Shows 2016: Festival of the Unexceptional from Hagerty

[reanimation-films]

Did anyone go to this last year or previously?

 

I'd love to support it but not enjoying the longer trips out these days, its 310 m round trip.

 

I do love the idea though, i discovered it after it happened last year.

 

 

CELEBRATE YOUR UNEXCEPTIONAL CAR!

Festival of the Unexceptional: A Concours de l’Ordinaire, brought to you by Hagerty

Saturday 23rd July 2016 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Fed up of car shows full of unobtainable million-pound Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Astons? Celebrate the normal cars instead: praise the Princess, glorify the Granada, applaud the Allegro and cheer the Chevette! Come and salute the best examples of the most ordinary cars of late 1960s through to mid-1980s Britain.

https://www.hagertyinsurance.co.uk/articles-and-resources/events/festival-of-the-unexceptional

[beko1987]

That's not far from me with an NN postcode, but my car's too new

[NorfolkNWeigh]

I went and had a look last year, there were some very nice cars there , but only about 25 of them and that probably included the older stuff in the carpark.

There was one kiosk selling teas( no beer or food to be had) and after 15 minutes and a chat with AngryDicky who had his Maestro and VX in attendance , The Management suggested* we should leave in search of a nice pub.

Others may have a different opinion but unless you're tying it in with a visit to the Classic Festival next door it might not be worth a 300 mile round trip.

[Six-cylinder]

I may pop in because I am local but to me there is still an emphasis on immaculate condition, rather than in use never mind the warts.

[Guest Breadvan72]

ORL my craz R 2 bling 4 this.

[HMC]

Sounds like a corporate shitefest to me, although thier mid 80s cut off means the true disappearing " unexceptional" street furniture of the late 80s/ 90s lots of us love would be excluded

[Mr_Bo11ox]

I think Ratdat had his Alfa Arna in this one year and was quite complimentary about it. I wouldn't mind having a look along

[beko1987]

It shows that 80's cars are now becoming classics, with 90's cars still being referred to as just old chod.

 

Everythings moved forward a decade! Next decade 90's cars will be OMGCLASSICS

[NorfolkNWeigh]

I think Ratdat had his Alfa Arna in this one year and was quite complimentary about it. I wouldn't mind having a look along

He would say that, he won the first one!

Photo by Quicksilver, stolen from this thread ;

http://autoshite.com/topic/17640-festival-of-the-unexceptional/

[Spottedlaurel]

The Laurel would fit the bill nicely, and that’s a week or two before we’re on holiday so it’s very feasible.

[panhard65]

I had a look at the link and I don't think I will bother as they only want fully restored to near new condition. The fact that my 204 diesel is probably the only one in the country doesnt seem to matter.

[reanimation-films]

I went and had a look last year, there were some very nice cars there , but only about 25 of them and that probably included the older stuff in the carpark.

There was one kiosk selling teas( no beer or food to be had) and after 15 minutes and a chat with AngryDicky who had his Maestro and VX in attendance , The Management suggested* we should leave in search of a nice pub.

Others may have a different opinion but unless you're tying it in with a visit to the Classic Festival next door it might not be worth a 300 mile round trip.

 Ah! Sounds a bit of a little thing, not worth the journey maybe then. Thank you.

 

Thanks for the comments could be fun for those attending.

[reanimation-films]

I may pop in because I am local but to me there is still an emphasis on immaculate condition, rather than in use never mind the warts.

A few have mentioned this, a pity they are looking for showroom condition rather than survivors, quite a niche showcase then, all of mine too grubby!

 

Need a Fandango Bumface Stand at Chumly castle instead then... Do we still attend Cholmondely?

[skattrd]

.............

 

Need a Fandango Bumface Stand at Chumly castle instead then... Do we still attend Cholmondely?

 

Yes, quite a big turnout the last few years

[reanimation-films]

Yes, quite a big turnout the last few years

I will have to keep an eye on here this year then!

[strangeangel]

The condition of the vehicle must be as good as new where possible.

 

 

Missing the point much?

[mat_the_cat]

it might not be worth a 300 mile round trip.

I can testify that it's definitely not worth a 400 mile round trip on the day after the show

[hairnet]

I was happy to overlook the long distance, harsh age/condition cut-off and the freemason-style car entry system. However, the encouragement of period-appropriate "fancy dress" pushed me over the edge. Sorry.

 

Reanimarktion, you should come to the Thornes Park show in July. There's all sorts of old nonsense and they even lay on free refreshments:

i did that - well worth it

 

dan remind when again??

[Captain Slow]

I've been a judge at this event since its inception, and Dugong joined me on the judging panel last year. It's a concours event, so yes, restored or good original cars are what we'd like to see. But ultimately it's about the rare chod that's forgotten by everyone except us, and about the cars that make us think "Christ, when did I last see one of those?"

 

 

It's usually toward the end of July, if anyone wants to come. Oh, and for the right, interesting car, the cutoff date can be slightly overlooked...

[Angrydicky]

Yep, as NorfolknWeigh alluded to, I attended this last year with the Maestro and my (now Skizzer's) FE 2300S.

