In northern Portugal, a group of young car enthusiasts transforms old Peugeots and other economy cars into safari-style vehicles, then sets off to explore remote mountains, trails, and backroads. Welcome to Anna Vintage.
It all started when a group of friends decided to cross Portugal from north to south, using only remote trails and backroads. The plan was simple: buy a few cheap old cars, make some minor modifications, pack spare parts and camping gear, and hit the road.
When you think of a typical off-road vehicle, a modified SUV or truck probably comes to mind. What likely doesn’t is a classic sedan tackling terrain it was never designed for.
The cars of choice for this journey were mainly Peugeots – specifically the 205, 309, and 106: simple, lightweight, inexpensive, and nimble. The group tested the cars on local trails, discovering which upgrades they needed. They raised the cars’ suspension, fabricated skid plates, and fitted M/T (mud-terrain) tires before making their inaugural cross-country journey.
The friends thought they were prepared; however, only one vehicle made it the entire way. Many would have seen this as a defeat, but not this group. While the adventure had left them with a collection of broken cars and all the headaches that came with them, it also renewed their sense for living. So why not share the experience with the wider community?
After returning home, they began rebuilding their vehicles, centering every repair and modification around increased durability. They modified the cars’ torsion bar rear suspension to make them more rigid and less bouncy on gravel roads and faster trails. They also found a way to lift the front suspension without compromising axle angles, before performing engine and transmission swaps for more power and closer, rally-spec gear ratios.
Vehicles sorted and Anna Vintage opened up to all, the next step was to complete a series of off-road adventures, starting with a 150km route before increasing the distance to 200km, 250km, and finally 300km. The cars were put through their paces in the mountains, over rocky climbs and fire roads, and even across rivers.
With each event, more and more people signed up, and the quality of the builds grew exponentially. Today, some of these 1980s and ‘90s econoboxes have more than $20,000 invested in them and can be called true safari builds.
Anna Vintage might have started as a fun project between friends, but it has grown into a special off-road community. Kilometer by kilometer, these enthusiasts make the most of their classic cars. And whenever something goes wrong – whether it’s a mechanical issue or getting stuck in a trench – there’s always someone ready to lend a hand.
It’s inspiring to see a group of people breathing new life into old cars while experiencing the best of Portugal’s overland terrain.
