Designed to replace the popular Austin 1100/1300, the Austin Allegro would become one of the most controversial cars to be produced by British Leyland. In this well-researched book, marque expert Colin Corke looks behind the scenes to reveal the true story of this often-misunderstood car.Using previously unseen concept and styling images, the author analyses the development of the Allegro, along with the production and quality problems that were to damage its reputation. The book follows the development of different versions of the Allegro, encompassing Allegro 2 and 3. In addition, it covers variations and specials, for example, the estate, Crayford convertible and Vanden Plas. The book also examines the reception that the Allegro received abroad, including both Italy and France, and how it fared against foreign competition such as the groundbreaking VW Golf.Containing informed insights for classic Allegro owners, this book is a concise but authoritative guide to both the good and bad points of a car that came to symbolise the crisis which took hold of British car manufacture in the 1970s.