Allegro Club International

[louisebastock]

For a long time I was frightened of Allegros! Along with tinted spectacles, electronic music (think Moog type stuff) and Anna Ford.

Now, however, my fascination with all things 70's and the need for a new motor has led me to buy my lovely Allegro. I've been umming and arring about getting one for a while now as the childhood "fear" has subsided!!

My first car was a 1988 Citroen 2cv, it was a pet, a friend and at times a complete pain in the backside! I had a talent for breaking it so I gained much experience in engine and gearbox changes! Having owned it for nearly 10 years and retiring it from its daily-driver duties (company van instead), I began to get itchy feet. A 1975 left hooker did spur my enthusiasm but a mega brake system fail and short MOT meant my life as an owner of 2 2cvs was short! So I sold both and started to look for something more sensible.

In the end I just couldn't resist something quirkey, and most of my dream motors (70's Fords, Vauxhalls, Citroens, Renaults etc) had either gone beyond my budget or were just unobtainable. One which kept appearing in the paper or on e-Bay was the Allegro. I thought though, that my desire for a series one would leave me disappointed too; after all, there can't be many and they must be desirable....

Then I saw the advert for this one on a Saturday evening and rushed off to view it the following morning. It was love at first sight and I had to have it!

As I was on call I couldn't collect it that week, my sister and her boyfriend decided a mercy mission was a good way to spend the weekend! She drove it the 3 hours to my house and loved it too!

Its a bit of a bitsa, having been converted from an Auto box to a manual from a scrapped estate, it now sports a 1275 A+ engine, and I believe its known to the club. Anyway enough chat, this thread is worthless without pics!

Here it is:


by the time Abby arrived with the car I was so excited!


She was so impressed with the size of the boot she had to demonstrate:


Abby thinks its SUPER!


We did a bit of an "Equipe" shot to celebrate:

[Colin T]

Welcome to the club - looks like a very nice S1 you have, and the A+ should make it a slightly better daily driver. My Allegro is my only car and is very usable and practical for an 30+ year old car. If you have any problems there are very helpful people here who can probably help.
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Hell has frozen over...... the car formally known as 'Heap' is back on the road!

[louisebastock]

Thanks

The only problems I've found so far are:

The windscreen washer on the passenger side has squirted only once!
The indicator cancels when indicating right but turning left (say on a roundabout) but at no other time (what is it supposed to do?)
There is a judder when changing down
The rear screen dimister switch seems dodgy

And I want the brakes checked, because although I find them ok Abby and my boyfriend both think they don't work!??!

Also I want the coach line and the 1300 and BL badge on the wing that has been repainted... Any ideas where I can find them?

[liverpoolallegro]

Welcome to the club and the Allegro Experience!

Cracking series one you've got there.I've always loved the polished army tank look of Tundra. Did you collect this car from near Southport by any chance? If so when I was the area organiser up there I met an old guy who owned it at the time when he came to a couple of our events.

The contacts in the Heated Rear Window switch always get worn out but new switches turn up on ebay quite often are are very cheap. I reckon you'll find the brakes are fine but your friends aren't used to driving a car wthut a servo.

Good luck with the car and enjoy Allegro ownership

Jon

[Laurence]

Hi Louise, nice looking two-door you've there, welcome to the Club.

You may be able to unblock the screenwash jet by using a needle or by using the straw supplied with WD40, squirt the WD40 into the jet.

The indicator switch lug may be broken or worn, you may have to remove the steering wheel to have a good look.

The rear screen heater switch could be burnt-out, try Earlpart 01773 719504 for all Allegro bits & pieces, even badges & coachlines etc or The Electrical Parts Company Ltd 01584 811118 for Lucas switches etc.

The judder could be caused by loose or broken engine top steady brackets, the LH bracket fractures inside, the RH bracket works loose on the engine so grasp the engine & shake it to & fro to check for excess movement.
The engine mounts could be loose or split (the rubber perishes etc) & the shock absorbers could be duff. Remove each shock absorber & test them by forcing them to collapse, if they collapse easily they're shot.
Also check the metalastic bush on the diff housing for the lower steady bar, the rubber insert perishes & goes gooey due to engine oil leaks.

Strip out the brakes & check for seized front pads (they seize into the caliper) seized caliper sliders, seized caliper pistons.
Check the rear brakes for seized pistons, seized cylinders in the sliders, seized adjusters, contaminated shoes caused by leaking wheel cylinders or hub seals.
Check the discs for wear/corrosion & the drums for wear & glazing, if they are serviceable have them skimmed to freshen them up, cheers, Laurence.

[Richie G]

Hello Louise,
Welcome to the club!
Always lovely to see new members joining up as the membership does seem to be dwindling which is a shame,so more members joining is Fab!!
Your car is lovely and i hope i see it at the shows this year
BL day is a must in Peterborough!!

take care

Richie
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We own 7 allegros !

