Off The Road For 31 Years - Can I Bring It Back To Life And Drive It To Wales?

In this EPIC adventure I attempt to resurrect this 1981 Austin Vanden Plas 1500 and attempt to drive it back to my home town in Wales. A Cross-Country revival!
Music in this video from Binkley - We Don't Have To Settle Down, About To Jump In - Rune Dale (search Tasty Classics Music on Spotify for the playlist of all the music I feature)
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[@robertoeagle7764]

Pleeeease do this old girl justice. She’s been hanging on in the dark for decades waiting for her chance in the sun again. She did her best to meet you half way (all lights & interior electrics etc). It was the mystery bodge wire that caused the agro (not her fault). I think now she’s singing again you owe her at least a full detail - feed those acres of leather, polish the miles of chrome, buff the aged paint. Come on you know it makes sense. Help her live up to Vanden Plas again. That’s how she was born & created. Let this old girl live those glory days again. I for one would love to see it! Great episode by the way watched it all and thoroughly enjoyed. You’re goin places kidda 👍🏻.

[@PaulinesPastimes]

I agree!

[@tastyclassics]

Lovely comment that mate and I really want to but I do need to get started on Mondeo 2. I will seriously consider it though I too would like to see her looking her absolute best and it doesn't need all that much to take her over the line, leave it with me!

[@nostreamavailable9090]

You're hubnut in disguise aren't you, go on admit it, you've been rumbled 😂

[@leer798]

I agree but I want to see the spit done first :(

[@noelwallace5257]

Banger race it!

[@lozz0dnb]

That tax disc expires the day I was born . What a dream find

[@Northstar-Media]

You have to buy it. it was meant to be

[@SquidgyPickle]

Britain had the biggest empire the world has ever known. A powerhouse of ideas, engineering,technology and innovation… … and this is what we came up with 😂😂 I love it

[@rovercoupe7104]

Don’t forget gas turbines and parliament. M

[@rovercoupe7104]

Austin wasn’t a Leyland company. It existed long before BL. M

[@tastyclassics]

Apologies for the length of this video! Lots of stuff happened and I didn't want to skip anything 😅👍 Let me know if you enjoy it! EDIT - part 2 is out this Friday!

[@skyll4141]

it's a looker lol.

[@david1976aful]

Don’t apologise, is was fantastic viewing 👍🏻

[@easyeaz]

Keep the videos as long as possible great viewing, we'll done on getting that going!!

[@matthewc.419]

@Tasty Classics Don't ever apologise............absolute epic content, I appreciate these long vids ❤ proper mint !

[@matthewc.419]

@8.30 , how low is that boot , back breaker ...no wonder us kids r broke Back 😅

[@TimeandRelativeGaming2015]

Fell asleep watching vice grip garage, wake up to the British version, and youre a northerner! Even better!

[@akaDavidWebb]

Thanks

[@akaDavidWebb]

Nearly 3 hours of quality content from a top bloke! Worth every penny and way better than the latest Marvel tosh!

[@tastyclassics]

Super kind mate thank you!

[@rayaspo4893]

The algorithm brought me here and I’m glad it did! Thoroughly enjoyed this 👍. Subscribed.

[@dereklatham6800]

my lifes so shit but you make it feel much better, watching your stuff all day long, i look forward to getting up in the morning now.

[@astravanmk2]

You are a hero Ben! You’ve saved an icon. So vulgar it’s awesome.

[@thomasjobling5050]

Thanks!

[@tastyclassics]

Thank you Thomas!

[@thomasjobling5050]

My pleasure am trying to patrons but can't find how to do it ....its because am old ...

[@waynelittle5583]

Definitely want another episode on this I really wish life had put me in a better position to be able to buy this and treasure it like my grandad treasured his one all those years ago

[@markbehr88]

That tracked vehicle at the end is a Ransomes Crawler. The power of two horses. I have two of them! Loved the episode.

