20 front-wheel drive classics

In the early decades of motoring, almost all cars adopted the rear-wheel drive principle, with the back wheels propelling the car while the front wheels handled the steering.

As the years went by, however, front wheel drive (or FWD) designs improved. Beginning in the 1970s and gaining traction through the 1980s and '90s, FWD cars began to dominate the marketplace – inspired, in part, by the small Japanese hatchbacks that entered our markets in the 1970s. Nowadays, of course, front wheel drive is very much the norm, outside the realms of sports cars and 4x4s but it wasn’t always like this.

Here are some classic and ground-breaking FWD vehicles from down the decades. Their decades-old vintage, plus their often unique places in their marque's history, mean that all of these cars are now sought-after classics. If you own, or plan to own, any of these FWD pioneers, make sure you protect your investment with some classic car insurance.

1. Mini
   The vast majority of cars produced during the two decades after World War II featured rear wheel drive, but some car companies decided to explore FWD options. Saab was one, as we will see later: another was the British Motor Corporation (BMC), experimenting with a FWD layout in Alec Issigonis' beautifully packaged Mini of 1959.

In fact, the formula worked so well in the diminutive Mini that BMC decided to commit to FWD for its larger vehicles such as the Austin / Morris 1100, Austin Maxi and Austin 1800 aka 'Land Crab'. The first of these FWD pioneers, however, was the most successful. That original Mini was still being produced, recognisably the same car, four decades on from its launch.

What was the secret to the Mini's success? In part, that would be its legendarily clever packaging. For a car this small, affordable and easy to park to – just about – accommodate four passengers was something close to miraculous. No less impressive, however, were the little Austin's hugely engaging driving dynamics, of which the front-wheel-drive layout played a significant part.

2. Austin / Morris 1100
   Buoyed by the success of the Mini, BMC's next major offering was the BMC ADO16 from 1962 onwards. Well, that was the company's internal designation: in the showrooms it was typically known as the Austin 1100 or Morris 1100. The car was also, however, known as the MG 1100, Wolseley 100, Riley Kestrel and many other names besides.

Whatever designation it came under, the ADO16 managed to be Britain's best-selling car from 1963 to 1966, and again from 1968 to 1971 (the 1967 top spot was grabbed by the new, second-generation Ford Cortina).

Its replacements, the Morris Marina and Austin Allegro, were both big sellers. However – how shall we put this – neither enjoyed the universal popularity of the ADO16. The car is still held in great affection today, and has not one but two thriving UK owners' clubs, the 1100 Club and ADO16.

3. Alfa Romeo Alfasud
   A look back at Alfa Romeo's long and illustrious production history reveals dozens of elegant Italian automobiles – indeed, we picked out a few of our favourites in our article, 10 breath-taking Alfa Romeos.

The Alfasud may not possess the otherworldly beauty of the 33 Stradale or the 1970s swagger of the Montreal, but it was a hugely important car for the Italian marque. Arriving in 1972, the Alfasud was the first front-wheel-drive model from a car maker famous for its cars' exciting handling, as well as their suave Italian looks. Small, compact, and mechanically simple, the Alfasud was perhaps the first Alfa to be affordable to the general population. And who wouldn't want to buy into this historic racing marque?

The 'Sud', unsurprisingly, sold in huge numbers, both in and beyond its native Italy. It did gather something of a reputation for rust, however, and if you fancy getting in on the Alfasud act these days we'd recommend asking to see paperwork relating to all rust prevention. Some classic car insurance will also be essential if you’re taking on a restoration project.

4. Berkeley Sports
   This is an unusual entry into our list of front-drive classics, but we think it's worth a mention because its FWD system wasn't the car's only innovative feature. No, the Berkeley Sports – produced in three guises from 1956 to '59 – also featured a fibreglass monocoque frame.

Being made of such a lightweight material made the Sports an exceptionally lithe and nimble two-seater, characteristics it shared with various Lotuses of the era. And indeed, if you wanted your two-seater to be as agile and quicksilver as possible, fibreglass made a great choice. We put together a list of some of our other favourite fibreglass cars elsewhere on our blog.

