Austin Allegro Special L.E – Reunited with Its Original Owner at A Wedding by Expert Writer Andrew Roberts

Virtually anyone who owns a classic car knows that it is almost always never just about the engineering and the metalwork. When participating in a show, some members of the public instantly recall their parents’ former transport, their first company car or the now rare saloon once driven by their primary school teacher. Plus, did I dream of a passerby on a photoshoot overcome with nostalgia on seeing a London Metropolitan Police Rover SD1? “I was pulled for fly-tipping in that!”.

And classic cars often take part in weddings, including Geoff Taylor’s Austin Allegro Special L.E. on the 20th of December 2024. This fine car will be familiar to many readers and, as its name suggests, this is no ordinary 1500 Series 2. When it debuted on the 5th of April 1978, the L.E. tempted prospective buyers with £2,965.95 to spare with its front fog lamps, five-speed transmission, Sundym tinted glass, and paint choices of Tara Green or Astral Blue “both with the unique L.E. side-stripe”. 

All this was before they noticed the passenger door mirror, the lockable fuel cap, and the push-button radio while a tachometer and a leather-bound steering wheel helped “the discerning driver get the best out of Allegro motoring”. In other words, the Special L.E. offered excellent value for money and some 6,800 examples left the factory. Geoff is the proud owner of one of the few survivors, and he recently drove a bride and her mother, who was the Allegro’s original owner back in 1978, to the ceremony.

As Geoff explains, the bride’s future husband posted on the Allegro Facebook group asking if anyone knew the whereabouts of the Special L.E. that she remembered her late father driving. Fortunately, Geoff saw the message and got in touch. As for the family’s reaction on seeing the Allegro again, - “They were chuffed – and they kept it a secret from her until I rolled up on the wedding day”.

A classic car really is far more than mere metal and components – as Geoff’s Allegro wonderfully demonstrates.

With thanks to Geoff Taylor for his time.

With thanks to Geoff Taylor for permission to use the images in this blog.