Austin Allegro Models

Allegro Model News

The next (11th Vanguards varient)Allegro model will be a SS in Lagoon Blue which is due at the end of January 2006. An Allegro model is available as part of a set - the Allegro / 1800 - Austin Centenary 2005 set with Applejack model. This is the first since the re-work of the basic Harvest Gold model in September 2004 to the latest standard of model. The previous version was the Brazil metallic colour version from August 2002. All the Vanguard models are listed below..

Allegro Models

There has been for many years very little opportunity to obtain models of many classic cars from the seventies and eighties. It was not until 2000 that a model of the Austin Allegro was widely available.

The first Allegro model that was available was a white metal kit, which was also available ready made, produced by a company called Sommerville between 1978 and 1981. This was of a two-door saloon and has since become a very rare collectors item. The Sommerville range of white metal vehicle now contains a four door Allegro in a range of authentic colours, expect to pay about £70 for one of these excellent models.

A more affordable model (around £10)was produced in 2000 by Lledo in their Vanguard range 1:43 scale range. The casting is of a four-door saloon and the different models released reflect the different types of Allegro by changing the radiator grill and other aspects.

A conversion kit is available to turn a Vanguard saloon into an estate. This is produced by Bijou Models

The Vanguard models

David Jinks in Model Collector magazine (July 2000), as part of an article relating to the models launch, described a prototype: "Etched wipers and grills, separate lights, side mirrors and those distinctive BL door pulls really add to the quality of the model.That very tricky, slightly dumpy barrel-sided look has been brilliantly captured".

Each model comes with separate wing mirrors to apply, a 'Tax Disc' card with the model description (and acts as a certificate for limited editions). There is also a photo card of the model with the year of release and brief history of the Allegro.

December 2001. Vanguard introduce a new range "Hidden Treasures" which is described by them on their web site as "Welcome to the Hidden Treasures range of Saloon Cars, a totally new and exciting concept in the Vanguards collection. Taking our fondest memories of vehicles fromt the bygone era of the 60's and 70's and transforming them into how we remember them, in all their rust laden, individualised glory. Never has the phrase 'They don't make them like they used to' been so aptly applied". The Allegro model produced is in Glacier White and rust. Click on its picture at the bottom of this page for a more detailed view.

In 2002 the Vanguard range was uprated to its "8-Point Specification" which promises: Faithful shapes, accurately scaled; Detailed wheels, hubs and tyres; Precisely matched colours and high quality paint finish; Detailed chassis with assembly fixings hidden; Working suspension; Accurate interiors, including dashboard and steering wheel; Jewelled headlights; Photo etched chrome detail parts.

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VA04510 - Allegro SS - Lagoon Blue - Due January 2006

This model has been pre-announced for 27 January 2006 (subject to change). I have noticed the model can be pre-ordered from Promotize.

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AU2002 - Applejack Allegro with 1800 Set - Limited Edition

"Some unhappy recent developments have overshadowed a milestone in the history of British automotive manufacturing. The year 2005 marks the centenary of Herbert Austin founding his plant at Longbridge – at the time he was criticised for building a production facility so far out of town! These two post-war phenomena offer 1:43 scale modelling of the highest quality, conforming as they do to the Vanguards 8-Point Specification Plan." - Vanguards Publicity

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VA45000 - Harvest Gold - new specification

Vanguards have been improving the specification of the models and in September 2004 the basic Allegro model in harvest Gold recieved the upgrade treatment to bring it in line with the rest of the range.

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VA45007 - Brazil Metallic

August 2002

 

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VA45006 - Glacier White

Limited edition. This glacier white model is part of the new "Hidden Treasures" range complete with rust effects. Click on the picture for more detailed picture.

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VA45005 - Patrick Motors

Limited edition of 4000. This is another rally car, this time in the bright red of Patrick Motors vehicle SOC292M. 

 

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VA45004 - Cosmic

Limited edition of 5000. This cosmic blue 1500 Super DeLuxe is of AUK47N introduces the 2001 model year. 

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VA45003 - Blaze

Limited edition of 4400. This orangy-red Allegro represents BSF933M.

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VA45002 - Works Rally Car

Limited edition of 4000. This model in brown represents NOJ946M.

 

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VA45001 - Metropolitan Police

Limited edition of 6400. This model represents panda car RYX554R in the typical light blue with white doors.

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VA45000 - Harvest Gold

The first model VA4500 is in Harvest Gold and is based on the actual vehicle VRF144L owned by an Allegro Club member. This model has special connotations for me as my very first Allegro was a four-door in Harvest Gold (ARE379M). This is the standard model and was replaced in September 2004 with a better featured version. The new version should be readily available.

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Bijou Models

Fancy a model of an Allegro Estate? With a little bit of work you can now create an Allegro estate model. This is made possible by a 'conversion' kit that allows you to take a standard Vanguards Allegro, replace the saloon body with an estate body (which you've painted to your own requirements) and re-assemble. The Bijou models transkits were marketed by Modelauto Ltd at £16.00 plus UK postage of £2.50 (overseas at cost) (prices subject to change)and they will also be able to supply Vanguard Allegros (about £10 each) for you to use as a base. Their web site is at the Zeteo online shopping centre.

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Sommerville

Sommerville produced a white metal kit between 1978 and 1981. This was of a two-door saloon. Currently you can purchase a four door Allegro in a range of authentic colours, expect to pay about £70 for one of these excellent models.

Dealers

Current Vanguards models can be purchased from the manufacturers site at www.lledodirect.co.uk

Vanguard Allegro models are available from most good model shops. I have always found Promotize in Oxford to provide a good service and can personally recommend their mail order service.

The Bijou Models 'transkit' for the Allegro Estate and Vanguard models was available from Modelauto Ltd at the Zeteo site. I am unsure of current availability.

The Sommerville Allegro is rarely available. One possible source is the Crossway Models site