You\u2019re probably not going to want a traditional sports car either. Sure, a quick spin out in a British convertible on a bright frosty morning with Smiths heater running, tonneau tightly fastened, and bobble hat firmly ensconced on head, is one of life\u2019s simple pleasures. However, the fact remains that the typical UK winter is mainly dark and soggy, so something a tad more sensible is probably in order. With this criterion in mind, we\u2019ve put together this list of our Top Ten Winter-Proof Classics.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2025\/10\/45860cfc-4fa3-478c-9cbf-7c56911eb34f-800x533.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
1) Audi Quattro<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\nThe Audi Quattro<\/a> made its debut in rallying in 1981, changing the sport forever. Jensen had experimented with the \u2018Ferguson Formula\u2019 during the late 1960s, but Audi was the first manufacturer to make people take notice of permanent four-wheel drive in a performance car. Almost overnight, rear-wheel drive was practically redundant in WRC. This success on the rally stage, particularly on gravel and snow, translated to strong sales in road cars.<\/p>\nThe Quattro system was derived from the Volkswagen Type 131 Iltis, and development trials were carried out in the deep snows of Finland. One of the few pre-traction control cars you can trust to take care of you in even the slipperiest of conditions, the Quattro featured three differentials, of which the centre and rear could both be locked manually.<\/p>\n
Beautifully built and genuinely reliable, it\u2019s no small wonder Audi Quattros make superb winter-proof classics.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2025\/10\/e37d0a84-f99b-416b-9ad4-ad97ac8445ec-800x533.webp\")
<\/p>\n
2) Volvo 240<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\nThe Swedes know a thing or two about preparing for cold weather. The Volvo 240<\/a> is a case in point. Affordable, simple to maintain, safe, durable and practical, 240s are ideal no-nonsense winter-proof classics. They may not be particularly quick or glamorous, but these old Volvos will put up with just about anything you can throw at them. Their unabashedly brick-like silhouette has earned the 240 a cult following; it’s the car that’s most synonymous with the Volvo brand. Over 2.8 million were built between 1974 and 1993, with many still in use on the roads today.<\/p>\nThe 240 series set new safety standards by introducing crumple zones, reinforced door beams, and three-point seatbelts for all occupants. Late examples, including the basic Torslanda, featured vastly improved corrosion protection with numerous panels galvanised. If your Christmas plans involve lugging friends, family and presents on visits your relatives, a Volvo 240 is the obvious choice.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2025\/10\/5d4e2730-73e9-4372-aa61-6e1a80f2cfb5-800x539.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
3) Volkswagen Beetle<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n\u201cHave you ever wondered how the man who drives a snowplough drives to the snowplough<\/em>?\u201d Well, according to the old TV commercial, he drives a Volkswagen.<\/p>\nWith its weight biased over the driven wheels, the Volkswagen Beetle<\/a> is astoundingly good off-road. Still a fixture of trials events, Baja racing, and forming the basis for the legendary beach buggy<\/a>, Volkswagen Beetles certainly have what it takes to handle a British winter.<\/p>\nDuring the Second World War, the German Wehrmacht proved that the rear-wheel drive, (Beetle-based) K\u00fcbelwagen was often better-suited to adverse terrain than the US Willys Jeep<\/a>. Its flat floorpan slid over mud and snow, while the low overall mass and low-torque engine prevented loss of traction.<\/p>\nSince Beetles are air-cooled, you won’t encounter issues with cracked blocks or radiator leaks caused by the expansion of freezing fluids. Conversely, this can mean the Beetle\u2019s heater can be a bit rubbish, so be sure to keep an extra jumper on the back seat if you do plan to make an air-cooled VW your pick of the winter-proof classics.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2025\/10\/5f6c7142-b65b-4a10-b6ce-45ab6e8efcb4-800x534.webp\")
<\/p>\n
