Mike & Elvis Restore An Austin Allegro AKA The Most "Unloved" Car Ever | Wheeler Dealers

Elvis is tasked with restoring one of the most unloved cars, but will he be able to restore this forgotten car and impress car enthusiasts?
From Season 18 Episode 3.
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[@Car_and_classic_lover]

I've always loved the Allegro despite what people say about them. Its great to see Mike Alvis working their magic on one! 👍

[@Maloy7800]

First step is to admit the problem. 😀

[@Yorkshiremadmick]

I’ve always loved em to, especially the Vanden Plas

[@ajb08]

Should have replaced the Hydragas suspension, the spheres only had a 15 year life. Just had mine replaced and the difference in the drive, handling and comfort is utterly amazing. But fantastic you chose the VDP 1500 and brought it back to life, another one to add to the 68 of them registered in the UK.....by the way the car is a Vanden Plas 1500 not an Allegro !!

[@Martindyna]

Love it apart from the over size grille that further degrades the aerodynamics and doesn't look right imo. Why not a discreet grille like the Wolseley Six wedge got?

[@stevedickson5853]

You see that grill a mile away, gives it character ​@@Martindyna

[@McVaio]

He did refill it in the full episode.

[@johnj3577]

My Mum had one of these many years ago in the same colour combo although hers was a manual (5 speed!). It was a great car. It didn't rust (it was ziebarted at the VP factory), was totally reliable and it had over 100,000 miles on it when she sold it. It was a 1974 car and was last taxed in 1995, at least 5 years after she'd sold it. Not bad for an 'unreliable / rustbucket' Allegro. And an observation, pulling the choke out might have helped this one start that first time....

[@nigelwest3430]

My father was the engineer in charge of the development of this car at Vanden Plas, he bought the press car (VDP74N) home before it was officially launched and we went for a drive in it when it was the only one on the road

[@crazyman1650]

I love how they made an allegro of all things look like a silver shadow

[@liverush24]

My teacher, Mr Whitley, had one. He also had a Marina! Quite the collection.

[@petemaxwell1136]

The Allegro really was never as bad as it has been made out to be. By the time the series 3 came out virtually all the faults had been ironed out. Yes there were things that were not as good as they should have been but the same could be said for almost every other motor of the time. They were within the top 5 best sellers for their entire manufactured years. Most people who know the truth about them like them while most who criticize them are only jumping on Clarkson's band wagon and like him actually know nothing about them.

[@djdrwatson]

The All-Aggro. 1:58 2:15 I thought he was going to jump out and give that car a damn good thrashing! 😂😂

[@philipmccarthy6175]

Wrong car, but I get joke.

[@paulsutton5896]

I thought they were lovely. Particularly the VdP versions. I blame smart-arse television motoring pundits for their fate.

[@ronvalente65]

We had a 79 1750 Maxi, had great times with that car, it was huge inside great for a family of 5 and a dog.

[@RobinTheMini]

Ahh the underrated Allegro!

[@nigelparish2631]

Great to see wheeler dealers do a cheapy car

[@cupidstunt22]

Mike's had a lot on his plate recently

[@murraywagnon1841]

The rear section looks like it was designed by the same team that did the Jensen Interceptor.

[@murraywagnon1841]

And then they added the snout of a pig.🙂

[@davidsanders8887]

It is apparently correctly pronounced as Plas(s) as in grass! Where else in the world, did a volume mass market car producer, build and sell a bespoke luxury version of one of its smaller models, with a handcrafted leather and walnut interior? I certainly cannot think of one other example.

[@localreviewking134]

The practice of taking a standard car, removing parts, and then refitting it in another factory to create a more luxurious version is quite rare. The Austin Allegro Vanden Plas is a notable example of this approach. However, there are a few other instances where car manufacturers have done something similar: Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow: While not a mass-market car, Rolls-Royce would often take the basic Silver Shadow and send it to coachbuilders like Mulliner Park Ward for bespoke modifications, including luxurious interiors and custom bodywork. Jaguar XJ: In the 1970s, Jaguar offered the Daimler Double-Six, which was a more luxurious version of the XJ. The cars were sent to the Daimler factory where they received higher-end finishes, including leather and wood interiors. Volkswagen Beetle: The Beetle had several luxury versions, such as the Karmann Ghia, which was produced by the German coachbuilder Karmann. The Karmann Ghia featured a more stylish body and upgraded interior compared to the standard Beetle

[@artlayton1425]

The transition to youtube isn't good; too much is cut out of the original video and sometimes it makes no sense.

[@franswijnands4022]

you can see that it only works with modern cars, there is a chock on the steering column

[@MohdjesriOthman-oi1id]

Nice work mate you repaired this Austin allegro and sell it for profit

[@evilish888]

...my ball joint has had some play in it too

[@ianwarriner8193]

Well thanks for that 12 minutes 😮

[@thewholls7176]

Theres a Fair bit of red overspray in that car I say it’s been blasted in the front and sometime…..

[@kasamago]

Nice car

[@stevedickson5853]

..how much did it go for?

[@manofweed1]

£45k I believe.

[@gc7820]

It’s plas with the ‘s’ pronounced as it’s Dutch like Moet where you should also pronounce the ‘t’

[@lzlz-xv6oe]

Elvis could've painted it and saved alot of money.

[@tranluong7488]

Đúng rồi trụ sở vụ trụ châu khi tách ở mexico giáp mỹ vị trí đã bàn lâu rồi là phù hợp các vấn đề chung!

[@stevedickson5853]

..what has that got to do with this car..

[@ianlee487]

Mike brewer need to go to spec savers it he thinks this is beautiful

[@gerry5134]

You paid 1500 quid for that !!!?? 😳

[@stevedickson5853]

Worth 3x as much now

[@davidsnyder2000]

What kind of hair cut or hair style is it that Mike wears? It’s definitely one if a kind😑

[@williamwales6619]

Well Mike. ye can call it what ye want. I owned one for about a year back in the day. They earned their reputation as a pile of Junk. The one i owned had 60ish k on the clock and was about 8 years old by the time i got it. The engine was decent but most other things were in need of some kind of repair. Ball joints were a nightmare , rear wheel bearings lasted no time at all. I eventually gave up on it and punted it. Oh and did i mention water ingress!!!

[@stevedickson5853]

Like most cars from the era

[@johnhopkins898]

had a 1500 auto. it was lethal in cold weather - just wud not go. i dare not turn right onto a main road in it wen cold.

[@stevedickson5853]

..choke problems

[@petrovichbauer5105]

What ever happened to “My dream car”?

[@pedrodaniellopesferreira2916]

Scrap metal...

[@anderspedersen7488]

I would rather have a nasty fall on my bicycle.

[@DzenanA-m6h]

👎👎👎for preserving this monstrosity!!!

[@manofweed1]

They're only 'unloved' now, or at least before the all old crap is classic now, ethos, but at the time they were just cheap basic family cars, not unloved at all, until the windscreen fell out !

[@murraywagnon1841]

The rear section looks like it was designed by the same team who did the Jensen Interceptor.

[@murraywagnon1841]

And then they added the snout of a pig.🙂

[@chucky2316]

Lol😂