Allegro Club International

[Andrew Smyth]

Hi folks,

I'm brand new to the club, although my interest in Allegros goes back to my 80's childhood, when my grandparents had a lovely Harvest Gold example. (although my Grandmother always insisted on calling it 'biscuit' coloured.

A few years ago when my Gran died, I bought myself a 1.3 S2 (Denim Blue) Super Auto on eBay from a guy in Blackpool, sight unseen for £200. 'Vera' was in all honesty, probably in need of more restoration than an novice like me could cope with, but we had 8 months of awesome fun together before she came to an untimely end when I stopped for a red traffic light & van behind me didn't.

Domestic life got in the way of me replacing her with another Allegro for the last few years, but I'm planning to rectify that in the (very) near future.

I'm planning to attend the 40th Anniversary Celebrations at Gaydon in May, I look forward to meeting a few of you there

Andy

[M. Irvine]

May I be the first to wish you a very warm welcome to ACI, and hope to meet you at the national.

Merv.
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ALLEGRO = Agile, Lively, Legendary, Economical, Genial, Reliable & Outstanding.

[Richard Howe]

Welcome!

I can't answer the poll, as I am a fan of E series engines but I recognise the importance of the A series cars. It's really horses-for-courses; E series parts are harder to come by, so if you're in an area with limited resources go for an A series.
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...that's why Allegro will look as good 5 years from now as it does today.

[Andrew Smyth]

Thanks guys!

[J Dawson]

Welcome to the Club.

I too cannot answer the poll as I have no direct experience of the E-Series engine and 'box. In theory it should be the better engine as it is more modern and has a 5-speed gearbox, but I understand they actually wear faster than an A-Series.

Depending on how an A-Series has been used and maintained a lifespan of anywhere between 20,000 and 120,000 miles.

As a general guide they are past their best at around 60,000 miles.
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Austin - you can DEPEND on it!

1976 Allegro 1100 4-dr saloon

Squeak, rattle & roll

[Paul-V]

I too cannot answer the poll, as the heart would give one answer, and the head the opposite.

The A-series is robust, easy to work on, has great potential for improvement and of course every man and his dog stocks spares for it.
An A+ in MG Metro tune (or above) with suitable gearing makes an Allegro a great car to drive. Another A-series advantage is the light weight of the unit making a nicely-balanced handling experience.

The E-series is difficult to get spares for nowadays, is heavier and there is less potential to upgrade it without spending serious money. Contest over?
Not quite. With masses of torque being available from very low down in the rev range (you really can drive around town in 5th gear!), once you have driven a 1750 (even in single carb form) you may find an A-series just lacking in something for ever more!

[Colin T]

I have answered the poll, purely based on longevity of production, general reputation, availability of spares and ease of tuning.

I must admit that I have owned 2 E series Allegro's but never actually driven one on the road!

Andy - there is a 1.3 HLS on eBay at the moment. Worth a look?
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Hell has frozen over...... the car formally known as 'Heap' is back on the road!

[Andrew Smyth]

I've just spotted this on ebay

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1977-austin-allegro-13-super-/181071218075?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item2a28af859b

Its in N.Ireland and almost exactly what I've been after, (series 2, 1.3, funky colour, seemingly good condition).

Downside is the price - I'd not envisaged spending over a grand (although the value in not having to ferry it back from the mainland would be a bonus).


Also, I'm a little unsure as to how original it is? I've never seen an S2 with that amount of rubber on the front bumper, or in the sealing around the windows, or the two tone effect on the boot. All of which is making me a little wary.


Advice please!

[Richard Howe]

The chin spoiler is an S3 addition, only ever fitted to S2 Equipes. The boot's paintscheme is inspired by the Specials of the day, so that's period & acceptable. As for the rubber trim on the windows, that's likely down to a replacement windscreen using an S3 rubber; again, not period, but would have happened more often than not. I think they've aimed high for a "restored" car that's not actually been detailed properly, especially if they think it's suitable for concours, but if the metalwork's been properly attended to then it could well be worth a haggle.

Prices for good cars are on the up, so you may need to adjust your budget.
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...that's why Allegro will look as good 5 years from now as it does today.

[Andrew Mallett]

Hi Andrew, (Quality name by the way)

Welcome to the club.

