Styling was brought in-house (even though Italian styling was the height of fashion, and Pininfarina had done so well with the 1100), with Harris Mann's team dreaming up a low, lean, wedgy design. This trademark style soon distended as the BL parts bin was stuffed in, and the wedge became the pudding.The final indignity for the Allegro was the quartic (ie, square with rounded edges) steering wheel; it might have looked great on paper, but drivers hated it.It was launched in May 1973, and there followed a brief few months when everyone was convinced the Allegro was a good car There were queues of willing punters to buy it. Compile a list of 10 British motoring icons, and Sir Stirling Moss would undoubtedly top it - but nestling somewhere in the middle among the Aston Martins, Jaguars and F1 drivers, you would probably find a rather unremarkable small potato-shaped saloon. The Austin Allegro didn't sell well, and certainly underwhelmed those who drove it.
Yet, for reasons beyond its control, it has become one of the most infamous cars ever produced.It could have been so different. In 1968, one of the industry's mergers from hell produced a lumbering giant called British Leyland - a union of those great marques we now speak of in the past tense. Despite BL having a golden inventory of prestige cars, it struggled in the mid-market. Austin-Morris was in crisis, and it needed new cars to back up the Mini and 1100. BL bosses had seen new talent, such as the Alfasud, emerge from Europe and felt Austin should meet the challenge head on.Basing the new car on the 1100 was an advantage, because it had keen front-wheel-drive handling, a compliant ride and sharp styling. As much as Oliver might love pretending he's Bond, I reckon he might be feeling a bit fed up with the Esprit. Never an easy or relaxing car to drive, I think that perhaps he might want to give his wallet a rest. The Jaguar is much more laid-back and less frenetic; still sexy, but in a much more subtle way.
It won't turn heads but it will get admiring glances.Its economy is not wonderful, but that's not the point and, as Oliver said, it puts a smile on his face. Mostly, though, the Eventer bodywork made the XJS prettier and obviously more practical, so it must be the back-up for the Avantime - plus the fact that it is a genuine rarity, as only 60 or so were converted.CAR CHOICE: Please write to Car Choice, Features, Independent House, 191 Marsh Wall, London E14 9RS, or e-mail James Ruppert at carchoice independent.co.uk, giving your age, address and contact number, and details of the type of vehicle in which you are interested.. The words "high" and "maintenance" were coined for a car like a Lotus Esprit. There are a wide range of treatments, and it's big on natural therapies; you'll find the Bowen Technique, holistic massage and meditation on offer. www.cedar-falls.co.uk; 01823 433 233 10 Chewton Glen New Milton, Hants This five-star hotel has a luxurious Molton Brown spa and a huge range of therapies using Molton Brown goodies (from £25 for a mini-manicure). Spa breaks start at £235 for one night's bed, breakfast, dinner and a Molton Brown treatment. www.chewtonglen ; 01425 282 212The Ten Best is edited by Rebecca Armstrong r.armstrong independent.co.uk.
During the eight months Valerie and I had been together, I had always seen her as the strong one She was assertive, insightful and intelligent. But when she rang me that afternoon, she was on the edge of hysteria She was sobbing so hard that it was almost a scream Her words barely made sense. I caught something about an operation, a baby, they needed her in overnight, she didn't understand... She had gone to the GP that morning because of a bad period.