[kevin]

Hi Louise,
Great to see another new member and a fine example of an allegro.
I have only recently joined the club but in a very short time have found everyone really nice and Very helpful when it comes to a problem you may have.
May I also say if you get a chance to go on your local club meet doit my partner and I had a great laugh and can't wait for the next one.
Hope you have lots of quality (no breakdowns!!) driving
Cheers Kev

[louisebastock]

I wonder where the nearest meeting is? I'm in darkest North-West Wales.

[kevin]

Hi Louise have just checked the latest edtion of quartic and North wales has it's own group.
The organiser is John Marston Jones so drop him a line and find out where the club meets. All the best Kev

[Paul-V]

Hi Louise, and welcome.......

British Leyland's cost-cutting measures meant that badges were only fitted to the side facing the pavement (yes, seriously!)

And, in the case of those of us who own the 1750 version, so that the Escort and Viva drivers could see exactly what was overtaking them

As regards the coachline, the club spares service has some coachline in stock: not entirely sure what the correct colour would be, but if you write to Colin, I am sure he will help.

Best of luck with the North West crew, they are a friendly, enthusiastic and helpful bunch and John, the organiser, has a 2-door series 1 Allegro 1300 too.

all the best


Paul

[bigmatt1975]

Hi Louise

My Name Is Matt , I am a member of the North West ACI
I Joined Last Year When I brought My Vanden Plas Allegro ,which Like Yourself ,I put off doing for many Years.
This Is a Great Club to Be In ,Everbody is Very Helpfull and Frendly

It Is nice to see sombody else in the North West with a allegro ( Yours Is Very Nice & Very Rare By the way).

As A group we meet up once a month on the 1st Friday at 7.30 at the Swan ,Bucklow Hill,Knutsford for a Meal ( which is super ) and a chat & Laff.. http://www.premierinn.com/en/hotel/KNUPTI/knutsford-bucklow-hill


The North West Events Guy is called John Marsden Jones ( His Allegro was on the front of this months Practical Classics) Like Yourself John Is Welsh so I think He Will be Happy to Meet You
Also There Is a Chap Called Andy Robinson who knows Every Nut and Bolt of These Cars so Is Very Useful to Know.
And there Is a Young Guy Called Alex who brought His 1st Allegro when He was 16 and He Owns a 2 Door Series 1 in White.

If You Plan To Show Your car John & Andy can Help You ( passes etc) I do Recomend Tattton Park Classic car Show on 5-6 June .

Hope You Can Come, Next Meet is 5/3/10 7.30.
Bye for Now
Matt
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Matthew Whiteley
1975 Alegro 1300 Super Harvest Gold,running (Named Hector) Harris Mann's Favorite!!
1978 VP1750 BRG To be restored.
1995 Rover 25 Impression x BRG,Daily (named Brian)

[louisebastock]

Is it rare? Really?
Is it true about the badges only being on the one side?


I've bought the car knowing little or nothing about Allegro, so I'll have loads of questions!

I will try and make a meeting at somepoint, but Knutsford is a bit of way away!


Thanks for the welcome!

[AlexB]

Welcome to the club, looks like we've got ourselves an Allegro Club pin-up

Had to do a double take looking at your Allegro; there's an old boy who lives not far from me who owns an identical car. So just to kill the curiosity, and being the sad individual that I am- I took a slight detour home from work tonight just to have a nosey up his driveway, and low and behold... his old Agg still remains, alongside an Austin A30; both of which are starting to look a tad sorry for themselves!

Your car is rare being a series 1, and is worthwhile keeping nice as they only made Allegros with Quartic steering wheels for approx. 2 years of
the car's 10 year production, so as you can imagine the survivors that still move under their own steam are starting to dwindle somewhat. I've got a 'fleet' of two of the said beasts, soon to be slimmed down to the one, but would find any excuse to have another!

Enjoy your car

Cheers,
Alex.
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'When you're travelling economy, go first class'

[Andrew Clare]

Hi Louise and welcome to the club. I went to look at your Allegro and test drove it and thought it was a cracking little car and a very honest guy. I was in all intent ready to buy it myself and then my Freelander blew a gasket and my computer blew up so never managed to buy it. I was a bit peeved but then I saw your photo in CCW and was glad it has found a careing owner. Best of luck with her, she should do you proud and look forward to meeting up again at a show sometime. Andrew

[LankyTim]

Hi Louise, I think I saw a pic of this car in the motoring press recently? I cant remember where though.

Thats a great looking car, its always nice to see something a bit different. Allegro ownership is great fun but no doubt you'l learn to swing a spanner with the best of them!

Anyway, welcome to the club. Its about time someone bought some glamour to it .
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1979 Allegro 1500 S2 special 4 door saloon
Previous allegros,
1977 Allegro 1300 super 2 door. SCRAPPED
1978 Allegro 1300 super 2 door. SCRAPPED