Austin Allegro

The Austin Allegro was a British small family car produced from 1973 until 1983.

It was built at the Longbridge plant in Birmingham, West Midlands, England. Production started in early 1973, with the first customers taking delivery in April. It replaced the British Leyland 1100/1300 range which had been sold under Austin, Morris, Riley, Vanden Plas and Wolseley badges since its launch in 1962.

The Allegro came with front-wheel drive and a choice of four petrol engines - 1.1, 1.3, 1.5 and 1.75. The two smaller engined models had a four-speed gearbox, while the 1.5 and 1.75 had five-speed gearboxes.

A facelift in late 1979 saw the 1.1 replaced with a 1.0, and since 1976 a three-door estate had been available alongside the two- and four-door saloons.

Production finished at the end of 1982 on the launch of its successor, the Maestro.

The Allegro received much criticism during its production life for doubtful build quality, indifferent reliability and proneness to rust. Despite this, it was one of the best selling cars of its era, although it is now a rare site.