- John Mayhead, editor of Hagerty Price Guide, picks his favourite winter classics
For many petrol heads, car enthusiasts and avid vehicle collectors, a classic tends only to be enjoyed in the summer.
During the months when temperatures plummet, there’s rain aplenty and gritters are out salting freezing roads, those with cars of a certain vintage choose to wrap their assets up for the winter for safe keeping.
The colder months are often utilised for projects or refurbishments in time for the sun’s reappearance months down the line.
But that doesn’t have to be the case, according to classic car experts.
John Mayhead, editor of the Hagerty Price Guide, says there are plenty of motors across all budgets that can brave the worst of the British weather.
‘Vintage motoring doesn’t have to be a summer pursuit, as these practical and stylish historic cars show,’ John explains.
Here’s his ten top picks – and how much a good example would cost on the market right now.
1. Land Rover Defender (1983-2015)
Hagerty value: £33,100 (2.4 TDCi 110)
The Land Rover Defender 110 is an obvious choice, given its prowess for being a reliable workhorse
We’ll get the obvious one out of the way.
Awesome in any conditions, and the more modern Wolf-engines offer power, reliability and more than the basic interior ‘comforts’ that some earlier Land Rovers provided.
2. Fiat Panda 4×4 (1986-1992)
Hagerty value: £6,400
The most affordable model in the list is the first-generation Fiat Panda 4X4 – a small car that can take on any terrain
Launched in 1983, the 4×4 version of the Fiat Panda offers an ultra-low first gear ratio and reinforced body shell.
Go anywhere in the Italian Alps, and you’ll still find plenty of these being used, as they are so capable in extreme conditions.
3. Jensen FF (1966-1971)
Hagerty value: £63,400
Want winter driving credentials? The Jensen FF was road tested up an Alpine ski slope in the late sixties
Launched at the Earl’s Court Motor Show in 1965, the Jensen FF was a groundbreaking car, the first non- all terrain production vehicle to have both four-wheel drive and anti-lock brakes.
Named after the ‘Ferguson Formula’ four-wheel drive system, it was famously ‘road’ tested up an Alpine ski slope in 1968.
4. Subaru Impreza WRX Mk2 (2000-2007)
Hagerty value: £9,200
The Bugeye and Blobeye second-generation Subaru Impreza WRX might not have the kudos of the mk1, but it’s a great affordable option
They may not be the most beautiful Impreza out there, but the second generation ‘Bugeye’ and ‘Blobeye’ cars currently offer all-wheel drive, ABS brakes and generous amounts of power for not much money.
Even performance-orientated WRX STi are reasonably priced compared to their later, facelifted siblings.
5. Porsche 911 2.7RS Safari (1973)
Hagerty value: £1.88m
Converted from the iconic 2.7 Lightweight, the rally-ready Safari, this is a classic Porsche with serious off-road capability and a punchy price
One of two cars made by the factory for the East African Safari Rally in 1973 was offered for sale last year at auction by Broad Arrow, with a lower guide price of $2.5m (£1.88m).
For that, you get a car that can pretty much go anywhere. Everything is reinforced, there are skid-plates, ram bars, chunky tyres and even a roof rack.
6. Willy’s/ Ford MB Jeep (1941,1945)
Hagerty value: £16,900
A WW2 legend, there’s no weather a British winter could throw at a Willys Jeep that would deter it
Values of this World War 2 icon have flattened over the past few years, making this more affordable as a practical and very special classic.
They may not be the most comfortable ride but, like the Land Rover, there aren’t many places they can’t go.
7. Audi ‘Ur’ Quattro (1980-1991)
Hagerty value: £43,800 (RR Quattro)
The rally car that changed everything: The Quattro is a competition legend that’s appreciating in price
This car’s competition sibling was a rally legend for a reason: its phenomenal road-holding thanks to the quattro four-wheel drive, forward-mounted engine (giving it traction in tricky conditions) and suspension setup.
Road-going versions were quick, too: in ultimate Sport Quattro form, the car was as fast as a Lamborghini Countach in a sprint race.
8. Volkswagen ‘Baja Bug’ Beetle (Late 1960s)
Hagerty value: Around £12,500
Baja Buys are VW Beetles with raised and uprated suspension, roll bars, chunky tyres, and cut-away body panels
The Baja 1000 is one of the most brutal races in the world, over a thousand miles of racing through the Mexican desert, and an event synonymous with modified VW Beetles.
Cars converted in the UK tend to go for raised and uprated suspension, roll bar, chunky tyres, and cut-away body panels.
Being air-cooled, they actually run better in cold weather but wrap up warm – many have dispensed with side windows to reduce weight.
9. Range Rover Classic (1970-1996)
Hagerty value: £10,700 (4-door Vogue)
The original Range Rover was the first proper luxury off-roader. They’re likely to become appreciating assets
The point of the Range Rover was to provide the off-road capability of the Land Rover, but with the home comforts that a well-off 1970s executive would appreciate.
It worked, and today both early two-doors and four-door Range Rovers have become collectable.
Later LSE and EFI examples demand a premium, but make sure you get the chassis checked as rust is legendary.
10. AM General Humvee Mk1 (1992-2004)
Hagerty value: £22,500
A car that’s good enough for Arnold Schwarzenegger, the H1 Hummer is a rare UK find
If you have a massive driveway that can take the four-tonne weight of this monster, then a Hummer may be for you.
Designed for the US military, it’s been used in operations all around the world and you can even adjust the air pressure in the tyres from inside the cab, helpful if you’re going across some tricky terrain and making use of the 16-inch ground clearance.
Prices aren’t as much as you’d expect. A UK-registered version with 51,000 miles on the clock sold last year online for £22,500.