What is the Greatest Classic All-Wheel Drive Car Ever?

August 19, 2014

41 comments

Four-wheel drive has been around for quite a long time. So long in fact that by 1900, several companies were making vehicles with some variety of 4WD. And in that very year a certain Dr. Ferdinand Porsche built his first system. But as cars developed, four-wheel drive saw limited use only in vehicles that were designed to operate off-road for very specific purposes. It wasn’t until the mid-1960s that Jensen fitted their Formula Ferguson full time four-wheel drive (all-wheel drive) to their FF (similar in appearance to the Interceptor but mechanically very different). Subaru followed suit in 1972.

Audi began experimenting with it in the late ’70s and a rule change in 1979 allowed all-wheel drive in the World Rally Championship, but all other manufacturers thought it too complicated. It has been de rigeurin rallying since Audi won their first Championship in 1982. But since Jensen first introduced it on their FF, a myriad of cars have been built that try to tame the asphalt by putting power down through all four wheels. And with output constantly increasing, all-wheel drive keeps increasing in popularity. So we’d like to know what you think.

What is the Greatest Classic All-Wheel Drive Car Ever?

Photo Sources: TheDriversDaily.com, AutoTrendReview.blogspot.com, MotorLegend.com

Tags Audi/ Four-wheel Drive/ Greatest Classic All-wheel Drive Car/ Jensen Classic Car/ Question/ Rally Cars

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C Helme

8 years ago

Lancia Delta of course – it won the World Rally Championship no less than 6 times in a row!!

The Audi Quattro simply used an existing 4WD system from a military vehicle and if I remember correctly did not win that often. How is it the greatest then?…

8 years ago

Jeep CJ. As Enzo Ferarri said, it is America’s only true sports car.

Dennis Cavallino

8 years ago

All AWD Lambo’s minus the Gallardo.

Fausto

8 years ago

Audi Quattro S1 for sure, followed by Lancia Integrale and Porsche 959. These 3 are amongst the mysticism of automotive technology for all they achieved both in technologic advance and winning races.

Ted Uziel

8 years ago

Audi Quattro S1 – this is a no brainer people. This car is the grandfather of all AWD cars. Without it there would be nothing.

Giuseppe Fraschini

8 years ago

The Lancia Delta S4 for sure!

Rick

8 years ago

My vote goes for the Porsche 959, although I gotta say I’ll eat my hat if the Audi Quattro doesn’t win this.

Laurent

8 years ago

Citroën built a 2CV 4×4 between 1961 and 1966.
I think it’s construction, like many Citroën models is quite original. This car uses 2 engines / 2 gearboxes !
I have been in my young age in such a “Deux (2) Cheveaux (CV)”. It has truly impressive crossing capability.
In terms of classic all-wheel drive car ever Audi should get the place number 1…
NEVERTHELESS because I am french 🙂 and I cherish the concept of thinking different 2CV 4×4 is the one I would elect because it was simple and adapted from a model you can come across any village in French on your way to the bakery store in the morning.

Elian Hasanaga

8 years ago

Audi S1 Sport quattro by far

Walter R. Moore

8 years ago

Even though it had a checkered career in rallying, I have to go with the Audi Ur-Quattro and the S1. More than any other modern vehicle they are why you can buy an AWD minivan/luxury car/etc today.

Svetoslav Stoyadinov

8 years ago

It is the Audi S1 Sport quattro! 😉

TheRallyStache

8 years ago

Lancia Delta HF Integrale 16v Evoluzione II. Nothing else dominated WRC for as long as this.

Wolfgang Gullich

8 years ago

Definitely the Lancia Delta Integrale Evoluzione

Bridgetown

8 years ago

When [u]one[/u] supercharged 7L V8 isn’t enough, you’ll need AWD
[IMG]http://i654.photobucket.com/albums/uu268/Reo_Bridgetown/1e35def3aa6f224a2d60eaff0ea5aed3.jpg[/IMG]

Bridgetown

8 years ago

Reply to Bridgetown

[url=”http://s654.photobucket.com/albums/uu268/Reo_Bridgetown/?action=view&current=1e35def3aa6f224a2d60eaff0ea5aed3.jpg][IMG]http://i654.photobucket.com/albums/uu268/Reo_Bridgetown/th_1e35def3aa6f224a2d60eaff0ea5aed3.jpg[/IMG][/url]

Subarista

8 years ago

Subaru SVX LS-L

Crayon760

8 years ago

Reply to Subarista

Let me guess… you own one?

