[ROVERNET - UK] Horror on e-bay

[Peter Reynolds]

Sorry for the un-Rover comments here, but...

I learnt to drive on an Austin 1300, then later drove a 1300 Allegro  
when I lived in NZ.
The 4-speed gear change, dashboard, and driving position were much  
better on the Allegro than the 1300, but given the choice, I'd have  
the Austin 1300!
And the Austin 1800 "landcrab" had the most cavernous interior of any  
car I'd been in at that time (mid-1970's).

Now back to normal Rover programming...

The 3500s I spotted in Sausalito California, is no longer there.  If  
it was towed by the city, and that car will be one hell of a bargain  
when it comes up for auction.
(I know this is a horrible thing to do, but I would buy the car just  
for the seats!  Don't let me do that!)

Peter


On Mar 12, 2008, at 12:08 PM, Jim Cumberland wrote:

> The Allegros they were the replacement for the 11000/1300 series.   
> The Landcrab was replaced by the Princess wedge.  Crabs are great -  
> I just bought one, and love it.  Handles like a really big Mini (&  
> is not much bigger on the outside than the BMW MINI).
>
> For parts, tires, and accessories for all years of classic Minis  
> and Mini Coopers, please visit www.minimal-motoring.com.
> If you're looking for a part and don't see it on the website,  
> please email us: we have a lot of stock that is not yet on the  
> site, and we are constantly adding new items to our inventory.
>
> If you've got any car powered by a BMC A Series engine, and you  
> need engine parts, please have a look!
>
> We also carry an ever-expanding range of spares for the Morris  
> Minor 1000. they're not on the site yet, but will be soon - please  
> email us if you're looking for parts for your Minor!
>
> ----- Original Message ----
> From: Vern Klukas <vern at inkspotco.com>
> To: rovernet at lyris.ccdata.com
> Sent: Wednesday, March 12, 2008 3:02:30 PM
> Subject: RE: [ROVERNET - UK] Horror on e-bay
>
> How do these relate to the Austin 1800 (aka Land Crab or the 1300
> with a thyroid problem)? I had one of those once and quite enjoyed
> it, excellent party car as I recall though not at the top for
> engineering excellence.
>
> Yours
> Vern
>
>
>
>
>
>
>> I know these cars well. They are based on the Austin Allegro (Or
>> 'all-aggro' as the UK press dubbed them at one point). My first
>> venture into car ownership (they, and I were cheap).
>>
>> The interiors only suitable for the series II Allegro and other VDP
>> 1500s. They were quite advanced for their day, front wheel drive,
>> hydralastic suspension, monocoque body with only a rear subframe
>> (reduced weight and manufacturing costs). The natural development of
>> Issigonis's 1100 1300 plateform. But poorly implemented by
>> tragically bad BL management.
>>
>> You could get an 1100 and 1300 with what was basically a beefed up
>> mini drivetrain/engine unti. Or the 1500 and 1750 OHC setup. The
>> gear selection on these (5 speed box, mind) was so bad that one
>> journalist at the time commented that the gear change was like
>> waving a knitting needle in a jor of marbles.
>>
>> In the UK now they have a sort of cult status (rather like the
>> Gremlin does in the USA), but the prices have never realy got that
>> high.
>>
>> As a side note they didn't rust like a 1300, but were a little light
>> on stucture. I killed mine in a rather bad bit of driving, it
>> crumpled like a wet cardboard box.
>>
>> I'll stop rambling on about un-rover stuff now.
>>
>> Cheers,
>>
>> Steven
>>
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>
> -- 
> Vern Klukas                             I'm a little . . .
> Inkspot Type & Design
> vern at inkspotco.com
>
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