[@blackvanandrobin6413]

My first girl friends dad had one. He gave me a lift home in it after we had all been to a Christmas works dinner and dance party. He must of had ten pints was totally pissed but insisted on driving. I was terrified but the Allegro just bounced off the curbs and took it all in its stride. Happy days. Thanks Ben. Legend video

[@ClaudeSac]

😂👍

[@dannyisaacs3877]

You are a hero Ben! You’ve saved an icon. So vulgar it’s awesome.😃😃😃

[@69Dobby]

Best British channel on here,absolutely love your humor and enthusiasm for these old cars. Keep em` coming mate.

[@ericdunn555]

Like so many others here in the comments (still to read hundreds more yet too), I have an emotional attachment to the all-agro Allegro; my Dad's first ever new car was an Allegro (traded in his Austin 1100 and was able to afford a new one through the Leyland (he worked at LR Lode Lane Solihull) employees discount scheme - couldn't have afforded a new car otherwise) purchased from the Birches Garage BL dealership in Hall Green, B'ham. A Harvest Gold (ie BEIGE) 1300 (reg. JOF 321N) bought in August 1974(-ish; could be wrong in the year). We loved it and every time I see one (rarely these days), always reminds me of my Dad. Your video was incredibly wonderful; edge of my seat stuff at times, jumped up in the air (hands aloft like yourself) when it first kicked into life. But I have to confess, I had tears rolling down my face with joy and also with sadness more than a few times during the video - thank you ever so much for capturing your trials and tribulations on camera, I've watched it all the way through in one hit (it's now 4.20 in the morning) - I was captivated. Please, please, please do the car justice and restore it to as high as standard as your time and finances allow - that would be a video I would love to see .... I'd even help you out by polishing the hub caps so well, you could eat your dinner off them. Go well, good sir.

[@deangoodwin6586]

fantastic video

[@mrpibbsdotcom]

It’s the hanging flower basket that makes this a winner for me. Small details matter.

[@XKSteve]

I was literally shouting "Ben, you have a short on the coil" if it's getting hot it's got a short LOL. Good job getting the old girl going again. Loving you videos your sense of humour is fantastic...

[@G1VNB]

another great video Ben really enjoyed it. i remember when i was 16 my boss had a brand new one i was very jealous that was a very long time ago i am now 66 take care mate

[@TheHorsebox2]

I'm with everyone else here, pal. Give her the works, she deserves it. Really enjoying this one.

[@jamesstuart137]

Would love to see some more of this old girl. And hopefully she finds a caring home.

[@lawrencehomer5682]

Haven't enjoyed a video as much for years....absolutely brilliant. I'm converted

[@heckmacbuff]

What a great video. I like the longness, prefer that to lots of shorter episodes. Epic resurrection on this pig with lipstick, your ingenuity and never-say-die attitude are an inspiration to all lovers of old machinery. Now I'm going to watch all your other vids.

[@rudolphbondefangerer5513]

Those front seats look so comfortable it makes me want to get in there and take a nap.

[@thewasteoid2684]

Another great video, almost bust a gut laughing when the hose went. 😂😂

[@NOWThatsRichy]

As you can see at 8:20 when the tiny boot lid is opened, the biggest downfall of the 'All agro' is not being designed as a hatchback! That rear end was absolutely crying out to be a 5 door design!

[@waynelittle5583]

Seriously this has been emotional to watch brought back the little memories of my grandad that I remember showed my mum and she started to tear up the love my grandad had for his allegro I truly hope I can be in a position to own one some point in my life great video as always thank you for your commitment 👌👌

[@irenebignall7245]

I enjoyed this video and the music,thanks

[@eddtemperley2421]

What a lovely classy gem of a car. OK an Allegro base, but the Vanden Plas factory in north London spent a lot of time reworking the build quality. You making it run again feels to me like a fine tribute to the man who laid it up in that garage all those years ago. Please let's have more about this sweet ole lady. Can you tell I enjoyed it - thanks much.

[@juanmiguelcortarello6823]

Please do the fine job. It is going to look very nice. Love your videos. Keep It Up!! Greetings from Argentina.