Based in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, the original incarnation of Berkeley Cars had a short life, from 1956 to 1960. Recently, though, they have been reborn, producing cars that evoke the lightweight, carefree spirit of the original Berkeleys.

5. Citroen 2CV
   Citroen's iconic, ingenious, and idiosyncratic little hatchback would feature in quite a lot of lists like this – cars that brought motoring to the masses, for instance, or vehicles with inimitable French style. Among these, it belongs in a list of our favourite front-wheel-drive cars.

The 2CV was famously conceived to help get France's 1930s farmers out of their horses and carts and into something a bit more reliable, speedy, and weatherproofed. Its long-travel suspension also made it a very comfortable car (a characteristic that Citroens have maintained ever since).

And, with its air-cooled engine (cheap to service) and low fuel consumption, the 2CV made for a relatively affordable and stress-free investment. The same is probably true of it today: simple mechanicals and a large online owners' community means that taking on a 2CV shouldn't be too daunting a prospect. We'd recommend classic car insurance to accompany what is unquestionably a classic car. Here is a fuller appreciation from us: 70 years of the 2CV and family.

6. Ford Fiesta
   The small, ever-likeable Fiesta is an important chapter, both in the history of FWD hatchbacks and in the Blue Oval's own annals.

Launched in Europe in 1976 and here in Britain in '77, the Mk1 Fiesta was Ford's first front-wheel-drive production car, beating the Mk3 Escort to that distinction by around three years. That first Fiesta was an enormous sales success, shifting around 1.75 million units around the world by the time the Mk2 came along in 1983.

What gave the diminutive Ford such immense selling power? Well, the styling still looks smart and eye-catching to this day, while the car came in an array of trim levels and engine sizes. This was what late '70s budget motoring was all about.

7. Lancia Fulvia
   Whether in saloon form (where it had something of the boxy charm of a Lada) or coupé guise, where it had more of a 6-Series BMW vibe, the Lancia Fulvia was one of the more elegantly proportioned cars of the 1960s.

It was also, unusually for the time, a front-wheel-drive machine. This departure from the norm certainly did the car's sporting pretensions no harm at all, however: the Fulvia triumphed in the Italian Rally Championship for eight of the nine years from 1965 to 1973. It even managed one triumph on a far larger stage, the International Rally Championship of 1972.

That combination of rallying pedigree and effortlessly suave looks make the Fulvia a highly cherished classic today. If you are lucky enough to own one of these Italian stallions, do make sure you have the right level of classic car insurance protecting your investment.

8. Lotus Elan Mk2
   Here's another car with a significant place in the history books. As distinct from its iconic 1960s namesake, the 1989, second-generation Lotus Elan has been the only front-wheel-drive production car turned out by the Norfolk firm to date.

Quite an unusual choice, as sports cars tend to be rear-wheel-drive: however, Colin Chapman and the Lotus engineers were clear that a FWD system was going to work best for a car of the Elan's particular dimensions and sporting ambitions.

In fact, the Mk2 Elan was not a huge seller. For one thing, it found itself up against the new Mazda MX-5, a car whose simplicity and sense of fun ironically evoked memories of the original Elan. Now, Mk2 Elans will be hard to track down, and will certainly require the protection of some classic car insurance.

9. Mercedes A-Class
   The original A-Class was a somewhat divisive car when it first came out. After all, here was a marque famous for its big, stately saloons and elegant roadsters, turning out a boxy and practical little car that looked destined for the weekly shopping run.

However, history has been kind to the first A-Class – as it has to its contemporary, the Audi A2, another boldly different small car design from a premium German marque. The A-Class's chunky looks have worn well, making it a rather distinctive car in the modern automotive landscape. The fact that it was Mercedes' very first front-wheel-drive car only adds to its unique credentials.

10. Saab 99
    Always adventurous in its engineering, Saab was much earlier to the front-wheel-drive party than most marques. Indeed, even the marque's very first production car, the 92 of 1950 onwards, sent power to its front wheels. So, when it comes to choosing a great FWD Saab, we're not short of options.