 

Yes, the actual number of cars in the proper show bit was small. Places were limited to 50 to start with but I'm led to believe some people booked then pulled out at the last minute. Bit of a shame really. However, the public car park bit was full of interesting cars, a lot more than were in the actual show - and as they were right next to each other, it made for a good event with some real variety.

 

Yes, Hagerty do want exceptional examples for the show. Were either of my cars concours? No, far from it, just tidy well-cared for examples. Most of the cars there were understandably very smart.

 

As for people wondering if it's worth going, I'd say 100%. Firstly, it's a fantastic venue on some posh golf club that Hagerty are obviously paying a fair bit to hire. Exhibitors get a complimentary tea/coffee/bacon roll, window sticker, and a lanyard with your name on it. Oh, did I mention it's completely free?

 

I was interviewed by two quite well known journos while I was there; primarily, this is to publicise Hagerty insurance and get some press coverage about these forgotten family cars of yesteryear. I think the cutoff was 1984, which suited me perfectly. I understand people complaining there was a lack of unusual 1990s cars, well yes, but this event is (mainly) about 1970s and 1980s motors. It made for a really nice selection, with the exception of the Alfa Spider and Morris Minor that managed to sneak in! The Volvo 440 was a bit new, as well, as Captain Slow mentions, they're not too hot on policing the age of the car.

 

The best thing about this event was how laid back and friendly it was. Everyone there was into proper unloved old motors - the essence of AS. They had to be, or they wouldn't have made the effort to attend. So no geezers fawning over sporty MK2 Escorts, no E-types, Stags or MGBs. Just a genuine shared interest in what I consider to be proper autoshite cars. Because it was small, it gave more time for people to chat to each other. I was able to talk to a few 'shiters during the course of the morning, and it was really very enjoyable! As for the fancy dress, well I dressed up as a 1980s OAP for driving the Maestro, complete with trilby and walking stick. Unfortunately, I was unable to locate my tweed jacket and was forced to wear a kind of brown suede one, which meant the inevitable George Cole/Arthur Daley comments! So yes, in summary, go. It's brilliant, and I would be up for displaying again, but due to limited places it only seems fair to let other people have a chance at actually displaying in the 'arena'.

[trigger]

I'm quite tempted to apply the Dolomite in for it.

[RayMK]

I attended last year and would agree with Angrydicky's summary.  The shiny cars were nice, but the general parking area was immediately adjacent and full of interesting stuff.  There was also the occasional glimpse of Practical Classics celebrities.  I spotted a Nick Larkin and his (I think) Maestro.  The atmosphere was informal and friendly.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

It sounds great, I think i will drag Mrs_Crab along to this one. She'll be interested if there are some funny characters and good paint colours!!!!!

[Guest Breadvan72]

I am not far from Northants.  I have sent them pics of my Dolly, pointing out that although it's the top model not the base one it represents the aspirations of the 70s family dude, and also pics of the SD1, pointing out that it has never been restored and isn't a V8.

[mat_the_cat]

Wonder if they want a (slightly non-original) Stellar?

[dollywobbler]

Wonder if they want a (slightly non-original) Stellar?

 

Don't tell them. Then say the bonnet catch is broken. Sorted.

[Alexg]

...before donutting around the field.

[Ratdat]

It's good. It is a concours so yes, they want really tidy cars if possible... which is the whole point of a concours. Not much point in criticizing the event because you can't enter your old knacker. That's like complaining that you can't enter your daily driver late 90's shitbox in the London to Brighton veteran car run. It should be applauded that there's anyone willing to do an event for cars like this, vested interest or not.

 

The small nature of it works for me as you get plenty of time to chat with people without missing anything, plus you can bugger off for a late pub lunch in the afternoon before heading home. I might enter something again this year but I think I'll still go have a look even if I don't. I'd like to enter a Prairie but I'd have to get them to accept one well outside of the cutoff. They did that for the Cherry so maybe?

[reanimation-films]

I was happy to overlook the long distance, harsh age/condition cut-off and the freemason-style car entry system. However, the encouragement of period-appropriate "fancy dress" pushed me over the edge. Sorry.

 

Reanimarktion, you should come to the Thornes Park show in July. There's all sorts of old nonsense and they even lay on free refreshments:

 

 

Thank you, good call that, I've managed to miss it for years. Usually a Friday or something? will look out for that.

[reanimation-films]

It's good. It is a concours so yes, they want really tidy cars if possible... which is the whole point of a concours. Not much point in criticizing the event because you can't enter your old knacker. That's like complaining that you can't enter your daily driver late 90's shitbox in the London to Brighton veteran car run. It should be applauded that there's anyone willing to do an event for cars like this, vested interest or not.

 

The small nature of it works for me as you get plenty of time to chat with people without missing anything, plus you can bugger off for a late pub lunch in the afternoon before heading home. I might enter something again this year but I think I'll still go have a look even if I don't. I'd like to enter a Prairie but I'd have to get them to accept one well outside of the cutoff. They did that for the Cherry so maybe?

Good points. I must admit I'm enjoying smaller events recently, probably part of having a small sprog now! Also part of the reason I'm being selective about longer trips.

 

It is great these events are put together and theres a place for concours certainly, always good to remember what they were meant to look like, especially good to see rarer forgotten stuff.