
- Best for: fans who want the exact car model featured on screen
- Why we picked it: closest available match to the show’s most recurring Rolls-Royce
- Main drawback: die-cast finish, not a museum-grade replica
Compare more Downton Abbey-era car models
 Option 1 Rolls-Royce Phantom 1/24 Diecast Model
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 Option 2 1909 Rolls-Royce Ghost 1:10 Handcrafted Model
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 Option 3 Antique Vintage Car Model Decor Piece
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Craftsmanship and Engineering of the Era
The Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost that anchors much of the show’s car trivia earned its reputation decades before Downton Abbey existed. Its chassis and 7-liter six-cylinder engine were engineered for near-silent running — the “Ghost” name came from how quietly it operated compared to contemporaries. Hydraulic brakes, then a genuine innovation, and hand-finished coachwork made these cars status symbols rather than mere transportation, which is exactly why the show’s production team chose them to represent the Crawley family’s standing.
What Happened to the Real Downton Abbey Cars?
Most of the vehicles used during filming were sourced from private collectors and vintage car hire companies rather than owned outright by the production. When the series and its film sequels wrapped, many of the screen-used props — including the Grantham family’s 1925 Sunbeam — went up for public sale. Bonhams’ official “Downton Abbey: The Auction” in September 2025 sold 260 items from the production, including vehicles, for a combined £1,735,744, roughly six times the pre-sale estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Cars in Downton Abbey?
The documented vehicles include Lord Grantham’s 1911 Renault 12/16hp Landaulette and his later 1924–1925 Sunbeam 20/60hp Limousine, several Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts (a 1913 open tourer belonging to Sir Anthony Strallan and 1923/1925 40/50hp models), and Rosamund Painswick’s Rolls-Royce Phantom I. Some older articles also list a Bentley or Hispano-Suiza, but neither appears in the show’s verified vehicle records.
Where Are Talbot and Branson Motors?
Talbot and Branson Motors isn’t a real-world business — it’s a fictional car dealership and repair shop from the show’s storyline, set up by Henry Talbot and Tom Branson in York, England, during Series 6. In the story, the two men start with used-car sales and repairs and plan to expand into new car sales and manufacturing.
Is Talbot and Branson Motors a Real Car Company?
No. It exists only within the Downton Abbey storyline. It is not connected to the real-world French-British car brand Talbot or to entrepreneur Richard Branson’s businesses — the name is a coincidence created by the show’s writers, combining the surnames of the two characters who open the shop.
Why Do They Call Him “Donk” on Downton Abbey?
“Donk” is what young Sybbie Branson calls her grandfather, Robert Crawley, the Earl of Grantham. The nickname comes from the children’s game Pin the Tail on the Donkey. Robert initially hoped she’d call him “Grandpapa” instead, but he warms to “Donk” over time, and the rest of the family finds it affectionately amusing.
What Rolls-Royce Was Used in Downton Abbey?
More than one Rolls-Royce appears across the series, not a single car. Sir Anthony Strallan drives a 1913 Silver Ghost open tourer, 1923 and 1925 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Silver Ghost models appear in Series 4, and Rosamund Painswick drives a Rolls-Royce Phantom I. All are genuine period vehicles rather than replicas built for filming.
What Car Did Lord Grantham Drive?
Lord Grantham’s main car is a 1924–1925 Sunbeam 20/60hp Limousine, used from Series 2 through the Downton Abbey films. Earlier in the timeline he’s shown with a 1911 Renault 12/16hp Landaulette, typically for trips to the local train station. The screen-used Sunbeam sold for £190,900 at Bonhams’ 2025 farewell auction.
Conclusion
Downton Abbey’s cars are as carefully researched as the show’s costumes and sets — every major vehicle, from Lord Grantham’s Sunbeam to Rosamund’s Rolls-Royce Phantom I, is a real, period-correct automobile, and even the fictional Talbot and Branson Motors storyline is grounded in the real backgrounds of its two characters. Fans curious about other iconic on-screen vehicles can explore where the real Bonnie and Clyde car ended up, what kind of car Columbo drove, or how many cars it took to make the Dukes of Hazzard.