4) Land Rover Series<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\nHere at Car & Classic<\/a>, we like to use classic cars all year round<\/a>. That\u2019s why several members of our team own Series Land Rovers<\/a>. It goes without saying that these quintessential British 4x4s possess excellent all-terrain ability, easily capable of taking a British winter in their stride.<\/p>\nWith bodywork fashioned from the aluminium alloy \u201cBirmabright\u201d, Land Rovers boast an impressive level of corrosion resistance straight out of the box. \u201cBut what about the chassis?!<\/em>\u201d I hear you cry. Well, galvanised replacements are readily available and increasingly common. Pair that with a galvanised bulkhead and you\u2019ve got a winter-proof Land Rover that\u2019ll shrug off the muddiest and saltiest of roads. Even with the standard mild steel chassis, regular anti-rust treatment and washing after use will go a long way to keeping an old Landy in good shape. Even if you do have a problem, repairs to its simple ladder frame are fairly straightforward.<\/p>\nDon\u2019t lock your Series away for the Winter. Use your Land Rover for its intended purpose and you\u2019ll be amazed at how well it performs.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2025\/10\/cef80325-8598-422d-b658-4bcaeaec75ca-800x533.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
5) Reliant Scimitar<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n\u201cPrincess Anne had one of tho\u2026<\/em>\u201d Yeah, we know.<\/p>\nWe\u2019re sure HRH valued the Scimitar<\/a>\u2019s rust-immune fibreglass bodywork. It\u2019s certainly the main reason that this quirky car makes our list of winter-proof classics. Late examples of GTEs<\/a> and GTCs<\/a> also came with galvanised chassis, greatly improving corrosion-resistance.<\/p>\nWith Ford\u2019s Essex V6 under the bonnet, the Scimitar offers an engaging drive and the GTE model boasts impressive practicality thanks to its innovative shooting brake design. They\u2019re still pretty affordable, too.<\/p>\n
Look upon the Scimitar not just as a great winter driver, but as a great all-year-round \u2018one classic fits all\u2019 solution.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2025\/10\/51c25ed5-ac41-4ff0-b1a9-7c969b6b6281-800x533.webp\")
<\/p>\n
6) Saab 900<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\nThe second Swedish car to feature on this list, the Saab 900 is another vehicle purpose-built for colder climes. Front wheel drive is a great choice in situations where traction is paramount, and the Saab 900<\/a> was renowned in its day for its sure-footedness, solid build quality and safety. It was also among the earliest cars to offer heated seats, so you\u2019ll not be left shivering. Turbo models are quick, so take care with the loud pedal if you do plan to drive your 900 in adverse conditions.<\/p>\nRust is the biggest issue. Saab 900s are known to corrode badly in the doors, driveshaft tunnels, front crossmember, sills, jacking points, wheel arches – just about anywhere really\u2026 That said, a well-maintained example should last just about as long as most cars from this era. In any case, the other qualities that make the 900 one of the great winter-proof classics should be more than enough reason for it to be included in our top ten.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSCF9330-800x800.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
7) Austin 7<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\nTake a look at the VSCC events calendar<\/a> and you\u2019ll note owners of vintage cars don\u2019t tend to park them up over winter. The sport of trialling is as synonymous with the British countryside in winter as grouse shooting. Pre-dating the development of the 4×4, manufacturers of regular road cars cared a great deal about off-road performance, and many owners were putting their motor cars to the test in amateur competition as soon as they left the showroom.<\/p>\nThe most common pre-war classic you\u2019ll find in any trials event? It has to be the Austin 7<\/a>.<\/p>\nHailed as the first modern motorcar, the 7 is thought to have been largely responsible for standardising the pedal arrangement still used today. Its narrow A Frame chassis allowed the car to be small, relatively agile and, therefore, exceedingly drivable even by modern standards.<\/p>\n
Ultra-light and fitted with comically narrow tyres, an Austin 7 would skip across snow drifts with impunity. Whether you should, is another matter. As with any car of this age, one needs to take great care and perhaps avoid the nastiest conditions. But, by all means continue to exercise your Austin over the winter months.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2025\/10\/31df87dd-9cca-4002-9887-5fe26242b9bf-800x533.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
