Hagerty Festival of the Unexceptional: Celebrating Nine Years of Mundane Motoring - Record Attendance & Triumph!
Under the sprawling emerald grounds of Grimsthorpe Castle in the heart of Lincolnshire, the 9th edition of the renowned Hagerty Festival of the Unexceptional unfolded like a triumph of time travel. A grand tableau of nostalgia, it marked a milestone—a decade celebrating the forgotten family cars of the 'Unexceptional Era' (1968-1989).
Amidst the castle's ancient stones, over 1200 cars, weary yet resilient from decades past, gathered in quiet homage to their uncelebrated existence. In their shadow, 3000 guests, from tireless enthusiasts to casual spectators, bore witness to the grandest spectacle the Festival of the Unexceptional (FOTU) had ever been.
Initiated in 2014 by the venerable Hagerty, the FOTU was a poetic ode to the mundane, a celebration of once ubiquitous vehicles now transformed into relics of sentiment. This year's Concours stood as a magnificent gallery, each of its 50 ordinary automobiles a masterpiece, meticulously preserved by their ardent curators.
In the heart of 2023, the FOTU had not merely outdone itself; it had summoned enthusiasts from the corners of the Earth. Under the gentle Lincolnshire sun, spectators revelled in the shimmering tableau of yesteryears. Among the treasures on display, a rare 5000-mile Cavalier glistened like a time capsule, while the sole Yugo Sana in the UK stood as a defiant relic. With hearts brimming with devotion, owners adorned their cars with original dealer signage and model-specific brochures, each an offering to the discerning judges.
Special appearances graced the Festival: the effervescent Paul Cowland from Salvage Hunters: Classic Cars and the charismatic Charlotte Vowden from Repair Lot. They regaled the crowd on the main stage, their voices a serenade to the unexceptional. Live interviews with YouTube luminaries like HubNut and idriveaclassic cast an enchantment over the rapt audience.
And then, the crescendo—the triumphant trio.
In third place, the 1993 Subaru Justy, a creation of Hugo Naaijkens from the Netherlands, emerged as a testament to remarkable preservation. A fervent Subaru WRC devotee, Hugo, fresh off obtaining his driver's license, swore eternal allegiance to his beloved Justy.
Securing second place, Sion Hudson's 1983 Austin Metro revelled in its resurrection. After two years of unwavering dedication, Sion had summoned the car back to its showroom splendour, undoing the misguided upgrades of previous owners.
Yet it was the first place that sent the heavens singing. Stephen Pike, a fearless traveller from Sweden, and his 1991 Daihatsu Applause stole the spotlight. After an epic renovation completed just a day before the arduous 900-mile journey to Lincolnshire, Stephen's Applause reigned as the undisputed champion. A paragon of devotion to the unloved, his victory was an anthem to the enduring spirit of the Daihatsu Applause.
As the sun dipped below the horizon on the 2023 Hagerty Festival of the Unexceptional, enthusiasts and owners departed with memories etched in the deepest recesses of their souls. With the 10th anniversary on the horizon, the promise of grandeur loomed more significant than ever. Mark Roper, the Maestro of Hagerty International, beamed with delight at the overwhelming response. He foresaw an extraordinary future, one where the passion for Unexceptional-era cars would continue to ignite the hearts of young drivers.
The 2023 Hagerty Festival of the Unexceptional faded into history, leaving an indelible mark on the tapestry of time. For all present, it was an unforgettable celebration of the mundane, a promise of a future where the unexceptional would be exceptional.
