Hagerty Festival of the Unexceptional

Hagerty’s Festival of the Unexceptional is a classic car show concept utterly unique in the UK that for the past seven years has successfully showcased the best examples of some of the most mundane cars ever built. 

Dust off your Datsuns, polish your Peugeots, and rev up those Reliants! Hagerty is delighted to announce that the world-famous Festival of the Unexceptional will return in 2021. The Concours de l’Ordinaire – quite literally, a show dedicated to sharing some of the greatest everyday classic cars on our roads –is confirmed for Saturday, 31 July.

Originally staged by Hagerty in 2014, the Festival of the Unexceptional has earned its place in the automotive calendar as an attainable concours event offering a mix of rare cars and a prestigious location in an informal and friendly approach. The unique event celebrates cherished everyday classic cars and acknowledges this growing movement among owners and enthusiasts alike.

Showcasing much maligned and long forgotten ‘ordinary’ classic cars and commercial vehicles of the late 1960s, 70s, 80s and 90s, Festival of the Unexceptional remains the only concours that applauds an Applause, believes in basic, makes a case for a Cavalier and fawns over an FSO. In keeping with the spirit of the event, guests are welcome to arrive in the latest supercar but are forewarned that an Ambassador will gain more privileges than an Aventador when it comes to being offered forward parking.

Regarded as one of the automotive highlights of the year, a larger show space was needed to allow for more concours cars and more visitors, as every previous event has been a sell-out success. 

The chosen location for 2021 is Grimsthorpe Castle in Lincolnshire, a 1516 architectural masterpiece, showcasing a mix of Tudor and Baroque splendour, originally given as a wedding gift by Henry VIII to William, 11^th Lord Willoughby de Eresby. In addition to providing space for a greater number of unexceptional cars, Grimsthorpe also offers 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. 

Once again, Hagerty’s annual Concours de l’Ordinaire will be free to attend and open to classic cars and light commercial vehicles built between 1966 and 1996. The 2019 panel of automotive expert judges deemed a gloriously original 1977 Morris Marina Deluxe Estate as overall winner, with a 1978 Vauxhall Chevette Deluxe E saloon as notable runner up. 

Hagerty had to postpone the 2020 Festival of the Unexceptional due to restrictions in place for Coronavirus.