8) Citro\u00ebn 2CV<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\nWant to humble people in their two-ton SUVs? Overtake them in your thirty horsepower Citro\u00ebn 2CV<\/a> as they spin their wheels in vain on a cold winter\u2019s morning.<\/p>\nDeveloped in secret during the Second World War and intended to get French farmers off pony traps and into cars, the 2CV was all about functionality. The sheer simplicity of the France\u2019s \u201cDeux Chevaux<\/em>\u201d earns it a place on our list. Like the Beetle, the 2CV is air-cooled, and it places the engine over the driven wheels. This coupled with clever suspension and a kerb weight of well under a ton ensures the 2CV is exceedingly capable in low-traction situations.<\/p>\nFibreglass wings are a common upgrade when the originals inevitably succumb to tin worm, and galvanised chassis are available for those who who choose to make a 2CV their winter warrior.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2025\/10\/026785b1-e086-4bb6-9a33-4b66bb8c8a1b-800x534.webp\")
<\/p>\n
9) Volkswagen Golf<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\nWe can never decide which we prefer. 205 or Golf? But one thing we do know is that only one is truly winter-proof, and it isn\u2019t the Peugeot.<\/p>\n
The Quattro system was derived from the Volkswagen Type 131 Iltis, and development trials were carried out in the deep snows of Finland. One of the few pre-traction control cars you can trust to take care of you in even the slipperiest of conditions, the Quattro featured three differentials, of which the centre and rear could both be locked manually.<\/p>\n
Beautifully built and genuinely reliable, it\u2019s no small wonder Audi Quattros make superb winter-proof classics.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
2) Volvo 240<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\nThe Swedes know a thing or two about preparing for cold weather. The Volvo 240<\/a> is a case in point. Affordable, simple to maintain, safe, durable and practical, 240s are ideal no-nonsense winter-proof classics. They may not be particularly quick or glamorous, but these old Volvos will put up with just about anything you can throw at them. Their unabashedly brick-like silhouette has earned the 240 a cult following; it’s the car that’s most synonymous with the Volvo brand. Over 2.8 million were built between 1974 and 1993, with many still in use on the roads today.<\/p>\nThe 240 series set new safety standards by introducing crumple zones, reinforced door beams, and three-point seatbelts for all occupants. Late examples, including the basic Torslanda, featured vastly improved corrosion protection with numerous panels galvanised. If your Christmas plans involve lugging friends, family and presents on visits your relatives, a Volvo 240 is the obvious choice.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
3) Volkswagen Beetle<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n\u201cHave you ever wondered how the man who drives a snowplough drives to the snowplough<\/em>?\u201d Well, according to the old TV commercial, he drives a Volkswagen.<\/p>\nWith its weight biased over the driven wheels, the Volkswagen Beetle<\/a> is astoundingly good off-road. Still a fixture of trials events, Baja racing, and forming the basis for the legendary beach buggy<\/a>, Volkswagen Beetles certainly have what it takes to handle a British winter.<\/p>\nDuring the Second World War, the German Wehrmacht proved that the rear-wheel drive, (Beetle-based) K\u00fcbelwagen was often better-suited to adverse terrain than the US Willys Jeep<\/a>. Its flat floorpan slid over mud and snow, while the low overall mass and low-torque engine prevented loss of traction.<\/p>\nSince Beetles are air-cooled, you won’t encounter issues with cracked blocks or radiator leaks caused by the expansion of freezing fluids. Conversely, this can mean the Beetle\u2019s heater can be a bit rubbish, so be sure to keep an extra jumper on the back seat if you do plan to make an air-cooled VW your pick of the winter-proof classics.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
4) Land Rover Series<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\nHere at Car & Classic<\/a>, we like to use classic cars all year round<\/a>. That\u2019s why several members of our team own Series Land Rovers<\/a>. It goes without saying that these quintessential British 4x4s possess excellent all-terrain ability, easily capable of taking a British winter in their stride.<\/p>\nWith bodywork fashioned from the aluminium alloy \u201cBirmabright\u201d, Land Rovers boast an impressive level of corrosion resistance straight out of the box. \u201cBut what about the chassis?!<\/em>\u201d I hear you cry. Well, galvanised replacements are readily available and increasingly common. Pair that with a galvanised bulkhead and you\u2019ve got a winter-proof Land Rover that\u2019ll shrug off the muddiest and saltiest of roads. Even with the standard mild steel chassis, regular anti-rust treatment and washing after use will go a long way to keeping an old Landy in good shape. Even if you do have a problem, repairs to its simple ladder frame are fairly straightforward.<\/p>\nDon\u2019t lock your Series away for the Winter. Use your Land Rover for its intended purpose and you\u2019ll be amazed at how well it performs.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
