Although electric cars are becoming more prevalent and the ULEZ scheme is consigning some diesel cars to history, the classic car industry in the UK is surviving.
Around the country, there are hundreds of businesses that are either restoring, maintaining, racing or converting electric cars.
Some are being returned to their original condition while others are having their engines replaced by electric motors to give them a new lease of life.
Despite attempts to keep them on the roads, some are still being lost to the ether. According to new figures from car leasing comparison site LeaseLoco there are still over 330,000 vehicles that are 40 years or older.
The car leasing comparison site revealed that 338,697 vehicles have a first registration date older than 1984 and that of these 41,217 have a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) by their name.
This means there are 297,480 cars that are on the roads and registered to be driven on the UK’s highways and LeaseLoco has put together the ultimate top 10 of classic car survivors.
In 10th place is the Triumph Stag. Built between 1970 and 1977, this iconic British sports car was meant to be as impressive as the animal it was named after. There are still 4,508 versions on the road, greater than the population of Holt, Norfolk.
Up next in ninth spot, there are 5,575 classic Rolls Royces on Britain’s streets. Although the company doesn’t specify which model of Rolls Royce, it is impressive that existing owners have cared for these treasured rarities.
Slipping ahead of the Rolls Royce is the Volkswagen with 5,630 classic examples from the Beetle to the Camper Van and Sirocco burbling through Britain’s towns, villages, and cities.
In seventh place is Morris with 6,086 examples. In common with Volkswagen and Rolls Royce, no specific model is specified. The Morris car company was founded in the early-20th century and made versions of the Mini towards the end of its life.
In sixth place is the Morris Minor. The hatchback of its day, some can still be seen in London and at classic car and country fairs. Today there are 6,235 examples of the now rare automobile in the UK.
Beating the Morris Minor into the top five is the tiny MG Midget with 6,689 still on the road. A baby sportscar launched in 1961, one of these little cars was driven by Jeremy Clarkson in an episode of Top Gear.
Missing out on the top four is the Austin with 9,487 examples. Austin built of variety of cars during its hey day including the Mini which has become an even bigger success under BMW ownership.
In third place is the Morris Minor 1000 with 10,393 examples on the roads. 1000 refers to the size of the engine (which had 948cc). It was produced in both the UK and Australia before it died out in 1971 along with the Minor itself.
The top two are theoretically the same car, just different specifications. The MG B GT is the higher specification of the MG B. There are 12,829 B GTs remaining, but an astonishing 15,482 standard Bs still going. It’s no surprise then that the little two-seat sports car – a budget Jaguar E-Type is Britain’s most popular classic car.
Speaking about the results, LeaseLoco’s CEO John Wilmot said: “Amidst the hustle and bustle of modern roads, nearly 300,000 vehicles considered classics are still running more than 40 years after they were first registered, each a testament to enduring craftsmanship and automotive history.
“From the timeless allure of MGBs to the nostalgic charm of Morris Minors and the regal presence of Rolls Royces, these classic cars evoke a sense of nostalgia and admiration. They continue to capture the imagination and enrich our motoring landscape, preserving the legacy of bygone eras for generations to come.”
