I bought a Vanden Plas 1500 (a very posh Austin Allegro) on Wheeler Dealers, full video coming soon.

[@davidmulcahy4864]

I had a VP 1300 Auto when I when was in the 6th form in 1979. It was stolen on my first day of uni. Reverse didnt work most of the time.

[@chrisst8922]

Mike gathered together all the unloved cars in the hope that the Allegro wouldn't be derided. Did you notice that there wasn't a Marina, I guess he had to draw the line somewhere.

[@markmiwurdz202]

@Paul's Yard UK. I watched the programme where Mike and Elvis did their makeover on this car. It was a good example to start with thanks to the previous owner's work. So they had a bit of a "leg up" into getting it right! However, so glad you got a good deal on the Vanden Plas to add to your colllection. Another commenter pointed out the ride height being a bit high, and you said you would overhaul the suspension system. Begs the question - is it "Hydrogas" or "Hydrolastic"? My wife's late father had a VP back in the day, based on the Austin 1100 and he loved it - complete with the unusual suspension. And years ago a family friend had a Morris 1800 "Land Crab" which had the "Hydrolastic" system. Does the VP have the wrong size tyres and Elvis got his measurements wrong? Or are the bladders/bags shot and need replacing? You and yours stay safe and well.

[@paulsyarduk2045]

Thanks for your positive comment, its hydragas on the Allegro side hydralastic on the ADO16 - 110 and 1300. I had a brief test drive and could tell the nitrogen had long gone. Ian and Dawn have worked on 2 metros that I had and it transformed the ride. All the best.

[@markmiwurdz202]

@Paul's Yard UK. Many thanks for your reply with the right information sir! Subscribed, so looking forward to seeing more of your work and your collection. Cheers!

[@AllThingsAlex]

Lovely example!

[@paulsyarduk2045]

See you at a show soon...don't bring that Cockerel 🤣

[@musoseven8218]

Nice car, round steering wheel too! It's Bourton-on-the-Water btw dear chap✌️💜😉😄 The Allegro was such a missed opportunity for BMC/BL. I remember when I had my immaculate tuned AH MK1 Sprite, my disabilities were starting to kick in and I was a CSMA, MASC, MGOC, AHC member and still the job's worth at the museum wouldn't let me park there! But hey if you're Mike Brewer!🙄 Double standards, sums this country up, priorities all wrong🙄💔🤡🌏

[@Captain_Scarlet_SIG]

I had an Allegro1750 Sport for a short while until either the engine or gearbox (they shared the same oil) disintegrated and destroyed each other I went back to Fords and got a Mk3 2 litre GT Cortina with the tombstone seats it was in another league, I never bought a Leyland car again. Good luck with this one I hope you have better luck than I did and Ford & Vauxhall built some crap too that turned to a pile of rust in front of your eyes.

[@barryrathbone]

I had a VDP 1500 auto in hearing aid beige unfortunately the auto box decided to only have 1 gear! I was looking at the programme and to me (I’m probably wrong!) she looks too high? Enjoy the car though she is so beautiful

[@paulsyarduk2045]

I'm getting the hydragas units changed later this year, I agree it's a little high atm. It's undergoing a full gearbox overhaul atm...nearly there.

[@JJay-p1x]

What a bargain. You did well Sir . Where was it advertised for sale? BL cars, Rover you continually hear the same old rubbish about how bad they were. Fair enough everyone has a right to their own opinion and it would be a sad world if we all liked the same thing. All that really matters is that you like it . You don't need to be a sheep. BL take a lot of stick, its as though all the manufacturers other cars were so perfect. They were not and neither were BL cars and were not blind to them but we still love them. When they were new they were posh, they may have not been the prettiest but they were different. I like it anyway and would be more than happy to own a nice one. The first i think came out at N reg and went all the way through to 1980/81? There was also a choice of 1750 cc later. A lot have people are keen to knock a car they have never owned or driven. I hope you enjoy it as i am sure you will. Are you taking it to the Pride of Longbridge rally on the15 th April .

[@paulsyarduk2045]

Thanks for your positive comments, it was on ebay back in November 22 with a gearbox issue. Its almost ready to go after being at a specialist gearbox company. I hope to be at P.O.L. variety is the spice of life 🤣👍🇬🇧

[@djt1953]

This car failed an MOT in November 2022 on a host of safety related items. Despite being MOT exempt, any vehicle that fails should be re-tested and gain a pass before being used on the highway.

[@paulsyarduk2045]

I totally agree and it's not been driven since then. All work has now been completed and will have an updated mot next week. There will be a big video update soon when the VP is finally in my yard.

[@djt1953]

@@paulsyarduk2045 Good to know, thanks. Looking forward to the full video.

[@davehorton7712]

I was an apprentice mechanic working at a BL dealership, when I saw them I wanted to work at a Ford dealership, horrible cars, almost a bad as the Ital

[@Betty_Feltersnatch]

Your opinion. I have one and it's great, it was used as a daily driver for years without a hitch. Smooth, comfy, economical (mines a manual) cruises at 65mph easily, but because it's an Allegro it's hated. That's a win win for me, keeps the prices down on a lovely little car.

[@williamwoods8022]

dave horton - Why would you have wanted to work in a Ford dealership when the Allegro was a far superior car to the agricultural leaf sprung designed by a brick maker Mk2 Escort and far more reliable as well. We had two Allegros in the family at the same time - my brother then mothers 1978 Allegro 1500 LE and my 1980 Allegro 1750 TC Equipe and both of them were excellent reliable cars - then again we serviced and looked after our own cars and did not rely on cowboy mechanics and we always used original parts and not cheap parts unlike most independent garages and then when the cheap parts failed they would blame the car/manufacturer. Before that I owned a 1978 Marina Mk2 1800 HL/TC and it was an excellent and reliable car as well and very fast for the day.

[@davehorton7712]

@@williamwoods8022 I worked on all that crap for 5 years, so many warranty jobs, so many failures, only car worth considering was the Maxi, real workhorse.

[@davehorton7712]

@@Betty_Feltersnatch Hiya, takes all sorts, the square steering wheel was crap, the underside still is crap, hope your lasts for ages, I would not touch one with a bargepole

[@davehorton7712]

Now I did own a Maxi 1500, great car

[@MrACOUSTICPETE]

One of the first cars with a 100% crumple zone ! Death trap .

[@jamesmiller6977]

I wouldn't buy a used car off Mike Brewer, but hey ho!

[@joeshmoedoeshoe]

Wooden dash won't save total shitbox. Is it rare? YES, because noone wants it.

[@Ubique2927]

Stop speaking for everyone when making a personal opinion.