AUSTIN ALLEGRO 1.3L
CHASING CARS
ENGINE 1275cc/4-cyl/ohv POWER 58bhp@5300rpm TORQUE 68lb ft@3000rpm MAXIMUM SPEED 84mph 0-60MPH 18.4sec FUEL CONSUMPTION 32-45mpg TRANSMISSION FWD, four-speed manual + o/d MoT March 2021 ODOMETER 53,218 miles
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?
It’s obvious that this is a prime example of the breed and one that’s in excellent mechanical condition as soon as you move off from rest. It starts as soon as the key is turned, the gearbox has no signs of excessive wear – it’s surprising precise, in fact – and the steering is light and accurate. The clutch is light and free from judders and the 1275cc A-plus engine offers good acceleration around town, as well as being happy enough to bowl along at speed on A-roads. The suspension is soft, with no signs of undue wear, and the handling is engaging yet predictable.
BODYWORK CHECK
The Russet Brown paint and gold side decals gleam. There’s not a spot of rust visible and the underneath – even the sills – looks to be in really good order. The new nearside front wing has obviously been re-painted and some of the paint here feels a little uneven, but is certainly a very good job considering, and doesn’t detract from the car’s overall appearance. All of the brightwork is good, likewise
EXTERIOR
Replacement nearside front wing
INTERIOR
Looks immaculate Non-original seats
MECHANICALS
Excellent throughout the glass and tyres, one of which is a recently fitted Hilo, the others Michelins.
HOW’S THE INTERIOR?
The black and brown interior looks the part. The black seats are, we think, from an Allegro 1500HL and the black door trims are also replacements. Everything on the dashboard seems to work and the steering wheel is in good condition. The headlining and carpets are also good and the Sonya (not Sanyo) radio works as intended.
UNDER THE BONNET
The engine bay is excellent with everything looking as it should. The car completed a 130-mile journey from Folkestone to Milton Keynes
with no problems before our test drive – there were definitely no incidents of overheating or fluid leaks and the fluids themselves look to be in good condition. The car has recently had a full service and new oil seals fitted, along with a new fuel tank.
THE CCW VIEW
It’s been a long time now since a brown Austin Allegro was considered to be in any way undesirable, so if you want a car to create conversation then ditch the Ferrari Dino and buy this, as proven by the interest in the car during our test drive. The car looks really good in the metal and has obviously been looked after by subsequent owners. Mechanically, it’s in great order and would still serve as a useful second car even by today’s standards. There’s plenty of service history and the enthusiast vendor is only selling it because he has too many other classics on the go. The price would have drawn laughs a deacde ago, but this is a good example of a rare model, so we’d suggest that it’s perfectly fair.
PROS General body and mechanical condition CONS Some non-original interior parts
BUY IT FROM Private sale 07766 066222
PRICE
£5950
TEL
07895 675851 (SOMERSET)
6750cc, x reg, Black roof, two tone Grey, MoT October 2021 with no advisories, handbooks and showroom literature, always garaged, HPI clear, could deliver. (SC 3145)