Festival Of The Unexceptional 2023: A round of Applause for Winner

The 2023 Hagerty Insurance Festival Of The Unexceptional marked its ninth year and proved to be the largest and most vibrant event in the UK’s classic vehicle industry. For both avid motor enthusiasts and those with a passing interest, this festival offered a magical journey down memory lane. With approximately 1200 fascinating cars on display and a crowd of 3000 spectators, the atmosphere was electrifying. The highlight of the festival was the Concours lawn, where 50 of the most beloved and ordinary motors took the spotlight. The intriguing aspect of this competition was the appreciation of what makes an automobile ordinary. As the judges evaluated the 50 mundane hatchbacks and saloons exhibited at the Concours d’Ordinaire, they confronted a thought-provoking question: how do we define ordinary in the context of classic vehicles? Check more Sarkari Result

This year’s festival celebrated the unsung heroes of the automotive world, acknowledging the charm and nostalgia of unassuming vehicles that have left a lasting impact on countless drivers. Beyond the allure of extravagance, it emphasized the beauty found in simplicity and reliability. These unexceptional cars, often overlooked, possessed a unique character that made them truly extraordinary in their own right. The event successfully captured the essence of a bygone era, reminding attendees of the enduring appeal and significance of these seemingly ordinary vehicles.

Festival Of The Unexceptional 2023

The Festival Unexceptional (FOTU), affectionately known by its numerous fans, is an annual event now in its ninth year, dedicated to celebrating ordinary automobiles. Attracting 1,200 vehicles and 3,000 enthusiasts, the festival takes place at the beautifully maintained grounds of Grimsthorpe Castle in Lincolnshire. Here, attendees gather to admire the charm of unremarkable cars, with rows of average automobiles parked on both sides of the grand drive. Among the crowd, passionate FOTU aficionados proudly support cars that may never achieve classic status, including Tercel trios, numerous Metros, and fleets of 1980s and 1990s repmobiles. Inside the castle walls, the real competition unfolds, as participants vie for coveted trophies in a display of genuine dedication and love for these unsung automotive heroes.

In this unique Concours, the judges’ criteria extend beyond the typical focus on well-preserved, original vehicles. They place special emphasis on embracing the charm of the less remarkable entries. Chief judge Danny Hopkins, who also serves as the editor of Practical Classics, humorously describes the ideal cars as ones that could have elicited underwhelming reactions from friends in the school playground 30 years ago when parents bought them new. If your friends’ reaction was simply, “Oh right, shall we play football then?” then that very car becomes a prime candidate for the Festival Unexceptional. Fellow judge Jon Bentley adds that vehicles that might have failed magazine group tests or were cleverly disguised as special editions to boost sales and clear showrooms are considered excellent contenders for FOTU recognition. The festival truly celebrates the nostalgia and appreciation for the everyday vehicles that have quietly shaped automotive history.

As Steve Cropley of Autocar humorously pointed out, the adversary in this unique automotive celebration is none other than the concept of status. What truly sets these tales apart is the passion and enthusiasm with which each owner tells their story. The more fervently someone cherishes a car that society might consider inferior, the greater the accolades it receives at the Festival Unexceptional. A shining example of this sentiment is Sion Hudson’s 1983 Austin Metro, which impressively secures the second spot in the rankings. For two whole years, Sion dedicated himself to “de-pimping” his beloved vehicle after discovering that the base model he initially purchased had been upgraded. With great determination, he meticulously removed the radio, the passenger door mirrors, and even the side repeaters to painstakingly restore the car to its original state as it left the Longbridge factory. Meanwhile, across the seas in Sweden, Stephen Pike embarked on his own restoration journey, reviving his 1991 Daihatsu Applause with equal passion and dedication. These tales exemplify the true spirit of the Festival Unexceptional, where ordinary cars become extraordinary through the love and commitment of their owners.