5) Reliant Scimitar<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n\u201cPrincess Anne had one of tho\u2026<\/em>\u201d Yeah, we know.<\/p>\nWe\u2019re sure HRH valued the Scimitar<\/a>\u2019s rust-immune fibreglass bodywork. It\u2019s certainly the main reason that this quirky car makes our list of winter-proof classics. Late examples of GTEs<\/a> and GTCs<\/a> also came with galvanised chassis, greatly improving corrosion-resistance.<\/p>\nWith Ford\u2019s Essex V6 under the bonnet, the Scimitar offers an engaging drive and the GTE model boasts impressive practicality thanks to its innovative shooting brake design. They\u2019re still pretty affordable, too.<\/p>\n
Look upon the Scimitar not just as a great winter driver, but as a great all-year-round \u2018one classic fits all\u2019 solution.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
6) Saab 900<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\nThe second Swedish car to feature on this list, the Saab 900 is another vehicle purpose-built for colder climes. Front wheel drive is a great choice in situations where traction is paramount, and the Saab 900<\/a> was renowned in its day for its sure-footedness, solid build quality and safety. It was also among the earliest cars to offer heated seats, so you\u2019ll not be left shivering. Turbo models are quick, so take care with the loud pedal if you do plan to drive your 900 in adverse conditions.<\/p>\nRust is the biggest issue. Saab 900s are known to corrode badly in the doors, driveshaft tunnels, front crossmember, sills, jacking points, wheel arches – just about anywhere really\u2026 That said, a well-maintained example should last just about as long as most cars from this era. In any case, the other qualities that make the 900 one of the great winter-proof classics should be more than enough reason for it to be included in our top ten.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
7) Austin 7<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\nTake a look at the VSCC events calendar<\/a> and you\u2019ll note owners of vintage cars don\u2019t tend to park them up over winter. The sport of trialling is as synonymous with the British countryside in winter as grouse shooting. Pre-dating the development of the 4×4, manufacturers of regular road cars cared a great deal about off-road performance, and many owners were putting their motor cars to the test in amateur competition as soon as they left the showroom.<\/p>\nThe most common pre-war classic you\u2019ll find in any trials event? It has to be the Austin 7<\/a>.<\/p>\nHailed as the first modern motorcar, the 7 is thought to have been largely responsible for standardising the pedal arrangement still used today. Its narrow A Frame chassis allowed the car to be small, relatively agile and, therefore, exceedingly drivable even by modern standards.<\/p>\n
Ultra-light and fitted with comically narrow tyres, an Austin 7 would skip across snow drifts with impunity. Whether you should, is another matter. As with any car of this age, one needs to take great care and perhaps avoid the nastiest conditions. But, by all means continue to exercise your Austin over the winter months.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
8) Citro\u00ebn 2CV<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\nWant to humble people in their two-ton SUVs? Overtake them in your thirty horsepower Citro\u00ebn 2CV<\/a> as they spin their wheels in vain on a cold winter\u2019s morning.<\/p>\nDeveloped in secret during the Second World War and intended to get French farmers off pony traps and into cars, the 2CV was all about functionality. The sheer simplicity of the France\u2019s \u201cDeux Chevaux<\/em>\u201d earns it a place on our list. Like the Beetle, the 2CV is air-cooled, and it places the engine over the driven wheels. This coupled with clever suspension and a kerb weight of well under a ton ensures the 2CV is exceedingly capable in low-traction situations.<\/p>\nFibreglass wings are a common upgrade when the originals inevitably succumb to tin worm, and galvanised chassis are available for those who who choose to make a 2CV their winter warrior.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
