Hagerty’s Festival of the Unexceptional celebrated its fifth anniversary on 14 July, returning to Stowe School in Northamptonshire with a host of previous winners, a packed show field of first timers, and a record number of visitors.
Top honours went to Guy Maylam’s 1977 Chrysler Alpine, which the marque enthusiast had worked round the clock to finish, completing the restoration just hours before judging.
The pre-Talbot example is one of just 13 Alpines in the UK – a remarkably low figure given the model’s warm reception and European Car of the Year title in 1976.
“This example was a dreadful car, but once you start the restoration, it’s difficult to stop!” said Maylam. “I really appreciate what Hagerty has done for the bread-and-butter car movement and the Unexceptional justifies having these unloved cars.”
Chrysler Alpine (centre) flanked by People’s Choice winner Fiat Strada 65CL (left) and Second Place Datsun Bluebird GL
Also a rare sight on Britain’s roads is the Datsun Bluebird 1.6 GL saloon, with Kev Curtis’ 1981 low-mileage car scooping second place.
