Mundane Motoring Show

By: Unique Cars magazine

Date: 26.08.2018

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 long-forgotten vehicles that used to form an important part of every British high street but have all but now disappeared. continue."

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