[@Naefukabootio]

"I'm not sure that should be as on fire as it is!" Oh how you make me laugh! I love your videos. Currently enjoying this one right now. ❤

[@finallyfinishedclassics]

Great video, best yet, please tidy up

[@waynelittle5583]

Those cars hold a special place in my heart my grandad had an Allegro he sadly passed away at a pretty young age in 1991 when I was 5 he absolutely loved that car and mum took the car on when he passed and was what she ran for many years I would do anything to have one in my life sadly can't afford to can't wait to see what you do with this 😍

[@skylined5534]

Similar memories for me as well mate! My nan had a 1500 estate which was the last company car my grandad had and liked so much he bought it after retiring from being a salesman for Leyland Commercial Vehicles. Many happy memories of my nan whipping it fully loaded along to Ynyslas in Wales to the old 1960s Bluebird static caravan they used to have!

[@chriswarren2599]

The Allegro was a great small car. It has matured with age. So easy to jump on the bandwagon and slag them off. They were pretty rust resistant, excellent access to everything from a mechanics point of view, pleasant to drive, handled ok with a superb ride. The 1500 5 speed was quiet and smooth. The VDP version was a very well put together car as it was hand built with top quality materials. This is a very late version. Well done for resurrecting it. I had two. Wish I still had one at least.

[@simonw9654]

The All-agro turned out to be a real trooper! Great video Ben...best one yet. Would love to see more or the VP before it moves on.

[@richardhaywood4123]

Be good to see the old girl polished up and in her sunday best. British Leyland champagne beige looks good when it's clean.

[@alanpriest4527]

I love you talk the positives not high late the negatives, keep it up

[@AmigaA-or2hj]

I saw one in Glasgow the other day. In chocolate brown and still used daily.

[@PaulinesPastimes]

Well I have to confess that I was forced to skip most of the first hour but thank goodness you got it running and doesn't it sound great. The interior is so luxurious! It's beautiful. I owned the Australian version of this car called a Morris 1500 and it taught me how to fix cars, haha. It was a terrible car but I loved it. I fitted twin carbs and other engine mods and competed in club level motorsport for a couple of years in the mid to late 1990s and had fantastic fun. I also fitted a simple Lucas electronic distributor out of a Mini and it ran perfectly and never let me down. The E series engine is very good and the guy who built and modified the engine for me said it had enough bottom end bearing area for about 200hp, quite bullet proof. Your later model with the rod change gear linkage must be so much better than the cable change of my Morris. I have a real soft spot for these and I wish that Leyland Australia had been provided with enough money by BLMC to release it here but we got the Marina instead, except with the E series engine modified to accept a Triumph gearbox. Love the car and I look forward to seeing what happens to it. 😊👍

[@glennlingard7851]

Grand video Ben, you have an extremely nice base car to get your teeth into, very nice and very well done mate!

[@christosthomasraounas2761]

I admire your bravery 😂😂😂😂...love these old dogs, my dad use to have a burgundy 1100 super with a square steering wheel which I found fascinating as a 10 year old. Always wanted him to upgrade to a Vanden Plas. Nice to see you get this going. L&R

[@neill4133]

Great video Ben, well done! First car I ever drove was my dad's Austin Maxi when I was 12 so the all aggro reminded of that too. Used to see these and Maxis in the scrapyards when I was a kid in the 80s and loved sitting in them soaking up the history. Really comfy old cars, even though the VDP was like putting lipstick on a pig 😂

[@tlg7268]

Loved this, longer the better. Thanks Ben

[@carguyuk7525]

Great video and update, and I wish you well with this project. It was a crap back in the day and still is. It's the equivalent on the Hona Civic, ie a car for old people. It's amazing it's not more rusty than it is. Potential massive money pit.

