Hagerty invites owners of deliciously dull vehicles to nominate them for a space on the concours lawn at the 2021 Festival of the Unexceptional. If you own an Opel, maintain a Morris, fettle a Fiat, cherish a Chevette or run a Reliant this is your chance to show the world your beloved vehicle.
Once again, Hagerty’s annual Concours de l’Ordinaire is open to classic cars, motorcycles and light commercial vehicles built between 1966 and 1996, but spaces on the coveted concours lawn are limited, and owners of eligible vehicles are encouraged to nominate their entry at the earliest opportunity.
Festival of the Unexceptional is a competitive concours that celebrates the world of mundane motoring with a tongue-in-cheek take on the familiar concours format. Instead of displaying multi-million-pound vehicles and enforcing a dress code of chinos and blue blazers, cars are of the type once seen on every residential street, and dress is smart casual without the need to be smart.
Showcasing much maligned and long forgotten ‘ordinary’ classic cars and commercial vehicles of the late 1960s through the 70s, 80s and into the mid-90s, Festival of the Unexceptional remains the only concours that prefers a Dolomite to a Diablo, a Tagora over a Testarossa and where a Victor is preferable to a Vantage.
Hagerty believes in basic and understands the labour of love needed to keep these cars on the road. Every city has an Italian supercar specialist, but you’ll struggle to find spares for a Talbot Solara regardless of where you live. You may think a supercar is a rare sight on the roads, but when did you last see a Datsun Cherry? The cars that were once every day transport are now on the verge of extinction and it takes a committed enthusiast to keep them alive.
Potential entrants are reminded the Festival, as its name suggests, celebrates the unexceptional. Spaces on the concours lawn will be awarded to a Merit over an SRi, and a City will be chosen over a Vanden Plas. Hagerty seeks the cars few would see benefit in saving, and while many luxury or sporting models from the past still have a strong following, it’s the lower trim levels that will catch the judges’ eye.
Cars can be offered for consideration via this link: https://carfestivalbooking.com/events/festival-of-the-unexceptional-2021-concours-registration
The chosen location for 2021 Festival of the Unexceptional is Grimsthorpe Castle in Lincolnshire, offering expansive grounds to enjoy with lakeside walks, formal gardens, and a children’s play area, ensuring the 2021 Festival of the Unexceptional will be a great day out for all the family.
2021 will also welcome improved show facilities with a wide range of food and beverage outlets, more display cars, comfortable seating areas, increased interaction, and entertainment as well as entertaining judging and award ceremonies.
