Our favourite soft-top 4x4s

Ever since the iconic Willys Jeep first drove its way into the national consciousness during World War II, car makers have realised that there's a place for a rugged 4x4 with a removable roof.

Here are some of our favourites. Many of these are now of a certain vintage: all of them are candidates for classic motor insurance.

Land Rover Series I, II and III

Other cars that we'll be featuring on this list may have been more opulent, more comfortable, more imposing to look at, or even more of a fashion statement. However, few can claim such an iconic status as the original Land Rover.

For one thing, it's still amazing to recall that the Land Rover ploughed on, with minimal changes, for some 37 years – right from the launch of the very first series back in 1948, until the Series III was retired in 1985 to make way for the 90/110 (later Defender). Indeed, even then, the changes were relatively few and far between, and were mostly limited to a modernised interior and coil springs, instead of leaf springs, for the suspension.

Soft-top versions were an important part of the Land Rover 'Series' line-up right from the start. Indeed, when the very last iteration of the Defender was built in 2016, it was given a soft top, in a homage to its iconic, fabric-roofed predecessor.

You won't have too much of a job getting hold of one of these rugged icons if you're in the market for one. The bodywork has generally aged well: in particular, rust shouldn't be an issue. This is because a post-war steel shortage, combined with an aluminium surplus, meant that Land Rovers got aluminium bodies from the start. Electrics are perhaps more fallible, so check all the switchgear is working as it should on the vintage Land Rover you're inspecting. And prices? Well, you should bank on around £4,000 for, say, a presentable Series II that won't need too much work on it.

Get hold of a soft-top Land Rover Series I, II or III and you've got a sturdy vehicle that should have aged well and that will make an enjoyable runabout, especially with the roof off in summertime. Granted, it's not the last word in comfort or handling, but it will take you wherever you want to go with minimal fuss – and you can relax in the warm glow of owning a little bit of British motoring history.

Here’s a (long) list of the Land Rover variants for which we can provide classic car insurance.

Suzuki SJ-Series

Suzuki's entry into the soft-top 4x4 market was not a bad effort at all. Its famously small size came as a result of needing to comply with Japanese kei car regulations. The kei class is Japan's smallest category of cars, whose minimal dimensions and power outputs make them eligible for road tax discounts. You can read more about the kei class, and some of our favourite examples, in our blog post on the subject.

So it was that the first-generation SJ, of 1970, featured a small engine but some big ambitions. Suzuki had been planning an entry into the four-wheel drive market for some time when, in the late 1960s, they got hold of a Steyr-Puch Haflinger – an Austrian light utility vehicle that was, famously, light enough to be lifted by four grown adults, and which has a cult following to this day.

Then, in 1968, Suzuki acquired their compatriots Hope Motor Company, who had recently gone bankrupt. Hope had designed a small off-road vehicle, the HopeStar ON360, but had been unable to put it into production. Hope's new owners, Suzuki, were able to take on the designs, introducing their own small 4WD, the LJ10 (Light Jeep 10) in 1970. Powered by a 359-cc, two-cylinder engine, the LJ10 soon gave way to the LJ20 and LJ50 – the latter with a comparatively gargantuan 539 cc, three-cylinder engine.

The small Suzuki arguably had its major cultural moment here in the UK during the 1980s, when the second generation became something of a hit. Initially, it was bought to do what it was supposed to do – perform off-road duties with a minimum of fuss. However, before too long, it also became a trendy city car – small and nimble around city streets, yet with a unique ruggedness that set it apart from the Polos and Fiestas that surrounded it.

This second-gen SJ was, like its predecessor, fairly spartan inside, and we wouldn't exactly describe the ride as cosseting – but this stripped-back, no-nonsense aesthetic was all part of the car's unique appeal. The more potent engine – available in either 1.0- or 1.3-litre guises – was also better suited to the British market.

If you're on the hunt now for one of these classic symbols of '80s cool, be on the alert for rust, as the second generation was somewhat corrosion prone. Arrange some suitable classic car insurance as soon as you take ownership in case there is expensive restoration work on the horizon.

Suzuki Vitara

After the success of the SJ (see above), Suzuki decided to venture further into the soft-top 4x4 market with 1989's Vitara. This larger, better-appointed 4x4 came available in both soft-top and tin-top versions – and the former quickly became the bigger seller.

The car was attractively styled and could be a fairly decent performer if you had the right engine. The 1.6-litre, 79bhp unit was no firebreather, but was able to propel the Vitara around at decent speeds. However, if you wanted a bit more pep and/or planned to drive on the rough stuff from time to time, the 2.0-litre V6 was the more attractive option.

