Event Festival of the Unexceptional, 22 July 2017

[chaseracer]

...SF '15... I came anyway and drowned my sorrows...

 

You certainly did!! 

[4wheeledstool]

20170722_125640.jpg

Quite impressive

 

The Renault 12 at the front right lives local to me, I often see it out and about in Northwich. The cheerful giffer at the helm gives me a wave if I'm in the spaz chariot blue Cavalier.

[mat_the_cat]

You certainly did!! 

 

I blame the lack of sleep...

 

Back now after a great day - I disappeared during once of the rainstorms so I was disappointed to miss the Little Chef visit.

 

Bizarrely it's better weather in Wales!

 

[dollywobbler]

A mere like is not enough for that pic!

[egg]

^^ 2018 calendar please!

[RobT]

Fantastic event, I'm glad I made the effort to attend this year.

 

One of the highlights for me was dollywobbler's sunroof getting stuck open in a downpour. I don't feel guilty saying that as he managed to fix it in the end!

 

 

I also spotted Mr_Bo11ox's 623GSi on the way out, shame I didn't get the chance to speak to the shite whisperer himself.

 

[Mr_Bo11ox]

I arrived at 2pm, I stood chatting while some prizes were dished out, then there was a friggin monsoon so I took shelter in Hirst's Honda Quintet. By the time the rain eased off, most cars had left! So I saw about 5% of everything. Seems like my idea of the perfect car show though. Some really fantastic motors.

[bramz7]

 

 

 

 

Not a bad show at all! Met/saw so many people, shame that the weather did eventually go nuts but hey ho. 

 

 

Also I have mega want for a 505 now.

 

 

[Vin]

Fiat 128 Estate??...need more info (preferably in the form of photographs)

[Dick Cheeseburger]

Why is everything so bloody far from Cornwall?! Looks like an impressive turnout!

[Spottedlaurel]

A truly excellent day out. Fantastic selection of cars and great company.

 

 

The weather was pretty good for 75% of the event. Nice location too.

 

 

Steps up to the school gave a good vantage point for this sort of thing.

 

 

The winning cars, with former ASer Mash's lovely Sunny getting the top spot.

 

 

Little Chef selection, something of a theme.

 

The highlight of the day for me was the people, especially from the early days of this place. At various points we had past and present members Hirst, Wuvvum, Mash, Reallyloud, MrBo11ox, Ratdat and (reputedly) Pogweasel circulating the field. Great to catch up with newer forum friends and also make some new acquaintances. Very sorry that the Sierra Base couldn't be there, however.

 

I should also mention that the 1200 did a great job getting me there and back. It must have been its longest journey for many years and it sat on the dual carriageways quite happily, despite much of the driving being done in fairly miserable, wet conditions. To finish the day off on a high I even managed to drive back on my favourite stretch of road between Higham Ferrers and St Neots (a journey undertaken in many different Datsuns over the years, on the way to/from Billing).

[Vin]

I've always fancied this. Tis a bit too far for the 900T in a day trip. Now the 127 Fiorino will be more than capable. Next year would be a good target for getting it all sorted...

[flat4alfa]

Well it looks like this thread might finally get ruined with a bulk photo blast  

 

Arrived gone midday in the VX 4/90, and apart from one shower, the expected deluge held off right until Danny Hopkins finished reading the awards from the steps of the house.  Even had some sunshine for a bit, so took some photos.

 

Other celebs in attendance were a Nick Larkin pawing over the Vauxhall, who asked to run an article on it in Classic Car Weekly...  Plenty of other recognisable faces amongst the other staffers from the classic press - oh and Ed China was there too.

 

Did spend some while annoying both Dan Hirstcabs and his Quintet, also the Delta and 132. Great to meet Hirst and Ian Dollywobbler amongst others.  Do not paint!  that Bluebird.  Was a bit overwhelmed by it all and it was a rush to get to see front and rear of the house and get about.  Other highlights include 3 Stellas in a row, 2 green Avenger Estates in a row, that Royale and my old Trevi looking shiny shiny

 

Some photos of the Concours d'Ordinaire:

 

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

[flat4alfa]

Some photos of the chod park who may have been deemed not worthy of concours, but were in the end only separated by a half-arsed picket fence:

   

   

   

   

   

   

[flat4alfa]

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   
 

[flat4alfa]

Some other 'interestings' in the public car park

   

   

   

   

   

  

 

 

 Awards gathering followed by the expected deluge that waited until right after the last few breaths - then most folks cleared-off

   

 

 

Sat out the rain in one of the BetaBoys' Lancia Betas for a bit until it calmed, then dashed home as wife rang, all grumpy.  Up front was Danny Hopkins in his Avantime (following a RAC van, handy).

