BICESTER MOTION (July 27, 2026) – The 12th annual Hagerty Festival of the Unexceptional (FOTU) took place at Grimsthorpe Castle on Saturday, marking its largest turnout to date. Tickets sold out well in advance, with 4,500 fans of mundane automobiles gathering to check out 2,500 of the world’s most basic rides.

Hagerty proved once again that ordinary cars command an extraordinary fanbase. Attendees from across the globe admired not only the 50 featured vehicles selected for the prestigious Concours de l’Ordinaire, but also a massive sea of thousands of everyday commuter cars driven in by fans, spilling all the way down the castle’s main driveway.

Scattered among the Ladas, Yugos, and Austins were several ultra-rare bare-bones models, including a Fiat Strada convertible, a Talbot Tagora, and multiple Citroën LNAs. Parked alongside them were obscure classics that only true automotive historians could appreciate, such as a Toyota Corona Mark II pickup and an immaculate Ford Sierra Sapphire 2.3d GL diesel sedan.

Hagerty launched the original Festival of the Unexceptional back in 2014 to celebrate long-forgotten, entry-level family cars and base-trim commuter models. Now covering vehicles from the 1970s through the early 2000s, the festival draws enthusiasts of all ages—including a huge wave of younger car lovers. For most participants, it is a true labor of love; owners regularly invest thousands of hours and dollars into restoring these vehicles, often spending far more than the cars are actually worth.

The standout entries were showcased on the front lawn of Grimsthorpe Castle for the Concours de l’Ordinaire—a curated group of 50 pristine examples of surviving everyday vehicles. This year’s judging panel featured automotive journalists and personalities Steve Cropley, Steph Hoy, Richard Bremner, Jesse Billington, Antony Ingram, Gary Axon, and Jon Bentley. Following some spirited debate, the judges crowned this year’s winners:

  • 3rd Place: Awarded to Jake Seddon and his 2001 Ford Focus. The car was originally purchased by his grandfather, restored by his father, and is now preserved by Jake. He displayed the car with family photographs, proudly holding one of his grandfather while accepting his trophy. Judges praised its exceptional condition and deep family ties, calling it a prime example of the FOTU mission: keeping a car on the road that most people would have simply scrapped.
  • 2nd Place: Went to Matt Swinn’s ultra-rare 1992 Toyota Previa minivan. Matt still uses the Previa as a daily workhorse, using it to haul his band and their gear across the country. Despite its high mileage, he maintains it meticulously. To highlight its history, Matt even framed vintage 1990s candy wrappers, receipts, and trash he discovered under the seats when he first bought it.
  • 1st Place (Overall Winner): The top prize went to Gordon McNeill and his 2001 Volkswagen Polo E hatchback. Gordon’s car embodies the true spirit of the festival: despite its battle-scarred paint, he has cherished his first-ever vehicle for over 20 years. 176,000 miles later, this base-model hatchback served as his wedding car, completed hot laps on the Nürburgring, and carried him on road trips across Spain. Driven daily, this no-frills commuter car is loved more than most supercars.

The judges were so impressed by the overall lineup that they also issued special commendations to several notable entries: Jack Duxbury’s 1991 Ford P100 TD pickup, Marwin Jansen’s 2000 Kia Clarus Station Wagon, Rick Martens’ 1986 Citroën Axel, Maia Egan’s 1982 Fiat 127, and Emma Rowe’s 1994 Honda Civic Bali.

Richard Porter—writer for Top Gear and The Grand Tour, as well as co-host of the hit podcast Smith and Sniff—assisted with the selection process and noted on stage that every single applicant deserved recognition, emphasizing that making the top 50 was an achievement in itself.

In addition to spectator entries, the event featured a display of rare British Leyland prototype vehicles provided by the British Motor Museum. Highlights included the very first Austin Maestro off the assembly line and the original LC10 concept that inspired it, along with a 1980 pre-production Austin Metro that debuted at the 1980 Motor Show.

The Telegraph newspaper also hosted a dedicated showcase celebrating some of the country’s rarest family haulers, featuring a Fiat Strada 5-door hatchback, an early Nissan Prairie wagon/van, and a remarkably preserved Alfa Romeo Arna.

Beyond the cars, the main stage stayed busy all day with live music, guest interviews, and comedy performances from the duo behind Smith and Sniff, who entertained the crowds and handed out the trophies at the closing ceremony.

“Wow. Just when we think the Festival of the Unexceptional can’t get any bigger, it grows again and becomes more spectacular than ever. What a delight to see the lawns of Grimsthorpe Castle packed with thousands of FOTU cars and 4,500 fans from around the globe. Thanks to everyone who came out for their passion and dedication. We’ll see you next year!”

– Mark Roper, Managing Director of Hagerty UK