Like the SJ before it, and perhaps more so given that its size made it a more attractive option for most buyers, the Vitara quickly became something of a fashion statement during the early 1990s. Because of this, a lot of the used models you'll find today will have extroverted body kits and statement alloy wheels. If you're planning on buying one of these extensively modified versions, check what your classic car insurance policy has to say about aftermarket modifications – these can sometimes invalidate certain claims.

The engines, like those in so many Japanese cars, are reliable and should have long lives. That said, always ask to see a service history. If you're looking at a 2-litre V6 version, check for signs of wear and tear, such as very smoky exhaust, as these units were often revved hard.

Given that the Vitara sold strongly, you should have a decent choice of models out there. You should also be able to pick up a used example for a reasonable sum – say £1,500 for one without too many miles on the clock. Also think about joining the Suzuki 4x4 Club – you'll relate to a large, friendly and knowledgeable community of fellow Suzuki owners, and you may also qualify for club discounts on your classic car insurance.

Land Rover Freelander Softback

The open-top version of today's Range Rover Evoque likes to describe itself as “the world’s first premium compact convertible SUV”. That title is debatable as, back in the day (and you'd definitely be forgiven for having forgotten it), there was a semi-convertible version of the first-generation Land Rover Freelander. Compact? Check. Convertible? Check. Premium? There or thereabouts…

Known as the Freelander Softback, it got a detachable fold-down hood and 'targa' roof panels – so the rear section of the roof came off completely, the forward half only in part. That meant that only the rear-seat occupants really got the full wind-in-the-hair experience, but it was still a fun, clever addition to the very popular Freelander line-up. And, like its hard-top counterparts, the Freelander Softback was decent off-road. The Land Rover badge, meanwhile, gave it that little extra kudos over contemporary rivals such as the Toyota RAV-4.

Jeep Wrangler

The first-generation Jeep Wrangler hit our shores in 1993, by then some six years into its production run back in the States. As such, it didn't take that long to make an impression here. Instead, it was its successor, the TJ generation of 1996-2006, that is the more familiar sight here. Swapping its predecessor's rectangular headlights for round lamps that harked back to the original and iconic Willy's Jeep of 1945, the TJ-era Jeep Wrangler was quite an improvement over the first iteration.

For one thing, the TJ traded the previous leaf-spring suspension for coil springs, resulting in a more forgiving ride. This was much appreciated by Wrangler owners, who tended to be a little more serious in their off-roading ambitions than, say, Toyota RAV-4 or Suzuki SJ owners. Yes, this was a proper off-roader that really would go anywhere you asked it.

Some continuity was retained from the first generation, with the presence of a soft-top option. Engine choices this time included a 2.5-litre four-cylinder unit, and a pokier, 4-litre straight-six. The latter is the sensible choice if you’re planning any serious off-roading.

Their cult following and a certain niche in the market means that you should expect to pay upwards of £5,000 for any TJ-generation Wrangler. If they are well-preserved, that sum will easily go north of £8,000. And, though they are relatively young compared to some of the cars we're profiling here, we'd recommend classic car insurance to protect those hard-working 4x4s.

Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon

The Mercedes G-Wagon, or G-Class as it's known these days, has been doing its rugged, no-nonsense thing since 1979, when some of the cars in our list were still but a designer's daydream.

The sturdy, straight-edged G-Wagon was originally developed after a suggestion from the Shah of Iran, who at the time was a major shareholder in Mercedes-Benz. The car had been extensively tested during development in the mid-1970s: prototype G-Wagons had pitted themselves against the Sahara Desert, the Arctic Circle, and various German coalfields, and had come out smiling.

Initially a military-only vehicle, the G-Wagon was first offered in civilian guise right at the end of the 1970s. Interestingly, the first army to use the vehicle was the Argentine Army, from 1981.

The following year, during the Falklands War, an Argentine G-Wagon was captured by the British, and later saw service with the Royal Air Force. The car also saw some distinguished civilian use early in its career.

In 1980, the Vatican ordered a bespoke G-Wagon with a clear thermoplastic top, which then served as the Popemobile when John Paul II visited Germany that year.

These days, the G-Class is the very epitome of the posh off-roader. It was way back in 1990, in fact, that the civilian versions took a step upmarket, bringing them closer to a Range Rover in feel.

In came wood trim, leather panels, and plusher seats, and suddenly the G-Class was a compelling choice for those wanting to head off the highway (or even stay on it) in style.

From 1997, crucially, the soft-top version got a power-assisted folding mechanism. If you're looking at acquiring a G-Class soft-top from '97 onwards, you'll want to check – among other things – that this mechanism is still doing its job smoothly. Protect yours with some specialist classic car insurance from the specialists.

