Maggie in her 1967 Triumph Herald Estate Wagon called Ulp.

Maggie Smith bought her car with the proceeds of “Oh What Lovely War” and it therefore enjoys sentimental value along with all it’s endearing other attributes.

The children, Christopher and Toby, confided in their mother’s absence that it was “a bit old” and the necessity for wearing gumboots when traveling in the winter or remembering not to put your feet on the floor. “We can’t remember not having Ulp, it’s older than us”.

Maggie Smith considers Ulp one of her great friends. It’s now so familiar with local topography that “If I ever got lost Ulp would find its own way home. It certainly knows the way to Waitrose Wine Department and back!”. She can’t possibly imagine being without it. “I’d put it in the garden and grow flowers in it.”

Maggie Smith’s sister-in-law, Sian, disclosed that it was actually sprouting grass in the back “but Maggie went to stay with Lord Olivier so we thought it better have a clean”.

From Vogue, 1979.