 

 

 

Note to organisers:

 

Do it again!

But not on a Saturday, please!

Make it 9am - 6pm

At least let us use the toilets in the house as after all you gave us a pass to get in there!  What did you think we were - Peasants?  Oh yes of course -  good point.  Sorry.

[Noel Tidybeard]

why is there a man standing next to mr cylinders visa urinating into an mgb?

[AlabamaShrimp]

Why are the pics so small? They don't get bigger when pressed!!

[flat4alfa]

Why are the pics so small? They don't get bigger when pressed!!

 

Eh?  They are thumbnails to the larger image.  After the Photobucket debacle, hot links are best avoided

 

Are you on a phone or summat?

 

 

---

edit: just noticed Chrome is playing up.  Opening up in IE works proper, every click.  Now, that's a first.

 

[KWhite]

Looks like a fantastic show, I'll be giving it a look next year!

[quicksilver]

Ah, so the VX4/90 is yours - I remembered it was a shiter's but couldn't remember the username. Some of those things in the public car park were definitely deserving of the chod park (that R25 for one) and I'm sure they would have been allowed in so it's a shame they were relegated to the boring bit. We ended up following that Bristol home - they really are very strange cars indeed.

[quicksilver]

My little review is here: http://rustyoldrubbish.blogspot.co.uk/2017/07/an-unexceptional-new-venue.html

I still haven't even started sorting out my photos - I borrowed my sister's SLR and took hundreds so it'll take a while!

[RayMK]

Sadly, I kept getting distracted and did not get close to either of the Maxis.  Did the Simca 1100 estate engine sound like a Simca?  I miss their terminal sounding top end rattles which surprisingly did not blunt performance* or reduce engine life.  I hired a hatchback version in the 1980s or 90s and rather liked it.  Nice write-up, and yes, the contrast between the upper crust setting and the humble vehicles worked very well.

[AlabamaShrimp]

Eh? They are thumbnails to the larger image. After the Photobucket debacle, hot links are best avoided

 

Are you on a phone or summat?

 

 

---

edit: just noticed Chrome is playing up. Opening up in IE works proper, every click. Now, that's a first.

 

Yeah I'm on my phone. The default Samsung browser. Click on a photo and it just opens a blank window.

[dollywobbler]

Here's the best shot of the weekend. Contains Hirst. You can have fun guessing which one.

 

Sunroof 'fixed.' I lost track of who lent me the umbrella. Thanks!

 

GORGEOUSNESS

 

A soggy drive.

[BorniteIdentity]

That yellow Micra was in the tat thread last year I'm sure. Both Skizzer and I considered it. Gr9 to see it out.

 

Sorry the Sierra didn't make it. Not quite sure where to visit next now our set piece event has been and gone.

[phil_lihp]

It's a shame I had to bail out (again) on this as it looked ace, I'll make do with the photos for now though so thanks for all those.

 

Absolutely love the colour of the little Datsun, is that factory original?  

[dollywobbler]

Yes, Micra was purchased last year and it does seem to be an original colour, seemingly for Nissan's 50 year anniversary.

[Six-cylinder]

Yes, Micra was purchased last year and it does seem to be an original colour, seemingly for Nissan's 50 year anniversary.

 

He also has a Mitsouka Viewt

[ianbmw]

Evening All, brilliant feedback and thank you all for coming and your patience at the gate! I had the joy of trying to park the 820 modern vehicles and trying to figure out, A what language they were speaking and B if they were there for the School, the house, the wedding or the Unexceptional! So yes I was the handsome Hagerty employee on the gate upsetting TVR and 911 owners!

 

I must stress that we want the classic car park to be full of equally unexceptional vehicles, we did choose 5 from the car park as wild cards for the concourse, the super low mileage Peugeot saloon being my choice.

 

Any feedback or suggestions, please message me!

 

P.S I am an old car enthusiast, I enjoy my job but I won't answer any insurance questions on forums, I just want to talk about cars!

 

 

 

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