We've gone for the justly famous 99 of 1968 onwards, as it has perhaps the most iconic and recognisable shape of any Saab. Added to that, some 10 years after it made its debut, the 99 got one very significant engineering innovation: the addition of an (optional) turbocharged engine.

The 99 Turbo became the first commercially successful turbo car, spawning a whole host of fast and furious artificially aspirated cars. Small wonder that the 99 made our list of the best turbocharged classics.

11. Fiat 128
    The Italians have been behind a significant number of innovations in motoring history. For example, with the small but beautifully packaged 128 of 1969-85, Fiat arguably set down the template for the modern small car.

Front-engine and front-wheel-drive, available in a variety of saloon, estate, and elegant coupé body styles, unassumingly good-looking and cheap to run, the 128 had a great start, winning the European Car of the Year award in 1970. (We love a ECotY winner: some of our other favourites are discussed in this article).

The small, tidy Fiat went on to be made in more than three million examples. Fun fact: The 128's engine and running gear were redesigned for a mid-engine configuration and put into the very different but equally likeable Fiat X1/9.

12. Austin Metro
    On its launch in 1980, Austin's boxy, diminutive Metro was a hugely important car for British Leyland. BL had to prove to the Thatcher government that it could produce a successful small car and get in on the very lucrative small hatchback market.

In fact, as we know, the Metro was a huge success. Like the car it was ostensibly replacing, the Mini, it crammed a surprising amount of interior space into its modest proportions. The front wheels were powered by a choice of 1.0- and 1.3-litre engines: modest power outputs, perhaps, but they got this compact city car around effectively enough.

The Metro won a fair few famous admirers: Margaret Thatcher was snapped in one, Princess Diana owned one. Small-car royalty, no less.

13. Peugeot 205

Many 1980s cars are remembered with great affection, although perhaps not all. However, you'll struggle to find an '80s vehicle so universally revered as the handsome, fine-handling and frankly brilliant Peugeot 205.

Launched in 1983, at a time when front-wheel drive had become the norm among the burgeoning supermini genre, the 205 quickly shot to the top of its class with its great, space-maximising designs, fine handling, and athletic good looks.

Of course, it's the GTI edition that has retained the biggest, shiniest halo. That model will now command, according to condition, anything from £5,000 to £30,000 on the used market, and will need some suitable classic car insurance behind it. However, any 205 you can find, from the base one litre upwards, will have graduated to classic status by now. If you're considering one of these classic Gallic runabouts, have a read of our Peugeot 205 buyers' guide.

14. Renault 4

Yes, it's another era-defining small French car, albeit from a previous generation. In fact, Renault's pint-sized, functional 4 was designed as something of a riposte to the all-conquering Citroen 2CV.

Like many of the cars in our list, the 4 was also a hugely important project for its parent company. Exclusively rear-wheel drive until this point, Renault was not in brilliant health at the dawn of the 1960s. Simple and practical, and boldly following in the footsteps of the 2CV and a few others in selecting front-wheel drive, the 4 reversed the company's fortunes, and remained in production for an extraordinary three and a half decades.

If you were labouring up the motorway in one of these back in the 1970s, you might have been amused by the idea of the 4 one day attaining classic status. Yet that's undoubtedly the truth now, and that 4 in your garage is a prime candidate for classic car insurance.

15. Trabant

One of the most enduring images of Eastern Europe's 1989 revolutions was the sight of dozens of East Germans driving their little Trabants into West Berlin to get their first taste of Western capitalism. Small, basic, and made largely of duroplast, a hard plastic made from recycled cotton waste, the Trabant was for decades the only four-wheeled transport available to generations of hard-working East Germans.

When the Trabant first emerged, in 1957, its front-wheel-drive configuration was relatively modern and daring. Less so, perhaps, when it finally ended its production run in 1991. That front-wheel drive was accompanied, for much of the car's life, by a two-stroke engine, making for a distinctive soundtrack around the roads of Communist East Germany.

