FOTU 2025

[jifflemon]

Once again, it was time to wander off to the festival of the unexceptional!

Its actually one of the few events where I seem to forget to take pictures!

Left around 6:30 in the moring to get there, and on arrival got the panicked phone call from Ella - They were in a convoy following other people, who know clearly got lost!The problem with relying on satNave for Grimsthorpe Castle is that there's many roads into the castle. For Fotu, the "main" entrance is for the modern stuff, the classics and unexceptionals get to go in one of the back entries. Sat nav doesn't realise that most of these are closed to public and thinks it can save you a couple nanoseconds by routing you down one. So some Jeff-Nav saw the convey escorted to entrance and we parked up.

4 480's made the day - I took Seymour, Ella took Frog, Will was there in his two tone and Katie was there in her (confusing for Youtube folk) 2.0 ES.

Spot the 480's:



its these ones....





Much amusement hearing Katies ES being referred to as a GT because of this....



Then some randoms....













and I finally caved and bought an "offical" photo - because I'm a tight norterner, I made sure I got two cars for the price of one!

[MisterH]

How did you find the vibe compared to previous years? Not sure it is one I will ever go to as it seems to have gotten too big now, will be going to Rustival end of August tho!

[WillC9303]

I could be wrong, but I think it’s always been organised by Hagerty, so there’s a slight hint of commercialisation about it. On the flip side, it’s pretty well organised and there is good entertainment on offer (not really that you’d have much time for it anyway)

All the people I met and spoke to were very nice and wanted a chat. I think everyone wants a chance to speak to anybody about their car. I did my usual thing and pretended to be interested in the car parked next to mine so I could overhear comments on my car
Aside from 1 or 2 inane comments from armchair experts most people liked it and some were surprised to find out that it was a Volvo! I forget that the 480 still flies under most people’s radar.

Unfortunately after getting home, I looked on Bookface to see a couple posts about some unsavoury people there. A Renault Laguna and Citroen C6 were both keyed and 3 drunk blokes were letting themselves into cars in the concourse stand. One had beer spilled down the side of it.

So to answer your question Ben, it’s certainly not got that niche flavour about it that it must’ve had years ago.