Where ordinary becomes extraordinary: a celebration of the unsung heroes of our motoring past.
The humble icons of Britain’s motoring heritage are set to take centre stage once again as the Hagerty Festival of the Unexceptional returns to Grimsthorpe Castle in Lincolnshire on Saturday, 26 July 2025. Now in its 11th year, this delightfully nostalgic celebration of everyday cars promises to be bigger, bolder, and wonderfully more unexceptional than ever before.
Held in the regal setting of Grimsthorpe Castle, the 2025 festival honours the often-overlooked workhorses of daily life — the supermarket car park regulars, motorway mainstays, and family favourites that quietly shaped a generation of motoring. From Austin Allegros to Volvo 240s, the event offers a refreshing antidote to the traditional classic car show, focusing on the fondly remembered and sometimes unfairly maligned cars of the 60s through to the early 2000s.
A Record-Breaking Legacy
The 2024 event set a new record, drawing over 2,000 vehicles and more than 4,000 guests, confirming that there’s something truly special about the unexceptional. With the 2025 edition poised to surpass those numbers, this year’s Festival is gearing up to be an unforgettable family day out filled with live music, food and drink, immersive displays, and entertainment for all ages.
Returning to the stage are the beloved motoring personalities Smith and Sniff with a live recording of their much-loved podcast, complete with audience interaction, automotive banter, and tongue-in-cheek commentary on the extraordinary world of the ordinary.
The Concours de l’Ordinaire: Mundane Magic
At the heart of the event is the Concours de l’Ordinaire, a tongue-in-cheek homage to the traditional concours d’elegance. Fifty of the most magnificently mundane vehicles have been meticulously selected from hundreds of entries across the UK and beyond, each judged on their authenticity, condition, and, most importantly, their sheer unremarkableness.
“Selecting fifty finalists from the long list of entries has been harder than ever,” says Mark Roper, Managing Director of Hagerty International. “While many of the cars might have been unexceptional in their day, today they have a lifetime of memories that make each one exceptional in its own way. We are immensely excited to see this celebration of motoring history assembled on the lawns at Grimsthorpe Castle in what again promises to be a wonderful family day out.”
Among the 2025 finalists are some perfect examples of unpretentious motoring history:
- 1982 Austin Allegro Series 3 1.3 HLS – The awkward yet beloved British Leyland compact with its infamous quartic steering wheel.
- 1986 Bedford Rascal – The tiny van with a big personality and a brown plastic interior that could only have come from the 80s.
- 1998 Perodua Nippa EX – The embodiment of budget motoring, with fewer frills than a sponge cake and a passion-fuelled fanbase to match.
- 1984 Ford Escort 1.1 ‘Special’ – With its modest 49 horsepower, this base-model Escort reminds us that not all heroes wear body kits.
- 1992 Skoda Favorit Forum – A Czech underdog that dared to challenge public perception long before Skoda’s modern-day reinvention.
Each vehicle tells a story — of family holidays, school runs, first jobs and first loves — making them more than the sum of their mechanical parts.
A Festival for All
Gates open at 7:30am, giving early risers and enthusiastic owners of both unexceptional and classic vehicles the chance to enjoy a packed programme that runs until 5:00pm. With live music, expert talks, interactive exhibits, and a curated food and drink village, there’s something for everyone, whether you’re a die-hard enthusiast or simply there to relive the comforting whirr of a carburetted childhood.
And with the grand backdrop of Grimsthorpe Castle — a setting typically reserved for stately classics — there’s an undeniable charm in seeing these everyday legends presented with such reverence.
The Spirit of the Unexceptional
Ultimately, the Hagerty Festival of the Unexceptional is more than just a car show. It’s a cultural phenomenon that champions the modest marvels of motoring, embracing the nostalgia, quirks, and quiet pride that come with owning a car that once blended into the background. In celebrating these unsung heroes, Hagerty continues to remind us that sometimes, the most meaningful stories aren’t driven by speed or luxury — but by reliability, accessibility, and the memories forged along the way.
So whether you’re bringing your cherished Nissan Micra, showing your support for Mary’s Volvo, or simply soaking in the sights with an ice cream in hand, 26 July 2025 is set to be an exceptionally unexceptional day to remember.