[@midinotes]

What a fabulous journey, filmed with genuine honesty and full of ups and downs. I thoroughly enjoyed watching and like many, this brought back so many memories as a child. Cars like this have a charm, soul, character and honesty that modern cars simply cannot match. Seriously how many modern cars could you fix on the side of the road like you did! The fact you have managed to document this journey in video and edit it together with beautiful story telling is a testament to your skills. I did wonder if you would have to drive back in the dark, seriously those headlights looked as though they would struggle to illuminate more than a few feet ahead. Looking forward to some serious restoration next on the interior and bodywork, although looks like you won't have much to do given how nice this example is. Thanks for this and for restoring this beauty, I did smile though at just how small these cars were back then!

[@DUCKSAREEVILLLLLLLL]

Manufacturers are using more plastic than ever, now, and it doesn't like extreme temperature fluctuations. Also, electronics oxidize and are expensive to diagnose and fix.

[@robrodgers8974]

Oh man, yes! My mate had one, we were 19, why he bought it I have no idea, I borrowed it to take my driving test, what a car. Loved it!

[@popski3226]

Fantastic video Ben well done mate 👍 I enjoyed every single minute of it, so entertaining!!! Yeah I would like to see it spruced up! And looking shiny ✨ 😁 my stepdad had a brown allegro in the early 80’s, Wales and the farm looked so nice 😊 cheers Ben see you on the next one mate 👍🛻

[@AdamMacleod83]

Loved this feature length epidose of such an interesting classic... Please do more to her, make her better 😍

[@memorialgardens1664]

Thank so very much what a joy to watch 🧠💪💚🤝🙋‍♂️Nathan .🙏

[@clivesutton2917]

Really enjoyed watching this video nice to see the old girl resurrected would be even nicer to see a full restoration on her, your easy way of filming is very watchable keep it up look forward to more content.

[@SD-fb7ev]

Very good watched all of the video.

[@chrisedwards3238]

Awesome video. Loved this resurrection. What a good motor. Don’t worry about the length of the video, I’d rather watch the whole process than just skip to turning the key and all the hard work is skipped out. Thanks for yet another great video.

[@michaelperkins5746]

BRILLIANT

[@rossmclaren71]

Love these movie length episodes Ben !! But I was shouting at the tv saying no belt no water pump 🤣🤣🤣definitely need a clean up episode with a before and after ! Thanks for another great honest video you are the Vanden Plas master now !!

[@andrewmalyon5699]

Please do not apologise for the length of the video,throughly enjoyed it, absolutely superb,who needs tv when there are people like you on you tube,do another video on the vp,all cleaned up,she deserves it, well done Ben,you smashed it again,cannot wait till the next one,how ever long .

[@byronmills5952]

I absolutely love these - my neighbour when i was a young lad bought one brand new as his retirement treat back in 1978. Fond memories of him pulling up to his drive with the familiar trumpeting of its exhaust. This looks to be an extremely late registered example with it being registered on a 1981/2 X plate. What an awesome video - a joy to watch. 👍👍👍

[@Cholseyroyal]

I did a current DVLA check and it shows it was first registered in November 1981. BTW the tax is/was due on 4 April 2024

[@dtkoinew]

Wow you've done an amazing job I found your channel through the scrolling through KZbin and really enjoy your videos, I honestly thought that car didn't want to come back to life

[@tonyjennings4317]

I've never been so happy watching a KZbin video! My Dad had the standard Allegro, I learnt to drive in it, love your content and your enthusiasm.

[@garethbell22]

That was me in the VW that stopped to help out! 😊 Glad it's running better now! And you did actually have a boat tank too! 😂

[@tastyclassics]

Hahaha thank you mate I was embarrassed I didn't know if you knew of the car and if I was filming but I should of said something. Thank you very much for stopping very kind of you 👍👍

[@garethbell22]

@@tastyclassics i saw the Gopros but wasnt aware of u..... just watched a few of ur vids! Great channel! Was cool watching u head down the A55 as i live in Anglesey 👍

[@sandocheese45]

Absolutely awesome Ben. Can't wait to see more. 👏💯%

[@allanbale4133]

Brilliant! You keep saying sorry for the long video but please don't, its good to see the nitty gritty bits, I enjoyed every second thoroughly. Its nice to see a down to earth bloke doing what he loves and doing it well. Your a star and say it how it is (please dont change) keep the wheeler dealer type programs, this is what we want because this is everyday mechanics the way we can relate to. I love how you don't go from rust to polished gem in 30 mins and keep it real throughout. Respect 🙌

[@brianlockyer3760]

What a brilliant episode, Ben your a marvel, always looking for the next episode, stay safe mate?

