Seven of the most stylish drives to call shotgun in this summer.

Nothing says summer like piling into your favourite car with friends and heading to the beach, lake or a favourite swimming spot. And if the journey is at least as important as the destination, the vehicle that gets you there can make all the difference to your getaway. Whether you are going to the coast, upstate or further afield, these seven iconic vehicles will get you to where you are going – and well beyond – in impeccable style.

_Heading to the Hamptons this summer? From 14 June to 9 September, MR PORTER is offering same-day delivery to Hamptons addresses.

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You’ve got to love a Jeep. It is the original, quintessential 4x4 utility vehicle, with a lineage dating back to those rugged beasts used by US troops in WWII. Jeeps have traversed every imaginable terrain, from the jungles of southeast Asia to the dunes of Long Island, New York – and not much has changed in the design since the early models were first built, more than 70 years ago. While the 4x4 makes beach drives a cinch, the Jeep’s removeable roof and doors make for easy sun worshipping. Choose your passengers wisely – you’ll have room for two friends. Dog, frisbee and a cooler of beer are optional.

The Land Rover Defender is the British equivalent of the Jeep and was inspired by the original Willys MB Jeep. The Defender found its footing at home on the farm and abroad in wars and performs just as well now, whether sloshing through muddy fields on a Dorset estate or on a leisurely cruise down Main Street, US. Its simple, boxy lines are classics of the form, and only enhanced when the roof is popped off, whether for surf and paddleboard transport, or just to see and be seen. Its charm is in its simplicity.

You won’t be limited in the amount of people, gear and beer you can throw in the back of this beauty. Plus, the flat bed back and drop tail gate make for a great staging area for food and lounging if hanging out in the sand is not your thing. When it comes to trucks, if you’re a Chevrolet kind of guy, the clean lines and bright colours (we were particularly taken by chartreuse) of a 1970s Chevy will always made your heart beat a little faster.

This beauty from the 1980s worked so hard on the salted roads of the north it has its own fan club these days. Those of you lucky enough to find and drive one will no doubt realise what a comfortable weekend ride it is. The 4x4 capability is key here in wending your way to those remote beach and surf locations. But there’s plenty of room in these puppies for your gear and pals. And when push comes to shove, it is a very comfortable car to spend the night in and to wake up in and behold the sunrise before a day spent fishing, say.

Nothing says family-going-camping like a beaten-up, handed-down, held-together-with-bumper-stickers Volvo wagon. Is there a more iconic car to drive to a gin-fuelled clam bake or lobster boil in Amagansett or Ogunquit? It is perfect for exploring secluded secret coves filled to the gills with canvas beach bags, or for taking the kids to the latest Pixar movie when the rain inevitably arrives. Accessorise liberally with labradors, boat shoes and cable-knit sweaters.

Throughout its production, from 1968 to 1988, the Méhari, with its plastic unibody construction, removable canvas roof and simple engine (similar to the 2CV6), was hugely popular as a beach-runner in seaside towns across France and Italy. You can still find them now and again being used by chic beach-goers in St Tropez or by locals in Puglia carting oranges and their catch of the day to the market.

In the 1950s, Sir Alec Issigonis, the father of the Mini, designed the Mini Moke, and it quickly became a must-have for beach lovers. When first driving one, you will find it to be quick, low to the ground, open to the air and often covered with sand after tropical storms. This classic became a symbol of perpetual, if distant, beach fun. The original has subsequently been redesigned and re-engineered. Most of the original design DNA has been kept, which makes every drive in one of these little devils to your favourite seaside bar a little bit more exciting.

For travel recommendations, go to MR PORTER’s Style Council