I really would love to see a comparison between 205 and 185 section width tires in the snow on the same car in a few inches of snow, rain and dry. I get the idea behind it but I have serious doubts that it makes anywhere near enough of an impact for people to be so adamant about it.
I've gone to skinnier tires for my winter set up before with prior vehicles and decided both times it was a mistake and not worth sacrificing non-snow grip for what, to me, was an indistinguishable benefit.
Also, the 1970 beetle might have been the best car you've driven in the snow not exclusively because it had 145 section width (winter?) tires but because it weighs almost 1,000lbs less than the FiST and better weight distribution with you driving it. My Miatas were fantastic to drive in the snow with winter tires on.
I've gone to skinnier tires for my winter set up before with prior vehicles and decided both times it was a mistake and not worth sacrificing non-snow grip for what, to me, was an indistinguishable benefit.
Also, the 1970 beetle might have been the best car you've driven in the snow not exclusively because it had 145 section width (winter?) tires but because it weighs almost 1,000lbs less than the FiST and better weight distribution with you driving it. My Miatas were fantastic to drive in the snow with winter tires on.