[@leepearsall4462]

As a brummie I grew up in the time of the mini, allegro, marina, maxi and princess. The Austin cars always took a bashing but much of my family worked for the ’Austin’ at Longbridge. Happy memories and thank you for getting that ‘Allaggro’ back up and running.

[@A.J.Lawson]

Great video had an Agro 1500 TC HL as my first car in Bathroom Blue. Superb little car until i put it in a hedge. This brought back many happy memories. You owe it to the Agro to do a couple more episodes. Thanks for your efforts and for sharing.

[@iguanna41]

You got it up and running where others failed, bravo 👏

[@gogglet72]

Brilliant video Ben!! Yes let's see a video on this being cleaned up. And some left for dead episodes on the old tractors would be great.

[@gordonwebster3809]

i was amechanic at a leyland dealers in middlesbrough the plasti plug ontop of the thermostat houseing is the filler the hydroalastic pipe could be repaired uing olives and pipe.

[@marklivemore]

Brilliant as ever - well done, perseverance pays off!

[@djm9937]

Just discovered this channel. Highly entertaining, thankyou :)

[@BBFCBBFC-fc2ub]

Nice one Ben. I had a Metro VDP, Y reg back in 1992 that was a one owner car - absolutely loved it. Velour seats, wood capping to the doors, brown and cream interior!

[@skylined5534]

I remember a friend found a list of extras you could have for the Metro VDP including Aircon and cruise! Very swish especially for a little car in the early 80s. I bet they never got optioned with such things though 😂 Great little motors.

[@Jablonski277]

Wonderful daily driver in the summertime. Thank you for saving a classic and regards from Denmark.

[@ozakki8719]

As an Old Colwyn native now living in Rhos on Sea, loved seeing the VDP flying along the A55! Well done mate, a joy to watch. Appreciate the effort and output.

[@marlinknable3543]

You did it!

[@drnick1972]

Fantastic video Ben. As far as your videos go, the longer the better in my humble opinion!

[@taylod151]

The most enjoyable KZbin video I’ve ever watched! Fact 😊👍🏻

[@focusstdave123]

Nothing but admiration and applause for the effort and editing that goes into these entertaining and informative videos my hat is off for you Ben 🙏🏼

[@Elvis35-77]

Thoroughly😁😁😁 enjoyed that man! All the best from Glasgow, Marty D

[@petercollyer9783]

Really worried when I saw the length - 3 hours to get it running?! But i didn't realise you were going to drive it across the country! That's totally mental and very brave. Rolling repairs is super skill. Well done 👍

[@stevejones1972]

Back in the early 80s my Grandad had one of these, also an X reg, so it was one of the last ones made. He had a light blue one, and as a kid I used to go for a ride in the back when we visited grandad and he took us out for a ride in it. I remember going on a day trip from Telford, where they lived, to Lake Vyrnwy. Always remembered the walnut picnic tables in the back of the front seats, no car I have ever been in since has had them. Leather seats, very posh inside really, but grandad always liked to take grandma in luxury as best he could, even if it was only an Allegro. he had an Austin Princess Vanden Plas 1300 on a K plate before the Allegro, which was just an upmarket Austin 1100 with all the luxuries. Was nice to see one again, all these years later, and also an X plater, just like Grandad's was. Pity it behaved like a flying pig and was all aggro on the way to Wales, but I'm sure the next owner will be able to sort it out, as the bodywork was very much worth saving with so little welding to do. "I think it might have a slight exhaust blow", lol - might have something to do with the gaping great hole in the middle box I saw when it was up on the lift - could have stuck an exhaust wrap round it to quieten it down, but I guess you like em to sound a bit raucous - all adds to the clapped out effect, haha. I wish the old girl the best of luck - there aint many of these left now, and she deserves to be saved and restored - not Johnny Smith style though, keep it original.

[@michaelclarke3684]

Really enjoyed this one, I had a 1750 sports special in my younger days , unfortunately I rolled it , that was a quick car

[@renhoek]

This is hilarious! 😅 Thanks Ben, you really made my day…

[@matthewwiddows6319]

That was a great video, one of the best. Loved the story and the ending with her set free from the garage and in the countryside watching the sunset. Dont know about the original owner, but he loved it enough to park it somewhere safe, i hope he can see her free again and on the road 30 years later, be he would never imagined all of us watching this. You showed this car respect and would be good to see youbsort the last few mechanical niggles, the do as you said and do a quick mop and a few bits. The sell to someo e that will either fully restore or better still use as a daily classic, not a fan or these old cars polished and hid away, they should be out there used the same as when they were a few years old.

[@christaylor3403]

Thats a yes from me on the tidy up

[@alanmac101]

Thanks for yet another epic video on a very old girl , and most of all thanks for your time and patience in all the video, editing and frustrations.

[@leebingham1721]

Chuffed to bits for you on resurrecting this lovely old VP back to life. I’ve just recommissioned my 75’VP just short of an MOT so I can really relate to your show. Well done Sir

[@richardneale246]

This is the longest You Tube video I have sat down and watched in one session. I've enjoyed every minute of your adventure with the V.P. Aggro. Look forward to your next adventure and thanks for such an entertaining channel, keep up the good work. Take care Ben. 😄👍👍

[@casanova2232]

Great Journey buddy very interesting and well done a job well done 👍✅ Blessings

[@spracing04]

Well done Ben, what an epic video. Loved it. Cant believe you had the courage to get in and drive that car such a distance after being sat for 31 years. Would love to see more content on the Allegro. I do enjoy the longer videos that you put out. Looking forward to the next one now.

[@pc7595]

I really liked this video and the elation when it turned over was shared on watching - I’d love to just sit and watch you work and make the occasional cuppa for you . Thanks

[@paulmcfarlane6034]

Love these, as I used to own one many years ago and it was a joy to drive. They just glide along once the suspension is sorted. It would be great to watch you do more to tidy it up and ensure that it remains on the road.

[@lucythemoggy1970]

YES! another video pleaseeeee!

[@coopers4491]

Loved the content ,watched from beginning to end .. That was the first car i learnt to drive in with a square steering wheel 👍👍👍👍 and passed first time !!!

[@richardhaywood4123]

Used to push start my 1500 allegro for about 2 months until it didn't start one morning on my way to work,had to abandon it at the bottom of the road and run down to my grandads and borrow his mk2 fiesta,he gave me the money for a new starter which i picked up on my way home!lol. They went well the tc 1500!

[@chaos2448]

Great job Brother. I got so emotionally involved in your journey with this little car I actually cried when you made it to Wales. Wow, thank you so much and keep doing what your doing.

[@100SteveB]

Very enjoyable watching you give this old girl a new lease of life. What a little trooper she is. And don't be to hard on her looks, compared to a lot of today's new compact plastic cars, she's not doing too bad in the looks department. Totally amazed how well she did on the journey. Would be great to see some more videos with this car. And from me, who's daily driver is a 1997 Mondeo, it pleases me to see your Mondeo sitting there in the shed!

[@jamesbritton1502]

Top job👍. Really enjoyed this one.

[@jase6709]

Didn't realise how long the video was till I looked at the time. I enjoyed every minute.

[@simonbarnwell7787]

Love it , always had a bit of an unrequited love for these old things .

[@colsparky651]

I owned a Allegro it was a 1.3 in a mustard colour. And i loved it. These days i drive a reliant 3 wheeler but again i love it