Wednesday 16th May 1973

British Leyland announced the Austin Allegro. It was launched in September 1974, with an on-the-road price of £1,159. Made between 1973 and 1983, the car was plagued with so many design problems, it was dubbed the ‘All-aggro’. Bizarrely, it was more aerodynamic when travelling backwards, and the early versions boasted a rectangular steering wheel, but it was nevertheless a very popular car. As late as 1979, 6 years after its launch, it was the fifth best-selling new car in Britain, although sales were falling by the time it was replaced by the Maestro in 1983. In a July 2008 poll conducted by The Sun, the Austin Allegro was named ‘the worst British car ever made.’