Of the millions of cars sold each year, the largest proportion are usually simple machines bought for daily transport. There’s nothing fancy about them and they are just good, reliable (usually) transport that many buy and use for years – and even pass on to another family member.
Even though they may be basic and some might say boring, there are some models that impress and even win ‘Car of the Year’ awards in their time. But for the rest, after their period of sale as new cars is over, they slowly fade into history. They are seen on the roads and still remembered, though.
11-year old event
One event in England recognises these basic machines from decades past – the Hagerty Festival of the Unexceptional (FOTU). This unique annual event celebrates the brilliance of basic and has kept growing in popularity over 11 years.
At FOTU, the cars displayed are not expensive classics or futuristic sportscars. They are cars that most people can relate to. They may have owned such cars while in university, or it was their first car or their father had one and they went to school in it.
Well preserved models
What makes the unexceptional cars exceptional at the event is the fact they have been preserved despite their ordinariness. Their owners’ enthusiasm goes far beyond investment potential, performance times or Instagram aura. Many are a labour of love, not built for profit or collectability, but for the love of the particular model for various reasons.
Like any prestigious classic car show, FOTU also has a concours (competition) where 50 of the oldies will be judged and awards given. The Concours de l’Ordinaire judges consider the car’s condition, originality, rarity and other historic aspects to pick winners each year
While many of the cars at FOTU might be rare and not familiar to Malaysians – like the Austin Metro or Lada Riva – there are also many models which are still seen on Malaysian roads. These include last year’s winner, a Toyota Hilux and in 2021, a Proton Saga was picked at the overall winner.
Background of the Saga
The story behind that Saga is an interesting one, as it was one of only 201 units of a special edition known as ‘Black Knight’ which was imported and distributed by Proton UK. The car disappeared from sight in 1993 with only 3,600 miles (4,186 kms) on the odometer. It was only 24 years later that Jon Coupland acquired it to add to his two other Protons.
It was notable that the Saga won an award in the FOTU because 33 years earlier, at the 1988 Birmingham Motor Show, the first Malaysian car also won 3 awards on its debut in the UK.
“The FOTU crowd seems to get younger every year, bringing new blood into the classic car world and helping to secure its future and inspire others. The event also offers a way for more people to enjoy owning a classic, and to be a part of a unique element of emerging car culture,” said Mark Roper, Managing Director of Hagerty UK, which specialises in insuring classic cars.