Citroen Mehari

At the opposite end of the scale from the big, bulletproof Mercedes G-Wagon is the Citroen Mehari – a marvellously lightweight and likeable soft-top utility vehicle, perhaps more akin to a golf buggy than anything else, but available in a 4x4 version as well as the more common 2WD format.

The latter weighed in at just 570kg, less than a Mini: the 4x4 configuration added a little weight, but this was still one seriously light and agile 4x4. The Mehari was never hugely popular here, but they certainly caught on in their native France. Indeed, they were (and, for all we know, still are) popular cars for cruising up and down the promenade in that country's Mediterranean resorts.

The car had a 20-year production lifetime, from 1968 to 1988, although the four-wheel drive format only lasted a short chunk of that run, from 1980 to 1983.

The light weight was achieved by building the bodywork from plastic and adding a foldable and stowable, fabric roof. You may recognise the headlamps and bezels, which came from Citroen's Dyane family car. The 4WD models, meanwhile, can be singled out by the spare wheel, sited in the bonnet recess.

And the name? That would be the French for a dromedary, the fast camel that is used for both racing and transport. The implication being that one of those perky, nimble, soft-top Citroens will take you almost as far across the desert (although you'd need the 4WD format for that job).

The Mehari may have looked more lightweight than the other cars on our list but, in 4x4 form, it was capable of more than merely light off-road duties. The gearbox had four normal speeds and a three-speed transfer gearbox for crossing slopes up to 60%.

At the time, the car was also one of the few 4WD production cars with four-wheel independent suspension. All-wheel disc brakes further boosted its go-anywhere abilities.

We're definitely fans – as we explained in a little more detail in our post, 50 years of the Citroen Mehari.

Willys Jeep

With apologies to the Land Rover above, the Willys Jeep is the first and probably the best-known open-top 4x4 ever produced.

The Jeep's origin story is well known when the Americans joined the Second World War late in 1941, after the bombing of Pearl Harbour, the US Army demanded a general purpose vehicle that could quickly and efficiently take staff anywhere they needed to be. A company named Willys-Overland won the contract, and the Jeep (the name was derived from GP, or General Purpose) came into being.

The Jeep went on to play a hugely important role in the Allies' war effort, with President Eisenhower later labelling it one of the US' three decisive weapons during the conflict. By the time the war ended in 1945, almost 640,000 Jeeps had been built to Willys' designs: the vast majority had been used by the Americans, while 87,000 went to the British Army and some 46,000 were taken by the Russians. It was a hugely influential vehicle in the unfolding of the Second World War.

Nowadays, the Willys Jeep is a rightly venerated classic, with owners regularly bringing their lovingly maintained Jeeps to military vehicle events across the UK. If you are the owner of one of these hugely significant off-roaders, make sure you're protecting it with some classic car insurance – or indeed some military vehicle insurance, which we're also proud to provide here at Lancaster.

Toyota RAV-4 Mk1 Convertible

Like one or two other cars in this article, the first generation of Toyota's RAV-4 crossover genuinely made history when it was launched back in 1994. A ground-breaking small 4x4, the new Toyota set the template for many future crossovers when it went on sale that summer. No RAV-4, no Nissan Qashqai, or Skoda Yeti? We don’t think that's too bold a claim.

Essentially, what the RAV-4 managed was to combine off-road abilities with genuinely enjoyable handling on normal road conditions. Up until this point, compact 4x4s like Suzuki's SJ or the Land Rover were perfectly capable in the rough stuff but a little, well, agricultural on ordinary tarmac. That was because their solid axle suspension made them tough on poor road conditions, but unyielding on smoother surfaces.

Toyota's ever-inventive engineers decided to change that, giving the RAV-4 fully independent suspension, something which was typically only seen on the better class of sports cars at the time. That meant that their new off-roader could keep all four wheels on the ground at any speed, thus drastically bringing down the car's unsprung weight and, essentially, planting it on the road.

All of which sounds ordinary now, but it was fairly advanced stuff at the time, especially for a vehicle that was capable of setting off through a ploughed field if required. Add to that some increased ground clearance and hatchback dimensions, and you had yourself a car which could cope admirably wherever you took it.

And yes, that first generation came with a soft-top option, something which the next four generations sadly eschewed. Just another asset that made the Mk1 RAV-4 a very capable car for several different situations.

Classic car insurance – on and off road

This trawl through some of our favourite soft-top 4x4s has included some fascinating footnotes in automotive history, from the cheeky Citroen Mehari to the short-lived Land Rover Freelander Softback.

It's an eclectic list – but, dare we say it, somewhat less eclectic than the vast range of classic cars for which we can provide classic off-road car insurance, here at Lancaster.

From Jaguar to MGB, via pretty much everything in between, we can arrange classic car insurance for a vast range of vintage and modern classic cars. Why not contact us to see if we can insure your classic?

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.