Allegro

Introduced in 1973 by British Leyland as the replacement for the popular Austin 1100/1300 series, the Austin Allegro was a front-wheel-drive compact family car designed to showcase modern British engineering and aerodynamically efficient styling. Styled by Harris Mann, the Allegro featured a distinctive rounded profile and introduced several unconventional design choices, most notably its famous square-shaped quartic steering wheel on early models.

Under the bonnet, the Allegro offered a wide array of engine options, ranging from the trusty 1.1-liter and 1.3-liter A-Series inline-fours to the larger 1.5-liter and 1.7-liter E-Series engines, paired with either a 4-speed manual, 5-speed manual, or 4-speed automatic transmission. A key technical feature was its Hydragas suspension system, an interconnected fluid-and-gas setup that replaced traditional steel springs to provide an exceptionally smooth ride quality for a light economy car.

Produced across three series until 1982 in two-door saloon, four-door saloon, and three-door estate body styles, the Allegro remains one of the most talked-about chapters in British motoring history. While its quirky styling and early production challenges earned it a polarising reputation, it has gained a dedicated cult following today, celebrated as an authentic icon of 1970s British automotive culture.