9) Volkswagen Golf<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\nWe can never decide which we prefer. 205 or Golf? But one thing we do know is that only one is truly winter-proof, and it isn\u2019t the Peugeot.<\/p>\n
The 240 series set new safety standards by introducing crumple zones, reinforced door beams, and three-point seatbelts for all occupants. Late examples, including the basic Torslanda, featured vastly improved corrosion protection with numerous panels galvanised. If your Christmas plans involve lugging friends, family and presents on visits your relatives, a Volvo 240 is the obvious choice.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
3) Volkswagen Beetle<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n\u201cHave you ever wondered how the man who drives a snowplough drives to the snowplough<\/em>?\u201d Well, according to the old TV commercial, he drives a Volkswagen.<\/p>\nWith its weight biased over the driven wheels, the Volkswagen Beetle<\/a> is astoundingly good off-road. Still a fixture of trials events, Baja racing, and forming the basis for the legendary beach buggy<\/a>, Volkswagen Beetles certainly have what it takes to handle a British winter.<\/p>\nDuring the Second World War, the German Wehrmacht proved that the rear-wheel drive, (Beetle-based) K\u00fcbelwagen was often better-suited to adverse terrain than the US Willys Jeep<\/a>. Its flat floorpan slid over mud and snow, while the low overall mass and low-torque engine prevented loss of traction.<\/p>\nSince Beetles are air-cooled, you won’t encounter issues with cracked blocks or radiator leaks caused by the expansion of freezing fluids. Conversely, this can mean the Beetle\u2019s heater can be a bit rubbish, so be sure to keep an extra jumper on the back seat if you do plan to make an air-cooled VW your pick of the winter-proof classics.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
4) Land Rover Series<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\nHere at Car & Classic<\/a>, we like to use classic cars all year round<\/a>. That\u2019s why several members of our team own Series Land Rovers<\/a>. It goes without saying that these quintessential British 4x4s possess excellent all-terrain ability, easily capable of taking a British winter in their stride.<\/p>\nWith bodywork fashioned from the aluminium alloy \u201cBirmabright\u201d, Land Rovers boast an impressive level of corrosion resistance straight out of the box. \u201cBut what about the chassis?!<\/em>\u201d I hear you cry. Well, galvanised replacements are readily available and increasingly common. Pair that with a galvanised bulkhead and you\u2019ve got a winter-proof Land Rover that\u2019ll shrug off the muddiest and saltiest of roads. Even with the standard mild steel chassis, regular anti-rust treatment and washing after use will go a long way to keeping an old Landy in good shape. Even if you do have a problem, repairs to its simple ladder frame are fairly straightforward.<\/p>\nDon\u2019t lock your Series away for the Winter. Use your Land Rover for its intended purpose and you\u2019ll be amazed at how well it performs.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
5) Reliant Scimitar<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n\u201cPrincess Anne had one of tho\u2026<\/em>\u201d Yeah, we know.<\/p>\nWe\u2019re sure HRH valued the Scimitar<\/a>\u2019s rust-immune fibreglass bodywork. It\u2019s certainly the main reason that this quirky car makes our list of winter-proof classics. Late examples of GTEs<\/a> and GTCs<\/a> also came with galvanised chassis, greatly improving corrosion-resistance.<\/p>\nWith Ford\u2019s Essex V6 under the bonnet, the Scimitar offers an engaging drive and the GTE model boasts impressive practicality thanks to its innovative shooting brake design. They\u2019re still pretty affordable, too.<\/p>\n
Look upon the Scimitar not just as a great winter driver, but as a great all-year-round \u2018one classic fits all\u2019 solution.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
6) Saab 900<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\nThe second Swedish car to feature on this list, the Saab 900 is another vehicle purpose-built for colder climes. Front wheel drive is a great choice in situations where traction is paramount, and the Saab 900<\/a> was renowned in its day for its sure-footedness, solid build quality and safety. It was also among the earliest cars to offer heated seats, so you\u2019ll not be left shivering. Turbo models are quick, so take care with the loud pedal if you do plan to drive your 900 in adverse conditions.<\/p>\nRust is the biggest issue. Saab 900s are known to corrode badly in the doors, driveshaft tunnels, front crossmember, sills, jacking points, wheel arches – just about anywhere really\u2026 That said, a well-maintained example should last just about as long as most cars from this era. In any case, the other qualities that make the 900 one of the great winter-proof classics should be more than enough reason for it to be included in our top ten.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
