Mini Metro v's Austin Allegro?

[Barry Sanchez]

The new kid on the block or the old reliable sports motor, what is your money on coming out on top? I have not been this excited since Bernie Winters was touring.

[saintmatt]

Lynn, I'm not driving a Mini Metro.

[scotty]

My ex had an allegro 1100 which I rather enjoyed driving, for some odd reason (everyone else seemed to hate them at the time.) A few years later, (post-girlfriend I hasten to add,) my mrs wrecked her renault 5 and the bodyshop loaned her an mg metro, which I detested.

 

So, its a big to the allegro for me in this crucial poll. May I say I'm on the edge of my seat awaiting the final result.

[scotty]

^ ...which I suspect will be one-nil.

[badgerx16]

 

or

 

 

Remember, only one of these has a ROUND steering wheel.

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

The Mini Metro I remember was once the 'great white hope' of the UK motor industry and it initially sold quite well on a wave of 'I'm backing Britain' style patriotic fervour. It might even had succeeded in the longer term had those responsible for making the bloody thing cared a jot about it.

 

As for the infamous 'All Argro' after many years of trusty service from his classic Mk1 Ford Escort my old dad - for his sins - found himself owning a second hand Austin Allegro 1100 of ill repute. So I can confirm from personal experience these cars were quite as awful in reality as their reputation suggests they were. The story goes that for the launch of this car BL made a publicity film of new Allegro's being driven enthusiastically over some rough ground and even daring to performing a few 'Dukes of Hazard' style jumps with them ... the film did not show the wheels falling off the cars when they subsequently landed.

 

Even if that story is apocryphal the 'wheels coming off' would still be a pretty apt metaphor for the fate of the British car industry during the 1970's and 80's.

[JackFrost]

Was it the Allegro that was more aerodynamic going backwards than it was going forwards?

[swannymere]

Allegro door handles were used in various Aston Martin models so a big thumbs up for the Allegro for me.

[scotty]

Was it the Allegro that was more aerodynamic going backwards than it was going forwards?

 

No, that was an urban myth. It was actually more aerodynamic going sideways.

[Spudders]

Lynn, I'm not driving a Mini Metro.

 

They've rebadged it you fool

[ecuk268]

The Allegro was one of the worst cars of the 80's.

 

Came out at about the same time as the Golf and had loads of faults, not least being distortion of the bodyshell if it was suspended towed.

[Whitey Grandad]

Years ago I met a car salesman who used to sell Allegros. Every time that one left the sales room they used to say "There goes trouble". Weren't they standing around on airfields for a couple of years because more were produced than sold, or was that the Maxi?

[buctootim]

[Saint in Paradise]

Years ago I met a car salesman who used to sell Allegros. Every time that one left the sales room they used to say "There goes trouble". Weren't they standing around on airfields for a couple of years because more were produced than sold, or was that the Maxi?

 

I think that was also the case with Vauxhalls many years ago hence the rapid onset of the rust worm?

[colehillsaint]

Years ago I met a car salesman who used to sell Allegros. Every time that one left the sales room they used to say "There goes trouble". Weren't they standing around on airfields for a couple of years because more were produced than sold, or was that the Maxi?

 

I heard that the traffic police referred to the motorway hard shoulder as Montego Bay in the eighties.

 

Never drove an Allegro as they were in decline when I passed my test in 81, but my granny lent me her Marina a few times. The steering and suspension made it genuinely feel like a boat to drive. Mechanics liked them though, as they were simple, cheap and easy to work on.

Edited 14 April, 2014 by colehillsaint