This model whilst looking very nice indeed is far from original i'm afraid, the only thing that looks original on the inside are the carpets and on the outside, the boot lid, bumpers, front grill and possibly the front wings and body shell but on the plus side, if it's had a total restoration it should be very solid.

He only has one feedback as a seller going back to April 2009 and it's a bad one at that.

To make sense of what I've put below, Series 3 models came out in late 1979 till early 1981. They were then replaced with Series 3 facelift models up until the end of production towards the end or 1982.

These are the parts which I can see that aren't original:

Series 3 facelift dashboard. (Yellow dials)
Series 3 indicator arm and wiper arm. (Opposite way round on Series 2)
Series 3 facelift seats and door trims.
Allegro Equipe steering wheel. (Very rare)
Non original gear knob.
Series 1 "Allegro" bonnet badge. (No bonnet badge on Series 2 models)
Series 3 facelift bonnet (Incorporating screen washer jets as opposed to two seperate washer jets on the bulkhead as on Series 2 models.)
Series 3 front spoiler. (No spoiler on Series 2 Super models)
Series 3 wheel trims. (Should be chrome hubcaps)
Series 3 satin black door glass surrounds (Should be stainless steel)
Late Series 2, Series 3 exterior door handles. (Chrome frames the outer edge of the door handles on Series 2 Super models up to 1978 I think)
Panel between door glass (B post) should be same colour as car and not satin black. (This is a Series 3 finish)
Series 3 black drivers door mirror. (Should be stainless steel, should have passenger door mirror also)
Series 3 facelift front and rear screen rubbers. (Should have chrome effect insert in the screen rubbers. Not possible to do with Series 3 facelift screen rubbers as there's no provision for an insert)
Chrome effect drip rail trims missing on the roof. (Just above doors)
Boot panel should be car coloured. (Satin black is a Series 2 1500 Special finish)
Wipers should be stainless steel.
Side stripes not original.
Front fog lights are a genuine Allegro aftermarket accessory. (Not standard on Series 2 Super models but a bonus to have)

It looks a genuine Series 2 Allegro colour but there's a chance it might not be.

No engine pictures so could be original A series or possibly the A+ engine which was fitted to Series 3 facelift models and the amount of Series 3 facelift parts on this car makes that a possibility. (A+ is a better engine)

With the amount of Series 3 parts on this car, could it possibly be a Series 3 late facelift body shell as it doesn't have the screen washer jets on the bulkhead as Series 2 and early Series 3 and some early Series 3 facelift models do plus it would take a fair bit of work to fit a Series 3 dashboard also. The holes in the bulkhead for the screen washer jets could have been filled in though. It does have a Series 2 boot lid and front wings. (No side repeaters as on Series 3 models) The front wings could have been replaced though in which case they possibly wouldn't have had the holes for the side repeaters.

Hope i've not confused you with all this.

Good luck on your decision. Think i'd take a punt on it if it's as solid and as good as it looks but i'd explain to him it's far from original and use that (and possibly his bad sellers feedback) to try and knock the price down. Personally i'd aim at £1000, £1200 at a push.
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Bloke from Norfolk.

[Andrew Smyth]

Thanks folks & especially to Andrew for such a comprehensive reply.

I spent an enjoyable afternoon in work after I'd posted this playing 'spot the anachronism', and whilst I got quite a few (including the dash) I feel that Andrew M deserves a very special Anorak for his list!

I might take a friend up & have a look at it. But my gut feeling is that if he's paid so little attention to originality in the obvious places, what nasties are hidden elsewhere?

It's just so unusual to find one in Northern Ireland - shame it's such a mongrel!

[Paul-V]

I would add that the colour, which appears to be Pageant Blue, was not available on the Allegro until 1978.

The listing on eBay has now ended.

[Andrew Mallett]

Hmmm!
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Bloke from Norfolk.

[J Dawson]

Please note that rust is the problem in a car of this age - everything else bar scarce trim is easy and cheap enough to put right.

If this car was rust-free it would've been worth considering.

Do you know the areas to check for rust on an Allegro?
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Austin - you can DEPEND on it!

1976 Allegro 1100 4-dr saloon

Squeak, rattle & roll

[Andrew Mallett]