7) Austin 7<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\nTake a look at the VSCC events calendar<\/a> and you\u2019ll note owners of vintage cars don\u2019t tend to park them up over winter. The sport of trialling is as synonymous with the British countryside in winter as grouse shooting. Pre-dating the development of the 4×4, manufacturers of regular road cars cared a great deal about off-road performance, and many owners were putting their motor cars to the test in amateur competition as soon as they left the showroom.<\/p>\nThe most common pre-war classic you\u2019ll find in any trials event? It has to be the Austin 7<\/a>.<\/p>\nHailed as the first modern motorcar, the 7 is thought to have been largely responsible for standardising the pedal arrangement still used today. Its narrow A Frame chassis allowed the car to be small, relatively agile and, therefore, exceedingly drivable even by modern standards.<\/p>\n
Ultra-light and fitted with comically narrow tyres, an Austin 7 would skip across snow drifts with impunity. Whether you should, is another matter. As with any car of this age, one needs to take great care and perhaps avoid the nastiest conditions. But, by all means continue to exercise your Austin over the winter months.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
8) Citro\u00ebn 2CV<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\nWant to humble people in their two-ton SUVs? Overtake them in your thirty horsepower Citro\u00ebn 2CV<\/a> as they spin their wheels in vain on a cold winter\u2019s morning.<\/p>\nDeveloped in secret during the Second World War and intended to get French farmers off pony traps and into cars, the 2CV was all about functionality. The sheer simplicity of the France\u2019s \u201cDeux Chevaux<\/em>\u201d earns it a place on our list. Like the Beetle, the 2CV is air-cooled, and it places the engine over the driven wheels. This coupled with clever suspension and a kerb weight of well under a ton ensures the 2CV is exceedingly capable in low-traction situations.<\/p>\nFibreglass wings are a common upgrade when the originals inevitably succumb to tin worm, and galvanised chassis are available for those who who choose to make a 2CV their winter warrior.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
9) Volkswagen Golf<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\nWe can never decide which we prefer. 205 or Golf? But one thing we do know is that only one is truly winter-proof, and it isn\u2019t the Peugeot.<\/p>\n
With its weight biased over the driven wheels, the Volkswagen Beetle<\/a> is astoundingly good off-road. Still a fixture of trials events, Baja racing, and forming the basis for the legendary beach buggy<\/a>, Volkswagen Beetles certainly have what it takes to handle a British winter.<\/p>\n During the Second World War, the German Wehrmacht proved that the rear-wheel drive, (Beetle-based) K\u00fcbelwagen was often better-suited to adverse terrain than the US Willys Jeep<\/a>. Its flat floorpan slid over mud and snow, while the low overall mass and low-torque engine prevented loss of traction.<\/p>\n Since Beetles are air-cooled, you won’t encounter issues with cracked blocks or radiator leaks caused by the expansion of freezing fluids. Conversely, this can mean the Beetle\u2019s heater can be a bit rubbish, so be sure to keep an extra jumper on the back seat if you do plan to make an air-cooled VW your pick of the winter-proof classics.<\/p>\n Here at Car & Classic<\/a>, we like to use classic cars all year round<\/a>. That\u2019s why several members of our team own Series Land Rovers<\/a>. It goes without saying that these quintessential British 4x4s possess excellent all-terrain ability, easily capable of taking a British winter in their stride.<\/p>\n With bodywork fashioned from the aluminium alloy \u201cBirmabright\u201d, Land Rovers boast an impressive level of corrosion resistance straight out of the box. \u201cBut what about the chassis?!<\/em>\u201d I hear you cry. Well, galvanised replacements are readily available and increasingly common. Pair that with a galvanised bulkhead and you\u2019ve got a winter-proof Land Rover that\u2019ll shrug off the muddiest and saltiest of roads. Even with the standard mild steel chassis, regular anti-rust treatment and washing after use will go a long way to keeping an old Landy in good shape. Even if you do have a problem, repairs to its simple ladder frame are fairly straightforward.