I own[ed] one and it was only good as a GT car. The AWD is there as a safety feature if anything. A Subaru-selling-point for lack of a better term. That car would have been just fine with 6-speed manual and RWD; nevertheless, it is one Subaru’s most interesting cars.

Jake Williams

8 years ago

In my opinion, it’s a tie between the Lancia Delta Integrale or the Nissan Skyline GTR. Both that have outstanding race history, legendary performance, a similar boxy stance, turbochargers, were made as the pinnacle of their field, and are generally revered as some of the best cars ever made, period.

Edward Woods

8 years ago

Lancia Delta S4

Woerkstatt

8 years ago

Definitley the Audi Quattro S1 !

Nicholas Robilliard

8 years ago

BNR32-34 Skyline 4WD

david ferreira

8 years ago

lancia delta integrale!!

William

8 years ago

Audi Quattro, not JUST because of the AWD system, but because of the noise, the racing history, and the entire package. when you think audi, you think a group B car just destroying a rally course

Jose

8 years ago

I’m thinking it’s got to be Audi. Not a specific model but as a company, they brought AWD to the masses. Gotta throw a bone to Subaru but they were boring appliances until the WRX models.

Paul Geudon

8 years ago

Porsche 959.

JB21

8 years ago

Actually, I’m trying to think of a car that’s great because of its all wheel drive, not a great car that happens to have all wheel drive. And only one actually fits the bill in my head is Audi Quattro. I think that’s the only one that I can think of that really changed the perception of what it means to have all wheel drive. Eh, other than Willys Jeep.

Karim

8 years ago

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution and the early Subaru Impreza.

TJ Martin

8 years ago

Oh man . That … is a tough one ! First thought would be the maniacal Lancia Delta S4 . Another candidate being the Porsche 959 . Then one has to mention the verging on the absurd Alfa Romeo DTM car of the 90’s . You cannot leave off the Jensen FF as it was the first . And then there is that madcap original Audi RS4 Avant . Got to consider the Peugeot 205 T16 . And of course no list would be complete without mentioning the uR Quattros in both Rally , Street as well as Sport guise .

Fact is .. I’m spoiled for choices so there’s no way I can pin down just one !

Guest(Dylan) The Justy was part time 4wd … not AWD … and in fact Subaru did not come out with AWD till quite a few years later

Mark Trank

8 years ago

Audi Sport Quattro

Ian Miles

8 years ago

In terms of direct competitors to the Audi, the Pug T16 was more successful and the Integrale much more successful.
In terms of what I would like to own
Integrale EVOII and the R34.

For sheer practicality but perhaps too young RS4 B5.
Very subjective though.

Gianni

8 years ago

Reply to Ian Miles

Have to agree on the 205 T-16. Audi may have pioneered AWD and turbocharging on rally cars, but they stayed married to front engine, long wheelbase too long. The little Pug showed the way with mid engine and short wheelbase, short overhang and was much more successful than the Quattro. The Integrale may have been even more successful, but it was Group A and Group B was ended early.

Parasight

8 years ago

Fiat Panda 4×4.

Crawford

8 years ago

Mazda 323 GTX

Dustin Rittle

8 years ago

As much as i love the Jensen FF. Im gonna have to say the AMC Eagle deserves some credit. It may not have been fast or glamorous but it was affordable comfortable car that just got you where you needed to go. Plus it blazed a trail to all the modern crossovers you see today.

Patrick Frawley

8 years ago

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bf/JeepwwII01.jpg

Tuncay Nergis

8 years ago

Y u no mention Lancia Delta S4? 😮

Jake Williams

8 years ago

Reply to Tuncay Nergis

Though it was fantastic, it doesn’t have that much greatness. Discontinued so shortly after it was made and to an extent can be held accountable for the end of Group B. Though it was the 1st supercharged and turbocharged racing car on record, the Delta Integrale is just more well rounded and accounted for. It had 6 World Rally Championship titles!

Althought, I have to agree, and ESPECIALLY when they designed the ECV. Wish we could’ve seen that in the limelight.

Francisco Miranda P

8 years ago

[b]Lancia Delta Integrale HF[/b]

Matthew Lange

8 years ago

Probably not the greatest but as the first the Jensen FF needs to be on the list.

Maximo Forcieri

8 years ago

Candidates:
Skyline R32
Lancer Evo V
Audi Quattro
Porsche 959
Lancia Delta

and probably many others.

Dylan

8 years ago

Subaru Justy

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What is the Greatest Classic All-Wheel Drive Car Ever?