16. Cadillac Eldorado
    You might have thought all the cars on this list would be small, functional European econoboxes – but no, we've got one or two surprises for you. And the Caddy Eldorado stands out from the crowd here.

Yes, for its eighth generation back in 1967, Cadillac's big, svelte, and sexy 'personal luxury saloon' underwent a more radical redesign than usual. This included transitioning from rear- to front-wheel drive, while some sharp new styling helped make this one of the best-selling Eldorado generations.

If you're tempted by an Eldorado of any generation… well, why not? These are big, beautiful cars from a golden if gas-guzzling era of American motoring. Your car will be a rare sight on UK roads, but you will find other Cadillac drivers out there to help with your mechanical questions. A great place to start would be our guide to the UK's best American car clubs.

17. Volkswagen K70
    The most influential front-wheel-drive Volkswagen was surely the Mk1 Golf of 1974. However, that's a car that already gets plenty of attention from us – here are our memories of the iconic GTI version, for example, while in this feature we look at the basic and now little-remembered Golf N variant.

No, for this article we've decided to shine the spotlight on a different FWD Volkswagen. The K70 was, in fact, the marque's very first model to send power down through the front wheels. This car has a fascinating history: it was developed by NSU (they of the famous, rotary-engine Ro80 saloon) but, on the latter company's takeover by VW in 1969, the K70 was marketed by Volkswagen.

It now looks very desirable, with that classic slightly forward-angled, late '60s/early '70s VW look. Good luck getting hold of one, though, as only 800 of the 211,000 K70s were made as right-hand-drive cars for the UK market.

18. Volvo 480
    The sleek, svelte 480 broke with Volvo tradition in several ways. For one thing (you've guessed it), this was the first production car from the safety-minded Swedes to feature front wheel drive.

But that wasn't all. To look at, the car seemed to have little in common with the square-jawed and thoroughly sensible looks we'd come to associate with the brand. A Volvo with pop-up headlights? Sensational – and yet also influential, as the FWD system tested in this elegant and unusual car went onto grace other Volvos. Those included the much-loved 850, which joined the 480 in our list of favourite classic Volvos.

19. Honda Civic Mk1
    The oil crisis of 1973, and the rise in fuel prices that it produced, resulted in an influx of small, fuel-efficient Japanese cars into the UK market. And perhaps the most notable of these was the first-generation Honda Civic.

Elsewhere on this blog we singled out the second-generation Civic as one of our favourite classic Hondas. And it's true that the Mk2 did improve on its predecessor in a few areas. However, we'd also like to honour the original Civic and the impact it – and other small, clever, and frugal cars like the Renault 5 and Fiat 127 – made on the 1970s UK car market.

Buyer beware: this was, like its rival and contemporary the Alfasud, a car with a propensity to rust. The likelihood is that any Mk1 Civics still surviving will have been treated with some decent corrosion protection, so ask to see paperwork showing that any work like this has been done.

20. Skoda Felicia Mk2
    Motoring enthusiasts of a certain vintage may remember Skoda being the butt of some unkind jokes during the 1970s and 1980s. In fact, cars like the Rapid and Estelle were often much loved by their UK owners, but a certain perception of lightweight build quality was hard to shake off (and, possibly, deserved in some cases).

When did this all change? Modern Skoda’s like the Fabia and Octavia, produced under VW ownership, are often credited with turning the company's image around. However, we'd go a little further back and give the title of 'game changer' to the Felicia, Skoda's agreeable late 1990s hatchback.

The Felicia launched soon after the Czech marque was subsumed into the Volkswagen Group, so the car occupies a unique place in Skoda history as both the last 'true' Skoda and the first to point the way towards the brand's new, upmarket image.

Front-wheel-drive, rear-wheel-drive: they're all classics

All these wonderful cars from the past should be cherished and looked after, both as a financial investment and an evocation of a golden age of motoring.

Why not protect your car with some classic car insurance from Lancaster?

Contact us for a quote today.

Policy benefits, features and discounts offered may very between insurance schemes or cover selected and are subject to underwriting criteria. Information contained within this article is accurate at the time of publishing but may be subject to change.