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t lock your Series away for the Winter. Use your Land Rover for its intended purpose and you\u2019ll be amazed at how well it performs.<\/p>\n \u201cPrincess Anne had one of tho\u2026<\/em>\u201d Yeah, we know.<\/p>\n We\u2019re sure HRH valued the Scimitar<\/a>\u2019s rust-immune fibreglass bodywork. It\u2019s certainly the main reason that this quirky car makes our list of winter-proof classics. Late examples of GTEs<\/a> and GTCs<\/a> also came with galvanised chassis, greatly improving corrosion-resistance.<\/p>\n With Ford\u2019s Essex V6 under the bonnet, the Scimitar offers an engaging drive and the GTE model boasts impressive practicality thanks to its innovative shooting brake design. They\u2019re still pretty affordable, too.<\/p>\n Look upon the Scimitar not just as a great winter driver, but as a great all-year-round \u2018one classic fits all\u2019 solution.<\/p>\n The second Swedish car to feature on this list, the Saab 900 is another vehicle purpose-built for colder climes. Front wheel drive is a great choice in situations where traction is paramount, and the Saab 900<\/a> was renowned in its day for its sure-footedness, solid build quality and safety. It was also among the earliest cars to offer heated seats, so you\u2019ll not be left shivering. Turbo models are quick, so take care with the loud pedal if you do plan to drive your 900 in adverse conditions.<\/p>\n Rust is the biggest issue. Saab 900s are known to corrode badly in the doors, driveshaft tunnels, front crossmember, sills, jacking points, wheel arches – just about anywhere really\u2026 That said, a well-maintained example should last just about as long as most cars from this era. In any case, the other qualities that make the 900 one of the great winter-proof classics should be more than enough reason for it to be included in our top ten.<\/p>\n Take a look at the VSCC events calendar<\/a> and you\u2019ll note owners of vintage cars don\u2019t tend to park them up over winter. The sport of trialling is as synonymous with the British countryside in winter as grouse shooting. Pre-dating the development of the 4×4, manufacturers of regular road cars cared a great deal about off-road performance, and many owners were putting their motor cars to the test in amateur competition as soon as they left the showroom.<\/p>\n The most common pre-war classic you\u2019ll find in any trials event? It has to be the Austin 7<\/a>.<\/p>\n Hailed as the first modern motorcar, the 7 is thought to have been largely responsible for standardising the pedal arrangement still used today. Its narrow A Frame chassis allowed the car to be small, relatively agile and, therefore, exceedingly drivable even by modern standards.<\/p>\n Ultra-light and fitted with comically narrow tyres, an Austin 7 would skip across snow drifts with impunity. Whether you should, is another matter. As with any car of this age, one needs to take great care and perhaps avoid the nastiest conditions. But, by all means continue to exercise your Austin over the winter months.<\/p>\n Want to humble people in their two-ton SUVs? Overtake them in your thirty horsepower Citro\u00ebn 2CV<\/a> as they spin their wheels in vain on a cold winter\u2019s morning.<\/p>\n Developed in secret during the Second World War and intended to get French farmers off pony traps and into cars, the 2CV was all about functionality. The sheer simplicity of the France\u2019s \u201cDeux Chevaux<\/em>\u201d earns it a place on our list. Like the Beetle, the 2CV is air-cooled, and it places the engine over the driven wheels. This coupled with clever suspension and a kerb weight of well under a ton ensures the 2CV is exceedingly capable in low-traction situations.<\/p>\n Fibreglass wings are a common upgrade when the originals inevitably succumb to tin worm, and galvanised chassis are available for those who who choose to make a 2CV their winter warrior.<\/p>\n We can never decide which we prefer. 205 or Golf? But one thing we do know is that only one is truly winter-proof, and it isn\u2019t the Peugeot.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n4) Land Rover Series<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/p>\n5) Reliant Scimitar<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/p>\n6) Saab 900<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/p>\n7) Austin 7<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/p>\n8) Citro\u00ebn 2CV<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/p>\n9) Volkswagen Golf<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
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