The celebration of the best-kept mundane motors: Take a look round the Festival of the Unexceptional - the classic car show for drab heroes of days gone by
- Festival of the Unexceptional is now in its sixth year - the event was a sell-out over the weekend
- While most car shows are about inexplicably expensive exotica, this is focused on common models
- Only cars from 1968 to 1989 are allowed to enter, most of which were popular in their day but rarely seen now
- Take a trip down memory lane by checking out the images of the 2019 event held on Saturday
When you think of car shows you automatically imagine spotless Ferraris, polished Lamborghinis and a feast of the most exotic and rare machines ever made.
The Festival of the Unexceptional isn't that kind of show. Instead it celebrates some of the blandest, ugliest and underwhelming vehicles from history that have - for one reason or another - been lovingly kept by owners.
Last weekend, thousands of ordinary-car enthusiasts came together at the sell-out event held at Claydon House in Buckinghamshire to admire a range of models most of us would probably ignore.
However, scan through the images from Saturday's display and you're bound to come across something that will jog the memory.
A car show with a difference: This is the Festival of the Unexceptional - an annual motor event celebrating relatively mundane common models from the past that have been lovingly restored and retained
This is the sixth installment of the Festival of the Unexceptional, hosted by classic vehicle insurance and valuation specialists Hagerty International.
The show has become a focal point for core enthusiasts who take an astounding level of pride in their long-forgotten everyday family cars that were produced during an 'unexceptional era' from 1968 to 1989.
No fewer than 50 expertly selected models were presented at this year's showcase of ordinary machines - all of which have been kept or refurbished to a staggering degree.
Instead of one-of-a-kind Aston Martins or multi-million-pound Bugattis, highlights of the show included a 1992 Renault Clio 1.4 RT in showroom condition and showing just 24,000 miles since new.
Instead of one-of-a-kind Aston Martins or multi-million-pound Bugattis, highlights of the show included a 1992 Renault Clio 1.4 RT
It's the only motor show you're likely to attend where a Volvo 240GL is being admired by a group of onlookers
The Vauxhall Cavalier was one of the rep cars of the 1990s. They weren't particularly appreciated back then, but some people still love them
Another popular entrant was a 1987 Rover 820E, suggested to be the very last model of its type remaining on UK roads.
This tends to be the case for many of the vehicles that were on view.
A 1980 Ford Cortina 2.0 L - in meticulous condition - was another notable highlight of the show in 2019
Want to go to an event to appreciate an Austin Metro? Then this is the car show for you
The unexceptional era of 1968 to 1989 is celebrated at the event. A whole host of Vauxhall Astras were in attendance
Cars that used to be mainstream, but are now a rarity, included a 1989 Vauxhall Cavalier 2.0i CD, a 1985 Nissan Sunny 1.5 GL and a 1980 Ford Cortina 2.0 L were also on display.
Slightly rarer models included a 1971 Fiat 128, 1979 Colt Sigma and a 1973 Toyota Crown Custom Estate.
But none of these were crowned Best in Show for 2019.
Event winners: Best in Show was this 1977 Morris Marina 1.3 Deluxe Estate owned by Michael Carpenter (centre); Runner-up was a 1978 Chevette E owned by Philip Hunt (left); People's Choice was this 1982 Peugeot 305 SR Estate owned by Simon Gaisford (right)
For one reason or another, owners have an affiliation with their far-from-exotic cars. This owner was pictured proudly wiping down his Citroen BX taxi
Most of the cars on display are in meticulous condition, even if they're models you wouldn't necessarily class as collectible
That gong went to a mint condition 1977 Morris Marina 1.3 Deluxe Estate owned by Michael Carpenter which was described as 'a true example of base specification, providing an honest interpretation of seventies family motoring'.
The previous owner had already mostly restored the car - and lost a finger in the process of the rebuild - but then stored it for 15 years in a shed.
The runner up was a 1978 Chevette E while the people's choice - selected by show-goers - was a 1982 Peugeot 305 SR Estate.
This Austin Metro is another example of a vehicle you wouldn't expect to find at a car show
Maestro: It's almost impossible to look around the vehicles on display without reminiscing
Many of the vehicles being showcased would have been popular in their heyday but have now dwindled down to small numbers, such as this beautfully retained Citroen BX Estate
Marcus Atkinson, of Hagerty International, said it was a 'delight to present cars that evoke so many memories to so many people' and a great opportunity to 'reward the enthusiasts who spend precious time and money on keeping the more ordinary classics on the road'.
'As you walk around the lawns you overhear guests saying, "my Dad had one of those" or "we went on our summer holiday in that" and that's why we do what we do,' he added.
'Great cars and great memories, a meeting of like-minded people who appreciate that unexceptional is a term of endearment and not derogatory.
The event was a sell-out this year, with the show gaining a bigger following each year since it originated in 2014. This beige Ford Fiesta, stood next to a rally-edition Talbot, is a prime example of what you should expect to find at the event
Collectors had the opportunity to come together to discuss their oddball vehicles
Rovers were popular at the event, given how common models like the 200 were during the era celebrated at the festival
'Hagerty created FOTU six years ago and we now have a sell-out event that attracts guests from around the world.
'While we have admiration and passion for all classic car owners and events, FOTU is truly special… more family gathering than sterile show, it brings people together.
'We have no rules, no boundaries and light-hearted judging which makes everyone smile and enjoy the event. Car concours don't have to be stuffy and boring.'
Each car showcased was hand picked by organisers to ensure there was a range of vehicles on show from the era
The car park was filled with cars from the same era. Show goers could spend as much time milling around here as well as the 50 vehicles on display
Some of the cars on display were relatively rare when they were new, like this Yugo Tempo convertible
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