The Festival of the Unexceptional returns this summer, once again flying the flag for the underdogs of the motoring world.
Now in its eleventh year, the event celebrates everyday cars from the 70s, 80s and 90s that were once part of the nation’s daily life and now shine as nostalgic icons.
It takes place on Saturday 26 July within the historic grounds of Grimsthorpe Castle in Lincolnshire, a setting more commonly associated with automotive royalty than humble hatchbacks.
But that contrast is exactly what gives FOTU its magic, with a lovingly curated collection of repmobiles, family runabouts and commuter cars taking centre stage.
The event is a celebration of vehicles that were once common but are now rare survivors of a rapidly disappearing era.
These aren’t the cars that graced posters or auction catalogues, but the ones that filled car parks, driveways and motorway service stations across the UK.
Hagerty, the team behind the festival, calls them ‘Unexceptional’ – but only in the sense that they were never built to be showstoppers.
That hasn’t stopped owners from turning them into head-turners through sheer passion and painstaking preservation.
FOTU even includes its own concours competition, the delightfully named Concours de l’Ordinaire, where fifty of these marvels are judged for their authenticity, condition and backstory.
And backstories abound, with each car often accompanied by tales of family holidays, first drives or sentimental restoration journeys.
Take Amy Jaine, who brought her gran’s 1998 Renault Clio to last year’s concours – a car still used today and filled with shared memories.
Or the Toyota Hilux that won overall, not for being flashy, but for still working hard while looking pristine.
Unexceptional doesn’t mean unloved – quite the opposite.
Some owners go to extraordinary lengths to keep their cars factory correct, like Sion Hudson, who de-spec’d his 1983 Austin Metro over two years to match its original build spec.
It’s a level of dedication that reflects a different kind of car culture, one rooted in memory, accessibility and a quiet kind of pride.
These cars aren’t status symbols, they’re conversation starters.
They’re also refreshingly affordable, with many FOTU-worthy machines still available for modest sums.
That makes the scene particularly welcoming to younger enthusiasts, many of whom are embracing these cars for their retro charm and relatable stories.
Mark Roper of Hagerty UK says the event continues to grow each year, offering new generations a gateway into the classic car world.
This year’s event promises to be the biggest yet, with thousands of cars, live entertainment, trade stands and even a live recording of the Smith & Sniff podcast.
It’s a day for all the family, and a rare opportunity to see the cars that quietly defined a generation finally get their moment in the spotlight.
Tickets are on sale now and children under 15 go free.
Get your tickets HERE
