{"id":30776,"date":"2024-08-05T08:00:48","date_gmt":"2024-08-05T07:00:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/?p=30776"},"modified":"2024-08-02T17:44:03","modified_gmt":"2024-08-02T16:44:03","slug":"fotu-rare-but-who-cares","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/fotu-rare-but-who-cares\/","title":{"rendered":"FOTU – Rare, But Who Cares?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Despite what our rather glib title may infer, we do in fact care. A lot. We’re firm believers in the power of the prosaic and full supporters of the magic of the mundane, which is why we popped along to Festival of the Unexceptional recently, or FOTU as it has become colloquially known \u2013 a celebration of long-forgotten everyday family cars from the past that’s now into its 10th year!<\/p>\n

We’ve waxed lyrical numerous times in the past on the topic of what actually makes a classic<\/a> and one of the conclusions we invariably always come to is the influence on the definition brought about by the individual. That is, the memories and emotions that a certain vehicle evokes in said individual for whatever reason, and that’s really where the appeal of FOTU lies.<\/p>\n

\"automotive,<\/p>\n

This year’s tenth anniversary event was by far the biggest and best yet, with thousands of FOTU cars lining the entire front lawns of Grimsthorpe Castle in Lincolnshire, gathering from all over the UK, and indeed beyond, to pay tribute to the trite and to beat the drum of mediocrity. Case in point – the Retro Repmobile trophy this year was warded to Luca Alpert who had travelled all the way from Hanover in his Nissan Primera. Now that’s dedication.<\/p>\n

To those interested in more exotic fare though, FOTU won’t make much sense. It’s perhaps the only classic car event in the calendar where supercars are actively relegated to the car park, but for those of us that grew up in and around these bastions of banality, well, it’s bloody brilliant.<\/p>\n

\"automotive,<\/p>\n

For a lot of people, ourselves included, these boring, normal cars have a far greater emotional impact than those aforementioned supercars because unlike the poster Porsches and fantasy Ferraris they form a much larger and more tangible part of our formative memories when it comes to vehicular transport.<\/p>\n

Depending on how many brain cell-diminishing substances have been ingested over the years, many of us still vividly remember the first time we broke down. We recall our various family runabouts and look back fondly upon not only the car we learnt to drive in but also that subsequent first banger that we scrimped and saved all our hard-earned part-time wages for way back when. Those memories are incredibly strong because of the sheer weight of sentimentality attached.<\/p>\n

\"automotive,<\/p>\n

With myriad motors on display, attending FOTU really is a trip down memory lane, almost literally, as you stroll through the thousands of assembled cars fondly recollecting stories of those that have played a part, however large or small, in your life over the years. You may not think them rare at first glance but realistically how often do you see the cars of your youth on the roads these days? Of course this depends entirely on your age but for those of us with a few extra miles under our belts the answer is most certainly ‘not very often’.<\/p>\n

\"automotive,<\/p>\n

Perhaps one of the most unexceptional cars we saw on the day was a 1995, 1.3-litre Hyundai Accent, resplendent in a rather subdued pinkish hue of ‘sun blanched rouge’. About as boring as they come, most would agree, but that was someone’s first car. It brought joy and a very real sense of freedom to a budding petrolhead and will mean something rather special, rather profound to that person. Someone really did care. They still do, and it’s wonderful to see.<\/p>\n

\"automotive,<\/p>\n

There were so many examples like this dotted all over the historic gardens at Grimsthorpe, proving that classics don’t have to be sexy or expensive – the beauty of it is anyone can own and enjoy classic cars. It really doesn’t have to be a pursuit of the privileged. FOTU is an event that not only gives us oldies a wonderful shot of nostalgia but one that also encourages younger generations to get involved at perhaps a more realistic entry point.<\/p>\n

\"automotive,<\/p>\n

From live music and special guests including Smith and Sniff (who recorded an episode of their popular Podcast on stage), to the Concours de l’Ordinaire and this year’s winner – an immaculate 1982 Toyota Hilux, there’s an incredible sense of community at FOTU. We’ll definitely be there next year and if you happen to own a FOTU-era classic, are thinking of picking one up<\/a>, or just want to reminisce and soak up the nostalgia then we highly recommend you pop along too.<\/p>\n\n\t\t