Grimsthorpe Castle | 28 July 2025 — Proof that nostalgia comes in beige, brushed velour and plastic wheel trims, the 11th edition of the Hagerty Festival of the Unexceptional returned to Grimsthorpe Castle this past Saturday with its largest and liveliest celebration yet. Thousands gathered under wide Lincolnshire skies to honour the unsung heroes of everyday motoring—cars once overlooked, now adored in their honest, humble simplicity.
At the heart of this enthusiast-fuelled affair stood the Concours de L’Ordinaire, a tongue-in-cheek yet fiercely contested showpiece for the most immaculately preserved, lovingly restored and gloriously unremarkable cars of the post-1970 era. From superminis to saloons, every car had a story, and every owner beamed with pride.
Championing the Unloved: A Skoda Steals the Show
This year’s overall winner was a stunningly standard 1992 Skoda Favorit Forum, rescued from the brink of scrappage by 22-year-old Simon Packowski. Aged just two years older than his car, Simon’s dedication impressed both judges and showgoers. With no radio, zero frills, and authentic showroom condition, the Favorit triumphed in its category—and beyond. So exceptional was its unexceptionality, it scooped both First Place and the coveted People’s Choice Award.
Packowski’s painstaking restoration included a 1,000-mile round trip to source original headrests and meticulous work to overcome a blown head gasket. It was a car that once filled Eastern Bloc roads in droves—today, it’s a national treasure.
Second and Third: The Ford That Escaped Destruction, and a French Survivor
Runner-up honours went to Callum Bailey and his 1999 Ford Mondeo, a car just moments away from a brutal banger racing fate. Snatched from the jaws of oblivion and given a £6,000 reprieve, this humble red base model turned heads with its revival story—and its enduring simplicity.
In third place, Andy Smith’s canary yellow 1979 Citroën Visa Club drew admiration for its rarity and immaculate finish. One of only three remaining in the UK, it stood as a bold reminder of France’s oddball engineering—delightfully eccentric and unmistakably FOTU.
Celebrating the Ordinary, Unusually Well
Beyond the concours, the festival offered an unmatched gathering of once-everyday icons: from Ladas and Maxis to Datsuns and Trabants. Show parking stretched as far as the eye could see, with every vehicle more mundane—and more magnificent—than the last. Highlights included a base-model Granada Mk1 2.0 L, complete with manual gearbox and showroom shine, and a trio of identical Talbot Solaras belonging to enthusiast Lucas Split, who made a 1,000-mile journey just to be part of the spectacle.
Special commendations from the judges also went to:
- Glyn Hayler and his functional Fiat Multipla
- Paul Frost with a pristine Bedford Rascal
- Matthew Coleman and his well-kept Rover 214si
- Jason Crawley for his immaculate Citroën Berlingo van
Meanwhile, the British Motor Museum joined the celebration with a selection of British Leyland prototypes that never quite made it. The futuristic 1981 ECV3, 1969 Mini 9X hatchback, and 1975 Triumph SD2 drew crowds and sparked conversation about what could have been.
Their own “Car of the Show” accolade went to Stephen Tearle for his lovingly preserved Nissan Micra 1.0 Celebration, a one-family-from-new gem that spoke volumes about enduring family connections and the value of preservation.
Big Personalities and Bigger Smiles
Adding to the event’s charm were main stage appearances from podcasting duo Smith and Sniff—aka Jonny Smith and Richard Porter—who brought laughs, games, and enthusiast insight with their irreverent take on motoring culture. Joining them on stage were motoring favourites Paul Cowland and Charlotte Vowden, lending further celebrity flair to a celebration grounded in simplicity.
A Festival With Heart—and a Growing Movement
Speaking at the event, Mark Roper, Managing Director of Hagerty International, reflected on the festival’s evolution:
“Over the past 11 years we’ve watched FOTU-era cars gain respect as true classics. Their affordability, relatability and rarity speak to a growing audience of younger enthusiasts who cherish what others once discarded. At Hagerty, we’re proud to lead this grassroots celebration of automotive authenticity.”
With its expanding global audience and increasing cultural relevance, the Festival of the Unexceptional proves once more that you don’t need 12 cylinders or coachbuilt curves to make automotive history—you just need a perfectly average car, an above-average story, and the right place to share it.
