The world-renowned Hagerty Festival of the Unexceptional (FOTU) will make its eagerly awaited return to the stunning Grimsthorpe Castle in Lincolnshire on Saturday, 26th July 2025. A celebration of the often-overlooked vehicles that once formed the backbone of everyday motoring, this annual event has continued to grow in both scale and popularity since its inception. With over 2000 cars and more than 4000 visitors attending the 2024 event, it’s clear that this unique festival has captured the hearts of car enthusiasts worldwide.
Tickets for the 2025 edition will be available soon, but in the meantime, the event organizers are calling for entries for the Concours de L’Ordinaire. This competition, which showcases the most unexceptional cars produced between 1970 and 2000, is now open. If you own a perfectly ordinary, yet exceptional, vehicle from this period, this could be your chance to showcase it to a wider audience.
A Record-Breaking 2024 Event
The 2024 Hagerty Festival of the Unexceptional marked a significant milestone, celebrating its 10th anniversary with a record turnout. As FOTU-era cars filled the verdant grounds of Grimsthorpe Castle, it was a truly spectacular sight. From the unremarkable charm of a Vauxhall Belmont to the understated elegance of a base-spec W140 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the public display was a captivating mix of cars that many of us grew up with — cars that were once the heart of daily driving, now celebrated as symbols of nostalgia.
The Concours de L’Ordinaire 2024 saw a remarkable winner in the form of a 1982 Toyota Hilux. Far from the gleaming, immaculate showroom cars often seen at concours events, this unrestored workhorse was the epitome of unexceptional – having spent most of its life on a fruit farm. Its originality and immaculate condition earned it the coveted title of Hagerty Festival of the Unexceptional Champion. Other category winners included a 1998 Renault Clio, an Applejack Austin Metro, and a Sunderland-built Nissan Primera, all of which perfectly encapsulated the event’s focus on celebrating the unsung heroes of automotive history.
A New Era: Expanding the Concours de L’Ordinaire
Exciting news for the 2025 event is the expansion of the Concours de L’Ordinaire to include cars produced between 1970 and 2000. This extension brings a new wave of vehicles into the fold, particularly from the 1990s. Enthusiasts can now look forward to entries featuring Fiat Multiplas, Peugeot 406s, Chrysler PT Cruisers, and early Audi A2s, the latter of which is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2025. These vehicles represent the epitome of everyday motoring in an era that introduced many now-iconic designs and innovations.
A Day for the Whole Family
The festival will once again be a full day of fun and entertainment, with gates opening at 7:30am for car owners and enthusiasts to soak in the sights. The day will be filled with a host of activities, including a live stage featuring a mix of speakers, live music, and special guests.
Families can enjoy not only the eclectic car displays but also a wide variety of catering options, offering something for every taste. There will be plenty to keep children entertained while they marvel at the cars their parents and grandparents used to drive. And for those who appreciate an extra level of exclusivity, the Hagerty Drivers Club will once again have its own dedicated area, with members enjoying a special 25% discount on tickets.
A Bigger, Better Event Awaits
As the Hagerty Festival of the Unexceptional continues to grow, Mark Roper, Managing Director of Hagerty International, expressed his excitement for the 2025 event:
“Last year’s record attendance shows just how much everyone loves the unexceptional cars that they or their parents grew up with. This year, the Hagerty Festival of the Unexceptional is going to be bigger and better than ever. With the expanded list of qualifying years, the Concours de L’Ordinaire is going to bring some fascinating and no less unexceptional cars that we haven’t seen at the event before. FOTU is our biggest event of the year, and we can’t wait to celebrate unexceptional cars in exceptional style with everyone!”
Get Involved
For those interested in entering their unexceptional car into the Concours de L’Ordinaire, time is of the essence. Numbers are limited, and with entries now open for cars produced between 1970 and 2000, this is the perfect opportunity to dust off a much-loved family vehicle and give it the chance to shine in front of a passionate crowd.
Keep an eye on the Hagerty UK website for ticket details and updates, and sign up to receive the latest information. It promises to be a truly memorable day at Grimsthorpe Castle, celebrating the extraordinary in the most unexceptional of vehicles.
Mark Your Calendar
Make sure to save the date for what promises to be another extraordinary edition of the Hagerty Festival of the Unexceptional at Grimsthorpe Castle on Saturday, 26th July 2025. Whether you’re a car enthusiast, a family looking for a fun day out, or simply someone with a passion for nostalgia, this is one event you won’t want to miss.
