Square steering wheel, lads.
Square steering wheel, lads.
Lack of charisma can be fatal.
Visca Catalunya!
Austin Allegro named as ‘Britain’s Worst EVER Car’
Its name may have been a moniker for ‘fast, cheerful and lively’, but the Austin Allegro has been declared ‘Britain’s Worst Car’ in a poll by brand new digital motoring magazine, iMotormag.co.uk.
The online poll, participated by over 4000 people, sought to find the worst ever product of Britain’s once powerful car manufacturing industry. Later this month, London’s Docklands plays host to the latest automobile offerings for the 2008 British International Motor Show.
The Allegro received 24% of the votes on iMotormag.co.uk against nine other widely disliked UK manufactured models, including the Morris Ital, Hillman Imp and the Rover 200.
Despite being labelled the ‘All-aggro’ due to its poor build quality and the ability for its rear window to ‘pop out’, the 1970s British Leyland model played starring roles in TV classics like The Professionals, Doctor Who, The New Avengers, The Sweeney and more recently, Little Britain.
Britain’s Ten Worst Cars – EVER!
1. Austin Allegro 24.3%
Early Allegros sported a ‘quartic’ (square) steering wheel supposedly making steering easier and providing extra room for the driver’s legs. It was quickly dropped
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2. Morris Ital 23.4%
Named after Italdesign, a company responsible for sculpting some of the most iconic cars, like the VW Golf and De Lorean DMC-12. Must have been an off day
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3. Talbot Sunbeam 11.5%
Originally the Chrysler Sunbeam until the cash-strapped company sold its European divisions to Peugeot. Despite Rally success, the re-branded Talbot was a sales flop
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4. Austin Princess 10.7%
Nicknamed the ‘Wedge’, at one stage these cars were confusingly built under three brand names; Austin, Morris and Wolseley. Dr. Legg drove a white one in Eastenders
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5. Hillman Imp 10.6%
Built as a rival to the Austin Mini, price, build quality and reliability let this over-engineered car down. At least it won races
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6. Rover 200 5.8%
Not a lot to say for itself except that it was Hyacinth Bucket's car in BBC’s Keeping up Appearances
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7. Triumph Acclaim 4.4%
Last car to be produced under the Triumph marque. Possibly for the best
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8. Rover 800 3.7%
The keystone of the British government's car fleet throughout its lifetime
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9. Triumph TR7 3%
The TR7 featured in the American TV series CHIPS. The UK launch was delayed at least twice because of high demand for the vehicle in the US
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10. Morris 1800 2.6%
Amazingly, it was voted European Car of the Year for 1965
Fierce rivalry for this prestigious accolade came from the Morris Ital; a gormless car that unbelievably boasts style roots to the original VW Golf and De Lorean DMC-12, the Rover 200; famed as the car used by Hyacinth Bucket’s long-suffering husband in Keeping Up Appearances, and the pug-faced Hillman Imp; built as a rival to the Austin Mini but price, build quality and reliability let this over-engineered car down.
Even with all the negative publicity, the rust-prone Allegro still became an icon of 70s motoring. During its 10 years of production it sold 642,350 units, of which 657 were used by the Police as ‘Panda’ cars, and at its peak was the fifth best selling car in Britain.
Mat Watson, editor of iMotormag.co.uk, said: “In the face of superior alternatives from Europe and the Far East, cars like the Austin Allegro were the final nail in the four-wheel coffin for the once dominant British motor industry - the game had moved on. The Allegro was full of promise and expectations, but ultimately failed to deliver.”
Despite being 25 years since the last Allegro rolled off the now defunct British Leyland production line, the latest DVLA figures report there are still more than 1000 Allegros registered in the UK.
Surprised that the Morris Marina didn't feature in that poll-though the Ital was in essence a facelifted Marina. From what I've heard, the Marina was just as bad as the Allegro.
Power to me is having the ability to make a change in a positive way. Don't dream it, be it.
Thanks for that. My Opa had one of these growing up and it was a brilliant car, never missed a beat. Two tone brown and tan paint was a great combo!
My Dad bought a 1978 Allegro 1300 Super (super my ear!) back in the late 80s. I remember thinking that it was great because of the fold-out arm-rest in the middle of the back seat and the velvet-feel seats.
A few months later and everything had turned sour. It burned oil at a rate that was staggering and the brakes needed replacing more often than could have been normal. It died before he had it a year and I can distinctly remember his relief in finally putting closure on this unfortunate chapter of his motoring life. He bought a 1980 Mk1 Vauxhall Cavalier after this and enjoyed years of motoring with it.
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Austin repair questions
Last edited by harrisshakes14; 06-09-2012 at 03:28 AM.
Look at that tasteful grille! #3
Lack of charisma can be fatal.
Visca Catalunya!
More 70's extravaganza from that misunderstood colossus called British Leyland #4
Lack of charisma can be fatal.
Visca Catalunya!
Austin Allegro #5
Austin Allegro #6
Austin Allegro #7
Austin Allegro #8
Austin Allegro #9
Last edited by Man of Steel; 10-03-2023 at 12:32 PM.
Austin Allegro #10
Austin Allegro #11
Last edited by Man of Steel; 10-04-2023 at 01:30 PM.
Austin Allegro #12
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