Hagerty's Festival of the Unexceptional Celebrates Ordinary Cars in 2026

The Hagerty Festival of the Unexceptional returns for its 12th year on Saturday, 25th July 2026. This quirky celebration of ordinary cars will take place at the picturesque Grimsthorpe Castle estate in Lincolnshire. The event highlights vehicles that are anything but extraordinary—yet hold a special charm for enthusiasts. The centrepiece of the festival is the Concours de l'Ordinaire, where fifty of the most unexceptional cars will be displayed. These have been carefully chosen from hundreds of entries, each representing the mundane yet fascinating side of motoring history.

A 1990 Trabant 1.1, one of the last models fitted with a 1.1-litre engine borrowed from the VW Polo, will be among the exhibits. Nearby, a 1992 Toyota Previa with just 26,000 miles on the clock will stand as a rare survivor of its era. A 1999 Ford Fiesta Finesse, barely driven with only 4,000 miles in 27 years, will also draw attention. Other highlights include a 1979 Renault 14, often called the worst Renault ever made, and a 2000 Kia Clarus Wagon—one of just three estates left in the Netherlands. A 2000 Escort Mk6 van will represent the unglamorous but essential world of commercial vehicles. Rounding out the display are a 1996 Seat Ibiza 1.9D with 46,000 miles and a 1999 Ford Fiesta Finesse, both preserved in remarkably original condition. The festival continues to grow in popularity, attracting visitors who appreciate the understated appeal of these everyday cars. Grimsthorpe Castle provides a grand yet fitting backdrop for the event, contrasting with the humble vehicles on show.

The festival offers a lighthearted tribute to cars that were never meant to be special. Visitors can explore fifty carefully selected models, each with a story of ordinary motoring life. The event remains a unique celebration of automotive history’s less glamorous—but no less interesting—side.