Closing date July issue -> May 19
Austin Allegro 1300 HL (1976). Beloved classic.
In the 70s, British Leyland Netherlands proudly proclaimed that there were tens of thousands of satisfied Austin Allegro drivers in the Netherlands. Worldwide, total production eventually rose to 642.350 cars, distributed across various versions. According to the brochures, the buyer received a modern-lined body, comfortable handling, and remarkably spacious interior. And this Allegro still possesses exactly those qualities today. The first owner drove it for only 47.231 kilometers, and the photos immediately show that the car has been well cared for.
What did this Allegro have to offer?
The Austin Allegro was a front-wheel drive vehicle and featured Hydragas suspension, the chassis concept with which British Leyland placed a strong emphasis on comfort. That system gave the car a very distinctive driving feel, smooth and soft, exactly as many enthusiasts remember it. Furthermore, the Allegro was available in a wide range of models: as an 1100 and 1300, as a two- and four-door, as a 1300 Special, as a 1300 Estate, and also in more powerful 1500 and 1750 versions.
Even more positive points?
Carpet on the floor, rear window heating, a dual-zone braking system, power brakes, and a two-speed windscreen wiper: back then, these were simply respectable extras. Features that are taken for granted now were genuinely seen as plus points at the time. And let's be honest: we are talking about a car that is half a century old here.
Beloved classic?
Martinus: “A beloved classic, without a doubt. After its introduction, many people considered it an idiosyncratic car, with its bulbous appearance. As a result, it received a considerable amount of criticism, but nowadays it is viewed very differently. In England, the Allegro now has clear classic status and is sought after by enthusiasts. It has also become rare in the Netherlands, which makes it exclusive. The book *Austin Allegro: An Enthusiast's Guide* tells the story of grand plans, high expectations, management compromises, and failed dreams, compounded by industrial unrest. I am convinced that precisely that combination contributed to accelerating the decline of the British automotive industry. In any case, the negative publicity did the Allegro no good.”
Everyday family car
Martinus: “It is, of course, by no means a bad car—simply comfortable and reasonably spacious, and above all a victim of the circumstances of the time. That is not to say that there were no problems, but a lot has been exaggerated. Despite all the publicity, the Austin Allegro is a reliable, charismatic, and practical classic that we offer for sale at our company. It is a wonderful opportunity to take this special Brit out on the road. It would be a shame if you could only view such a car in a museum. It belongs to history, and wherever possible, we simply must showcase the Austin Allegro and keep telling the story.”
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(More photos can be found below)
Whether it's Austin or MG, they all sell their souls to the devil. Are the Germans following suit?
I had an Allegro station wagon for 8 years. A red one with a 1300cc engine. Lots of space, especially in the back. The wheels were at the corners, so there was plenty of room available. Actually, I didn't have any problems. I did have the suspension pumped up regularly, though. What was a bit of an issue, though, was the oil consumption due to a leak. A liter of oil every week, but it wasn't that expensive at Hema. But well, at a certain point the oil consumption was too high and repairs were too expensive. So I just traded in the Allegro. I would like to have another one. Unfortunately, I like many classic cars, such as a DAF, a Fiat 600, and a Goggomobil.
My father thought, and still thinks, very differently about the reliability of the Allegro: nothing but breakdowns and trouble. That car was the prelude to buying only new cars from 1982 onwards. So those were Ladas, mainly because of the price-quality ratio. Until the Samara came along; that was the end of the love for that stuff.
In the seventies, I grew up on the back seats of English cars. First 3 Minis, then, from '75, 3 Allegro 1100s.
Back then, affordable, spacious family cars.
The first yellow/green one, with the square steering wheel.
The 2nd Sandglow metallic, which was totaled after a year. From 1978 onwards, just like the red one in this article. With approx. 30-35.000 km per year, this one was quite worn out after 3 years and over 100.000 km.
And with the dealer, from whom BL had parted ways in 1980 because he had added another brand to the garage since things were going so “well” with BL, subsequently switched to a red one. Citroën Visa 2-cylinder in '81
Some time ago this Allegro was for sale, could I have the contact details please? Kind regards, Stef Lauwereys
info@auto-balk.nl