MUNDANE MOTORING SHOW

A RESTORED and truly unexceptional 1977 Chrysler Alpine – one of just 13 such cars remaining in the UK – took the ‘Best in Show’ prize at the fifth Hagerty Festival of the Unexceptional (FOTU), in July.

A 1981 Datsun Bluebird, 1982 Fiat Strada and 1979 Vauxhall Cavalier were also deserved prize winners at this popular event, attended by a record crowd to see Europe’s largest gathering of uncelebrated, mundane vehicles set within the magnificent grounds of Stowe House, Buckingham.

A number of car makers got into the spirit of the event. Mitsubishi displayed a 1974 Colt 2-door press car; Toyota stumped up a 1967 Corona; Audi showed off its 1971 80 Estate; Vauxhall had a 1971 Viscount PC.

Hagerty International created the FOTU five years ago for some of the most popular and best loved vehicles of our recent motoring past. Now the event is a focal point for the core enthusiasts who take pride in their rare and long-forgotten everyday family cars from 1968-1989.

Unexceptional models vying for title of Best in Show included an original 1979 Citroen GS X3, a 1975 Volvo 66 GL saloon, an as-new 1971 Fiat 125, a 1982-built Ford Sierra 1.6L and a very beige 1975 Austin Allegro 1100 with sticky PVC brown interior trim.

After a session of deliberation, the six judges emerged and the winners were announced to a large, expectant and sun-tanned crowd, with the 2018 Hagerty Festival of the Unexceptional winners being as follows:

Best in Show: 1977 Chrysler Alpine

Second Place: 1981 Datsun Bluebird GL

People’s Choice: 1982 Fiat Strada 65CL

Junior Judges Choice: 1979 Vauxhall Cavalier L 2-door saloon

The winning 1977 Chrysler Alpine was an exceptional example of the truly unexceptional car, that was a sales flop against the Ford Cortina, Vauxhall Cavalier and Morris Marina.

The second-placed Datsun Bluebird was unremarkable in every way, with entrant Kev Curtis and a couple of mates getting into the spirit of the event by dressing-up as dodgy used car dealers.

Angus Forsyth, Managing Director, Hagerty International Limited, said, “We wanted to create the ultimate automotive nostalgia trip and elevate the standing of these unexceptional and longforgotten vehicles that used to form an important part of every British high street but have all but now disappeared. continue.”