Allegro Club International

[Andrew Smyth]

Well, it's finally arrived, the day when I pick up my 1974 White 1100 2dr DL.

Flying over to Heathrow at lunchtime, picking her up this afternoon, spending tonight with a mate in Slough then driving her up to Birkenhead (a mere 209 miles!) for the ferry home tomorrow.

It will be an especial adventure as Rose has travelled the grand total of 4 miles in the last ten years - to the MoT centre & back in 2011 and again last month.


I haven't even had a test drive in her yet - she looked so amazingly well preserved it would have been insulting to suggest it to the owners.

I'll be sure to keep you all posted as to how I get on over the next few days - if all goes to plan, we should be back in Belfast at 06:30 on Friday morning, and she should be entered in her first show in Banbridge on Friday evening.

How do I go about loading pictures onto these threads? for anyone who is really interested you can find me on Facebook or twitter @antisyzygy

[Richard Howe]

We don't host pictures like some forums, but if you have somewhere to put them (twitter, imgur, flickr, etc.) then you just find the URL & link them thusly:

[J Dawson]

Eagerly awaiting photos.
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Austin - you can DEPEND on it!

1976 Allegro 1100 4-dr saloon

Squeak, rattle & roll

[Andrew Smyth]

Well,

The journey home was delightfully uneventful,

I flew into Heathrow on Wednesday, I was staying with a friend who picked me up at the airport, & after dropping my bags off at his (near Slough) and a quick cuppa we headed off to do the 21 miles or so to collect the Allegro from the vendor in Princes Risborough.

I hadn't test driven her when I went to view last month, and as she had only covered 4 miles in the last ten years (driving back from the MOT centre), I wasn't too sure what to expect.

A combination of inexperience on my part in driving older cars and having been garaged for so long made the drive home a little hairy - to be honest, it wasn't helped by rush hour traffic and the fact I was following someone else down roads in an area I'm completely unfamiliar with.

I was a little concerned by the distinct burning aroma on the 6 miles of M40 back to Slough, so we opted the next day to leave as early as possible for Birkenhead, despite the fact check-in didn't open till after 8.

We set off at 9am, and had to do a tour of several garages before we managed to obtain a bottle of Castrol Valvemaster Plus in Halfords at High Wycombe. I wanted to burn out as much of the old petrol as possible without disturbing too much sediment at the bottom of the tank, so we left filling up until we reached Warwick Services.

By this stage, it was quite clear that Rose could more than handle the journey - we kept at a steady 50 behind a HGV, no unusual sounds or smells whatsoever.

We made it into Liverpool by 3pm & had a delightful evening down by the Albert Dock in the glorious sunshine.

The overnight ferry home was completely uneventful, my heart was in my mouth when I saw how steep the ramp was we had to drive up to get onto the deck, but Rose took it completely in her stride.

We made it into Belfast for 06:30 on Friday morning & we down at her 1st show in Banbridge that evening (after a thorough wash and wax to remove any salt spray from being on the outer deck of the ferry overnight!)

She has attracted lots of attention - people have even been following me home to ask questions about her.

I've posted a selection of photos here

http://www.flickr.com/photos/97324745@N08/sets/72157634043211405/

Andy

[Andrew Smyth]

On a related note, I need to agree a valuation with the insurance company (Flux).

I was thinking £1,500 but based on experience & the photo gallery, does this seem sensible?

[J Dawson]

I think £1500 is sensible for an agreed valuation.

It is a very nice, clean car. What are your plans for it?
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Austin - you can DEPEND on it!

1976 Allegro 1100 4-dr saloon

Squeak, rattle & roll

[Richard Howe]

To replace her with one in similar condition, especially a 2 door, I think you should aim higher - at least £2k, £3k if they'll accept it.
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...that's why Allegro will look as good 5 years from now as it does today.

[AlexB]

What a really nice, original looking car. I have one spare Sorrel vinyl seat cover for the taking if one of your's is past its best, although looking at the photos, that clearly isn't the case!

Enjoy
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'When you're travelling economy, go first class'

[Andrew Smyth]

Thanks guys, I'll put in for 2k & expect to agree £1,500

The plan had been to get a 'usable' daily driver, however, the milage on this one is so low & she is in such good condition that I feel guilty about the 500 miles I put on her in the space of a week, and am trying to use her sparingly over the summer, with the hope of getting an 80s Super-mini for daily & winter use.

She's booked in for lots of shows over the summer - I plan to get her a good coating of Waxoil in the next week or so to try and preserve her as best I can.

[Colin T]

Very nice!

Love the period mudflaps and reverse/rear fog lamps.

You've got yourself a beauty there.
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Hell has frozen over...... the car formally known as 'Heap' is back on the road!

[Richard Howe]

I felt weird about doing the Belgium run in Gonzo, after all he only had 25k on him when I bought him and that one run accounted for 20% of the mileage that he's gained since then! But then, cars are meant to be used - Teresa's magnificent HLS has done some major runs despite its still-low mileage.
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...that's why Allegro will look as good 5 years from now as it does today.

[Tom]

Andrew, the car looks really lovely and so original.

In my opinion it is far to good to use daily if you are doing a high annual mileage. I use my 1989 Austin Metro as a runaround and it takes a massive amount of work to keep it in tip top condition and I only do about 4000 miles a year in her.

I think it should be valued at £2k especially with the amount low mileage original Allegros have been fetching of late.

Like you say, get another 80s car as a daily driver and use the Allegro during the summer for pleasure motoring
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Tom
North Thames Events Organiser

[Andrew Smyth]

In case I didn't bore you enough on here at the time with the details of the search for the perfect Allegro, here's a blogpost I've written for Retro & Classic Cars on the experience.

http://retroandclassiccars.com/2013/08/11/your-cars-andrew-smyths-austin-allegro-s1-1100dl-1974/

[Andrew Smyth]

I've just got Rose back from a thorough coating of Waxoyl (2 gallons!) and am taking her tomorrow for a Hydrogas pump up and a steering alignment.

Out of curiosity, how often should you get your car Waxoyled?


I would have thought every two years would be more than enough, but a friend is suggesting it should be done annually

[J Dawson]

Yes every year ideally, depends on how you use the car though - obviously all year round it needs more attention.

I don't use Waxoyl anymore as it's not the best and some tests showed it to be almost useless. Bilt-hamber, Rustbuster and Dynax all market acclaimed cavity wax.

I also like to spray underneath in some areas with old sump oil thinned out a bit with paraffin.
_________________
Austin - you can DEPEND on it!

1976 Allegro 1100 4-dr saloon

Squeak, rattle & roll