Morris Marina wins grand title
The Festival of the Unexceptional celebrates the most mundane cars ever made. reports.
It’s been a while since the Morris Marina has won top prize at a major motor show. If that has ever happened at all. But a bright blue 1977 Marina estate has been named Best in Show at the 2019 Festival of the Unexceptional (FOTU) at Claydon House in Buckinghamshire, Great Britain.
Now in its sixth year, FOTU has achieved cult status and global fame among car enthusiasts. Founded and still run by classic car insurer Hagerty, it aims to showcase the most mundane cars ever built.
The event highlights the attrition rate of some of the most popular and best-loved vehicles of the recent motoring past, with the show now becoming a focal point for the core enthusiasts who take real pride in their rare and long-forgotten everyday family cars of the 1968-1989 ‘‘unexceptional era’’.
‘‘There is no shortage . . . of car shows and Concours d’Ele´ gance that showcase the best examples of some of the finest cars ever,’’ says Hagerty’s Marcus Atkinson.
‘‘While Aston Martin DB5s and Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts can be rather common at these events, just try spotting an Austin Montego or a Morris Marina on the show field.’’
Fifty expertly selected unexceptional models were presented at FOTU 2019.
Highlights included a 1992 Renault Clio 1.4 RT, in showroom condition. Another popular entrant was a 1987 Rover 820E, suggested to be the very last model of its type remaining on United Kingdom roads.
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.
Slightly rarer models included a 1971 Fiat 128, 1979 Colt Sigma and a 1973 Toyota Crown Custom estate.
The Best in Show-winning 1977 Marina Estate was a true example of base specification, providing an honest interpretation of 1970s family motoring.
Its previous owner had partrestored an Alfa Romeo 2300 Rio, a 50th Anniversary Saab 900 Turbo, a British Gas Transit 4x4, an immaculate original Volkswagen Golf GL, a rare Renault 25 LWB limousine, a Rover SD1 that had travelled from Ireland and a number of historic vehicles provided by manufacturers.
‘‘What a delight it is to present cars that evoke so many memories to so many people, and to reward the enthusiasts who spend precious time and money on keeping the more ordinary classics on the road,’’ says Atkinson.
‘‘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.
‘‘Great cars and great memories, a meeting of like-minded people who appreciate that unexceptional is a term of endearment and not derogatory.
‘‘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.’’
Best in Show: