Project AllegRo - EP8: The K20 Allegro Is On Its Wheels For The First Time!

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The Allegro is finally on its wheels. What a relief! With most of the rear suspension finished(ish), it's allowed us to bolt the wheels on and get the car off the jig. We can now check lots of vital things, sump & wheel clearance etc, we can also get in to finish off welds and do some cleaning up.
As always, thanks for watching and don't forget to tell me what i did wrong in the comments! :D

[@moonface978]

I love that you aren’t radically changing the outside appearance of the body shell

[@FabCoUK]

That was the goal!

[@robertcook2572]

Yes, I just can't see the point when they make them look like a hot rod

[@Scoots1994]

I wonder it the color is going to stay.

[@johnnunn8688]

You know what a ‘sleeper’ is, right? 😂😂

[@johnnunn8688]

Self-sealing bag tank?

[@jesusjohnny8286]

Never wanted an allegro or princess before but suddenly they look wild. Really enjoying these builds.

[@FabCoUK]

Thanks!

[@E9JMX]

Know of a 5dr one the exact same colour. Lowered on SAAB 99 Minilites 🔥😅

[@Ecosse57]

@@FabCoUK excellent work! 400 hp via the front wheels ought to be entertaining. lovely dog btw.

[@raychambers3646]

Seen one at a garage in axminster devon ,same colour !

[@douglasgreen437]

​@@raychambers3646Harvest Gold..

[@KarlAdamsAudio]

Very impressive filmmaking as well as the engineering and fabrication. Presenting to camera is not an easy skill, and Adam does an excellent job, sharing insights into the thinking behind every decision - a delight to watch.

[@FabCoUK]

Thanks!

[@UncleTriangle]

It's cool to see two radically different approaches to a Honda powered Allegro build (yours and Retro Power's). Both are equally impressive in their own rights.

[@himwiththehair]

First thought when you wheeled it out was "oh my god that looks cool". Top work as always and thanks for taking the time to update us all

[@skylined5534]

Same. And the colour (harvest gold?) Makes it for me!

[@IrenESorius]

I looooove sleeper builds like this,, 🥰 Cheers and thanks from Sweden, for the time and work it takes to share it all. 🍻😎👍‍‍👍‍‍

[@FabCoUK]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@Rjhs001]

"A low Alegro with the wrong size wheels on". That made me laugh and I'm sure Jonny would heartily disagree. Once again, your engineering skills are leaving me totally impressed. I just love the way you work, always planning several steps ahead, always checking, re-checking and then checking again...just wonderful.

[@FabCoUK]

But from the outside that’s exactly what it is, and what was wanted😃

[@mc4130]

I am absolutely in awe of what you are doing here - solving problems all the way. I’m here because of the Jonny link, I’m not a fabricator, or an engineer, but I’m sold! Really hope your still enjoying it, and cannot wait to see the next stages (and the Princess!). Well done, man!

[@FabCoUK]

Thanks!

[@bobbyedal2737]

Amazing what you've achieved so far. The technical engineering you've put into the structural side of the build is jaw dropping. And most of which will go unseen once all is done. Looking forward to more of the same. Thanks.

[@FabCoUK]

Thanks!

[@tallblokesam]

It's great to see this car coming together, at times it felt like it was likely to be abandoned with V6 fitment trouble, work commitments etc.. I'm sure Jonny is over the moon with the progress and quality of your work. Thanks for the excellent report 👍

[@FabCoUK]

Thanks!

[@chickentonight22]

Easily one of my favorite channels now, subscribed!

[@frazermcintosh2211]

Loved the oldskool British instructional video beginning 😂

[@johnnunn8688]

Call me a weirdo but I always liked the look of the Allaggro. Had one, early 80s, 1750L I think. Gave me no trouble except one sussy line burst but was driveable home and cheap and easy to fix. Had it 3 years.

[@FabCoUK]

Never been a car I’ve liked the look of unfortunately 😅

[@johnnunn8688]

@@FabCoUK such a shame that we don’t all have the same opinion. However, you can’t help being wrong. 😂🤣

[@tonydotnottingham]

Really loving this build series, both in presentation but also in the progress - thanks for sharing!

[@FabCoUK]

Thanks!

[@SteveMorton]

Great progress, thanks as always for sharing all the details and the reasoning behind the way it is being built.

[@FabCoUK]

Thanks for watching!

[@knobon]

Knowing the brief is for it to be a sleeper, my first impression of seeing it on its wheels outside is that it is obvious at first glance it's been modified by being lower. But still an awesome build, glad to see its becoming a realisation after all these years.

[@FabCoUK]

The car was originally setup to be higher, but Jonny decided he wanted it lower once he saw the wheel in the arch 😊

[@davidyates748]

Nice work Adam, the old Agro is looking great!

[@FabCoUK]

Thanks!

[@LewisCollard]

I was already partial to an Allegro (don't judge) but even with my weird biases aside, that actually looks cool. Fantastic work and so sleeperific :D

[@FabCoUK]

That was the plan!

[@johnnunn8688]

Me too. Had an old banger for 3 years in early 80s, was comfy and gave me no trouble.

[@LewisCollard]

@@johnnunn8688 jealous that you owned one! I just think they look nice (but I was 30 until I realised most people didn't eat kiwi fruits with the skin on - I understand I am not a normal person). Interesting how it'd be a "banger" at that point - early 80s would have made the oldest of them about 10 years old. Cars just aged differently back then I think.

[@johnnunn8688]

@@LewisCollard, think I paid £400, deffo a banger. Modern cars are often soulless lumps but they do last far longer.

[@williamwoods8022]

I used to own a 1980 Allegro 1750 TC Equipe which was an excellent reliable and quick car for its day - I would still have owned that car today if it wasn't written off in an accident caused by an idiot driver - it went for scrap in excellent condition apart from the accident damage as I looked after it. We also had a 1978 Allegro 1500 LE in the family at the same time which was also a very reliable and excellent car as well - both of these models of Allegro are very rare now. I always came back to my Equipe anywhere it was parked with people looking at it and in it and asking me about that car - you never got that with any other "normal" cars such as the Allegro.

[@Ex-Pear-Rocker]

Awesome work mate, can't wait to see the finished article. Much respect 👍

[@FabCoUK]

Much appreciated

[@Ex-Pear-Rocker]

@@FabCoUK I am a competent mechanic myself, but fabrication is not my forte! I seriously envy and admire your work, keep it up bro.

[@andyday1981]

Loving this build. And just goes to show you how any car that’s lowered with bigger wheels can look cool. And I personally think that looks proper mint.

[@FabCoUK]

😁

[@simonredfern9501]

So much more interesting and real world than throwing money at a project.. And it still looks like an Allegro too... Awesome

[@localreviewking134]

I went to College with a guy who at 17 owned a Vanden Plas 1500, in the weirdest brown (well some was rust). He paid 100 quid for it and has 2 years. Proper cool, even had a radio!

[@robertpatrick3350]

Good to see the Princess making a guest appearance in the background

[@FabCoUK]

Now and for years to come most likely 🤣

[@Jagermonsta]

Good on him for spreading the idea of 'buy local'. I live in Australia and we've watched much of our manufacturing disappear to overseas, only to realise it's worked out to our disadvantage also gimme more allegro pls? :)

[@rickfazzini22]

Till this video series of the Allegro build I had never seen one, that’s a super cool little car and your doing a fantastic job making it handle as good as it looks👍🏻

[@Mandk1108]

This has been a pleasure to watch from first episode. You sir know your shit and it’s nice to see ppl can still do this sort of builds and do it correctly.

[@paulmackay6376]

Great update, thanks. Love seeing the progress you're making on this build.

[@FabCoUK]

Thanks 👍

[@ralphmillais5237]

Light, Strong, Cheap. Pick any two, you cannot have all three.

[@smiley4288]

Wow….great presentation on your thought process and work ethic with a hint of humour 👍😎👍

[@tigran86]

Craaaig Davis is now an iconic thing to utter. Keep up the great work, can’t wait to see this slice of beige making some epic choo-choo noises.

[@FabCoUK]

On it!

[@alexmacdonald4270]

I have waited in anticipation for this video, and I wasn’t disappointed, you are truly a genius, it looks so cool already and you wouldn’t know what is under the bonnet. Can’t wait for the next video.

[@FabCoUK]

Thank you so much!

[@mlowbridge2988]

Keep up the excellent work,can’t wait for the next episode

[@FabCoUK]

Thanks! Will do!

[@michaelhodgson3833]

Great stuff as usual, doggy's body language says it all, waiting for more "Princess "

[@dunkg73]

Love what you’re doing and how you’re doing it. Wish I had a fraction of your capabilities, ingenuity and knowledge. I don’t just see a lowered Agro in the wrong size wheels though. It’s already looking really cool. @CarPervert had a wonderful vision for this and as a team you’re making magic.

[@olewurtz7625]

Enjoying the build and appreciate the comments about the origin of the oil cooler 👍

[@FabCoUK]

No problem 👍

[@iankstanley]

I always loved the shape of the allagro when I was a kid. Love what you are doing with it.

[@paulb4uk]

Superb work so far its coming on nicely .

[@FabCoUK]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@Nick-Emery]

When I was younger I always wanted an allegro with a rover turbo engine in, maybe it’s not possible but it was my dream

[@SimpsonsClassics]

Excellent update! Love this car/build!

[@FabCoUK]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@reddcocker64]

Great work. It does look cool. Very understated and that's what makes it cool.

[@FabCoUK]

Thanks a bunch!

[@simonm2092]

Awesome progress. Thanks for another update video, great viewing 👍👍👍

[@FabCoUK]

Thanks 👍

[@Android-vk8yh]

Still one of the most interesting builds on KZbin. Can't wait to see more especially as it's the same as my late aunties allegro and has same k20 civic type R engine as my civic 👏 I just want him to go to a car show and burn a GTI off the lights 🤣

[@memsybabe]

I'd love to see someone extend the body shell on one of these to make it look more like the original concept sketches. Something more like an Alfa Sprint. But that's a huge undertaking... (not that what you're doing isnt 😁) Loving your work so far.

[@oldieman730]

Looking good, great stance. Well done

[@ninja12lawbreaker]

I seriously cannot wait to see this Allegro drive

[@nickmassey9104]

Some old bloke has badly parked his allegro outside your unit came to mind initially . Great progress

[@FabCoUK]

🤪

[@MrBusaPhil]

Well I was one of the first to say that Escort Rack ain’t gonna. But the LHD version as someone else mentioned would. Looking good and gonna be so sweet.

[@FabCoUK]

Thanks!

[@paulw103]

I really hope Jonny shares the final bill for this build! I’m fascinated to know what it’s going to come in at……We won’t tell his wife, honest 😊 Great video as usual, love this series 👍

[@FabCoUK]

Thanks, but I doubt that’ll happen!

[@SteffenHansen1973]

This is as cool a K2x swap as Mike's Ferrari 308! Thank you for sharing \o/

[@CourtNewsUK]

It looks absolutely superb. What a tremendous job!

[@user-yg2vw8cc8c]

Looking forward to next video which is soon I hope!! Loving this build

[@elgorka5103]

It's a pleasure to watch you working, honestly! Bravo! *not to mention films nicely mounted as well. ;)

[@FabCoUK]

Thank you very much!

[@EdgyNumber1]

Its interesting the different approaches that you guys and Retropower have taken. They went with the Integra chassis, you went with a bespoke 'from scratch' design. Both impressive mods in their own right.

[@FabCoUK]

They’re doing an amazing job 😃

[@ralphmillais5237]

I am equally impressed by both, but the Retropower build budget will be huge, and totally beyond the means of most. I am very impressed by how this build is going on what has to be a much smaller budget. Very clever stuff!

[@EdgyNumber1]

@@FabCoUK I seem to recall there was a guy that did a Vauxhall PA Cresta coupe, using a 4 door Cresta body and welding it to the Jaguar XK8 underpinnings. He got a lot of hate for that. I thought the hate was crazy. Personally I find the work yourselves, RP and Electric Classic Cars do is nothing short of amazing.

[@Android-vk8yh]

Very cool that it's a stealth sleeper. Completely different underneath but from the outside it will look all most standard

[@bernardwarr4187]

Great stuff, nice build. Setrab nice equipment. Great presentation too

[@stephenedwardsnewell1715]

Gwan Johnny you are definitely ah mad professor 💎🤛🏿💯, please put some ICE in 💯

[@stephenedwardsnewell1715]

The Guys are called Studio incar the owner Carl is a mad scientist like you truss 🤛🏿

[@aidencoder]

I love these videos, the depth is really engaging. They're also oddly relaxing to watch. Thank you! Also sort of wish the build had gone a weird step further and mounted the K20 the other way and gone RWD somehow. I wanna see the AllegRo popping some wheelies.

[@E9JMX]

The mounting for the Escort steering rack will be grand. If you're unsure, replace the abs plastic with nylon. Great update.

[@FabCoUK]

Thanks!

[@southney7211]

Or even aluminium machined blocks.

[@E9JMX]

​@@southney7211the aluminium will wear the casting of the rack over time, and become loose. The nylon will wear over time and not damage the rack. Nylon blocks are used for mounting hydraulic pipes on the Eurofighter Typhoon. So they are ample enough for an Escort steering rack on this build.

[@southney7211]

@@E9JMX If you look at a pre ‘94 Polo steering rack; it’s a cast aluminium rack mounted hard to the bulkhead using pressed steel brackets. Never seen an issue with the mountings failing in any way.

[@E9JMX]

@@southney7211 hell of a difference in torque steer between a shitebox Polo and a 400bhp Allegro 🤣

[@Andy-sh9eq]

The allegro bodyshell is not weak, in a test of beam stiffness by pressed steel fabrications, it shows the Allegro had a figure of 5.5MN/m . Which is lower than the ADO 73 mk2 Marina at 9.7MN/m . However it was higher than the mk1 vw golf stiffness at 5.2MN/m . Also more than the mk1 ford fiesta at 4.7MN/m . And the mk1 renault 5 measured at 3.7MN/m. So the allegro bodyshell is actually one of the best not weak by any means

[@mattclayton9165]

Absolutely love this build. Looks great at this height. When I win the lottery I’m going to bring you a bag of cash and an Austin Maxi for you to work similar magic. Proper.

[@FabCoUK]

Sounds great!

[@rickburnout666]

They got made better when they were fitted with a rover 3.5 litre engine and rear wheel drive like my friends one had in the 80's, it really became a real Sport when racing around Lydden Circuit and was just a little bit faster than the old 1750 engine was 😅 It decimated Capris at the traffic lights

[@GeorgeEI7KO]

Looks great. Can't wait to see it progress along.

[@FabCoUK]

Me neither

[@themekfrommars]

That's looking proper Bo, I tell thee!

[@chrisgarside7974]

Great project with impressive approach to the engineering - many thanks for sharing and I’m hooked on this one !

[@neill4133]

Awesome fab work, and great presenting on the videos. Really informative 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@FabCoUK]

Thanks so much!

[@MagicAyrtonforever]

I hope Johnny paints it orange, that BL colour really suits the car.

[@FabCoUK]

It’s staying as is!

[@RTC057]

Brilliant......it pays the bills 😀. Another great episode. Thanks for taking the time to share.

[@FabCoUK]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Andrew-vx2ls]

Nice work. The oil cooler needs less cooling than the water radiator. By placing it on the inside it would also simplify the "plumbing".

[@FabCoUK]

It goes where it fits 😃

[@chrisgarside7974]

Properly cool build and outstanding fab skills. Particularly value your thought process explanation and can’t wait to see the finished product.

[@FabCoUK]

Much appreciated!

[@nicklewis2734]

Awesome stuff. When all this is over and Jonny gets this car. It would be great if you built another one to your specifications… 👍🏾

[@mariemccann5895]

Awesome work, I look forward to the next installment!

[@stevie007]

Total admiration 👌

[@FabCoUK]

Thanks!

[@VampyrMygg]

It's interesting to see different approaches to this, as Retro Power is building two Allegros as well, but going the route of putting the Allegro body shells on Integra chassies, kinda interesting that they also went the Honda route.

[@FabCoUK]

Their body swap is really a much better way of doing it in terms of end result, but we’re dealing with totally different budgets & skill sets 🙂

[@nelg1973]

@@FabCoUK but not a sleeper, show yourself some respect for your Fab skills !

[@VampyrMygg]

@@FabCoUK Yeah, they got customers lining up to throw money at them, and they do deliver quality... but I dunno, there's still a charm in more down to earth builds for the mere mortals of the planet, it's a bit more of a realistic and achievable build to people, and probably going to be just as much fun! I look forward to how your build turns out.

[@adrianday8678]

I think the people who use retropower have loads of dosh . I think retropower do a excellent work . But prefer this build I love the thought process

[@nelg1973]

@@adrianday8678 100%

[@chadderton]

15:54 was the icing on a great video. 🤣

[@haydendemenezes2460]

Finally an update! Been a while and forgot about the project.

[@FabCoUK]

How could you forget?!

[@Scoots1994]

Getting all pro now with the "Oh! Hi there!" opening :)

[@FabCoUK]

😎

[@TimInertiatic]

That looks fantastic. Good work 👍🏻

[@FabCoUK]

Thanks 👍

[@gf845]

I daily a K20. Brilliant choice.

[@matzo2217]

Looking awesome - can I suggest this must have a Choady Shifter, with the knob nestling within a gaiter made from the seat fabric ! go on Jonny !

[@FabCoUK]

I’m not sure he’d have much chance of changing gear 😅

[@stevelee5724]

1:52 lol when the car came down on the lift the Husky went down on the floor. Good timing dog Cheers from New Zealand 🇳🇿

[@FabCoUK]

😃

[@glennlawrence3098]

Love it mate - but take a bit of advice - get the steering rack pillow blocks made from alloy - dont use poxy plastic hyd. tube clamps. You'll get creep with the plastic and the heat under there wont help - will go soft.

[@FabCoUK]

Ok thanks!

[@minbannister3625]

I had an Allegro two door years ago I thought the styling was great. More of a five passenger coupe than a two door.

[@richardchubb3917]

I absolutely love this car

[@neilperry2224]

Cool build retro have got two on the go, with integra typeR chassis.

[@MrWhitley]

glad I'm not the only loon that does the craig Davies routine!!!😂😂

[@FabCoUK]

🎶

[@l9jjp]

Fantastic build brilliant engineering very cool

[@seanadams8504]

Awesome work Adam a work of Art look forward to the end result great video to detail 👊

[@FabCoUK]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@NK-dl2nc]

Good work. Not that confident on the pipe clamps on the rack. They are pretty robust but not sure how they would take any shock loading like kerbing it etc. The normal clamp and rubber type allows some extra resilience whilst containing it and allowing movement. I use these clamps in relatively low stress applications in some aerospace prototype work that I do. They are fine for that.

[@FabCoUK]

A lot of OE racks are solid mounted. We will learn in time how well it works 😊

[@NK-dl2nc]

@@FabCoUK yes they are but not with pipe clamps😂 Iam sure they will be fine with normal use as you have the rack captive between them.

[@EddieTheH]

​@@NK-dl2nc They'll become brittle and crack surprisingly fast.

[@spotfreefinish]

You're awesome, awe-inspiring amazing geezer! 😊

[@nelg1973]

Your skills & talent are unreal, no adding a separate type r floorpan to an allegro, like certain others.......

[@FabCoUK]

Thanks!

[@pinealism]

We don't really have anything like that in Australia, except for maybe a 1970's Toyota Celica, I think it looks really cool! It kind of looks like Japan made their own fwd version of an American muscle car

[@chrislee1760]

Top man . Nothing else needs to be said

[@villa50bis]

Can’t wait to see this driven for the first time, what a hoot. Allegro original means quick, finally you’re going to make one that lives up to the name. Trying to think of a good name for a sleeper Agro with a Honda engine. Slagro? Allegrosan? Hongro?

[@tommotdk]

Agronda

[@shanebrowning6817]

This and Retropower are making My dream sleeper car. Making the slowest and worst handling car epic. And to say this is the best sleeper as Retropower are modifying the body.

[@FabCoUK]

Thanks!

[@jamesh5460]

What a cool "sleeper" car.

[@FabCoUK]

😎

[@julesb5414]

Superb work mate, looking good. Enjoying watching you engineer this build. Someone else favouring an E46 as their daily - parked out front your garage :)

[@FabCoUK]

Peak era 3 series!

[@ccm-racing]

It’s looking awesome. Just binge watched the whole series while sat in bed after surgery from a racing injury. Out of interest, what engine management are you going to be using? Keep up the good work, looks awesome 👏🏻

[@MurrayC]

I think it looks cool and the scabby original paint job in many ways is cooler that Retropower's restomod. Not my thing though, I fancied a mid engined CBX Mini back in the day!

[@FabCoUK]

The original paint does have its charm, but I’d definitely want a paint job on it if it were my car😊

[@pda49184]

Great work.. Looking forward to the next update on progress.

[@FabCoUK]

You and me both!

[@pda49184]

@@FabCoUK 😅😅😅😅

[@iannorton4463]

Blimey,,you sir, have the patience of a Saint..✌️👍

[@FabCoUK]

🤟🏻