The intriguing Festival of the Unexceptional is so much more than merely the Concours de l’Ordinaire. Sure, those are the lead roles – the stars! But there are some truly fantastic characters in the supporting roles too.
While Dave has already reported in great depth on the general concept of Hagerty’s brilliant Festival of the Unexceptional, and in particular on the starladen concours at their fifth running of this event, I can assure all of our readers that all three ViaRETRO attendees – Dave, Claus and myself – were equally impressed with vast turnout of yesterday’s heroes in the field behind the concours. These may only have been supporting roles, but there was real talent to be found in the classic car park…
Dave of course already touched on the subject, but it’s the weirdest thing how cars produced in the millions, all of which were merely used as tools in order to get from A to B, are now so much rarer than expensive, luxurious and sporting automobiles from the same period. When did you last see a Simca 1204 or a Fiat 128 estate? It’s been a while, hasn’t it? Well I saw one of each just last Saturday, both in immaculate condition, and both casually parked up on the lawn in front of Stowe House.
I could go on and on listing models long since forgotten. Forgotten despite the fact that we all have some sort of relation to them. Simply because these were the everyday heroes of yesterday. The hard working, ordinary saloons, hatchbacks and estates which we took for granted. And now they’re all but gone…
There were of course some that stood out more than others. But as this isn’t a game of horsepower, low-production numbers or market value, it all becomes quite a sentimental thing choosing your personal favorites. It’s all based on our memories and experiences back when these cars were new. The one your uncle drove? Or the one your family virtually lived in on holidays to the south year after year? Or maybe your own very first car?
Highlights for me were a Talbot Samba parked up next to a very early, pale yellow Austin Metro. The pair just looked brilliant together. The same could be said about the three red 80’s Mazda’s, where especially the tiny 121 sporting cool JDM alloys looked particularly good. And the Unexceptional was a perfect opportunity for me to bask in all the glory of my JDM obsession. I realize that many classic car enthusiasts would immediately turn their nose up at the late 70’s Nissan Cherry estate, but I was drawn in by its metallic blue paintwork and its perfect blandness. So much so that I seriously considered it as the car I most wanted to take with me home.
But then Claus’ Volvo-induced childhood got the better of him and I was violently dragged over to a beautifully unmolested mid-80’s Volvo 240 GLT in silver with plenty of black plastic, a chin-spoiler and factory 5-spoke alloys. Granted, it did look amazing in all its square-cut splendor. But I was interrupted again – this time by Dave who was rather excited about a Cavalier of all things. Amidst all of Dave’s blabbering I caught on to something about the SRi being relatively common, while this, the earlier carbureted SR, was ultra-rare! The light green metallic looked fab, as did the rubber boot-spoiler, the glass pop-up sunroof, and not least the oh-so-eighties Hella-injected grill. Yup, this was a Cavalier which I would be immensely proud to own…
An early Citroën Visa proudly displayed a significant amount of patina, and an early 80’s Hyundai Stellar looked utterly original – except for the huge lump of Rover V8 hiding under its bonnet! Oh, and when did you last see a Matra Rancho? But then it was as if the world stopped turning as I stood mesmerized in front of a beautifully presented Nissan Prairie 1.8SGL in red over a two-tone brown interior – complete with a brown plastic dashboard and even a brown plastic steering wheel. Honestly, you would perhaps struggle to find a car any less remarkable. But it perfectly sums up a bygone era, and it immediately filled me with memories, nostalgia and emotions. The rare and period correct Dunlop JDM alloys really tickled my fancy, but it was the utterly bonkers door arrangement which really blew my mind. With the front doors open and the sliding rear doors ditto, the great big gaping hole left in the side of the car was just insane. With the doors open either side of the car, one could marvel over the strengthening which must be present to prevent the car from collapsing in the middle. This was it – my personal Unexceptional choice of the day.
As Dave already made clear in his report from the concours, Hagerty’s Festival of the Unexceptional is a truly fascinating event. It’s very much at odds with what most classic car meets and shows attempt to achieve – and it’s all the better for it! There’s only one downside – since returning home from Stowe House, I’ve had a severe hankering for something unexceptional of my own. I found an early Honda Accord which tempted me. Then I came across a Fiat Regata. Wow! Now that’s unexceptional. Sadly, the example I found was ruled out by needing a whole lot of tlc. It’s not so much that it would be financial suicide, but more that I simply don’t have the time nor the space for any more projects right now. But if I could only find a clean unmolested example, then my ride to next year’s Festival would be secure…
