Steve Hnz
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| posted on 22/5/04 at 09:20 AM |
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Allegro steering column
This may sound quaint to those in the Uk, to whom I imagine Allegros are things of memory, but here in NZ where things don`t turn to scroph with the
same sense of urgency as they do in your salt laden shores, I`ve the opportunity to buy an Allegro steering column as mentioned in the first edition
of "the book". I was originally looking to get this just for the lower shaft to get away from the rubber donut on the Sierra column I
already have. I find the Ford switch gear a bit daunting, & the steering lock unlikely to be compatible with after market steering wheel bosses???
Maybe or not???.
I also like the simplicity of the BL switch gear but wonder, Is there anything inherently wrong with Allegro columns &/or switches? Sorry to
take so long to get to the point.
[Edited on 22/5/04 by Steve Hnz]
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MikeR
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| posted on 22/5/04 at 11:40 AM |
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Westfield use them!
I'm not sure if the column has a built in colapsable section which is important for the SVA test in the uk. The way round it is to have two
UJ's at a greater than 10 degree (maybe 15) angle.
Depends on what your rules are.
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stephen_gusterson
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| posted on 22/5/04 at 07:15 PM |
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I dont know whats magic about an allegro column - the sierra / granada one worked fine for me!
atb
steve
PS - the allegro was a car that was never well liked in the UK - along with the Marina it ran alongside.
It prob wasnt rust that did for them, but depreciation. If you have a car that no one wants, and it needs a few quid spent on an MOT - like the
ashtrays are full, and a bulb is gone - than its enougth to junk it.
I recon a lot of unpopular cars go that way.
Now, the fiat 127 - they prob rusted away - along with the strada. These were really common cars in late 70s early 80s - but I havnt seen either for
years (strada = rtimo in europe)
atb
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Browser
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| posted on 22/5/04 at 11:54 PM |
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Allegros were never well liked because of their nasty dynamics and their resemblance (shapewise) to a large elephant turd If you want to pass some
time, go here The unofficial Austin Rover Webpage which has within it's many pages a
fascinating insight into the design histories, behind-the-scenes machinations, prototype car stories and other info concerning the BMC/BL/Rover Group
story. I have met Keith the site owner as he is also a rabid Citroen BX 16 valve fan and when asked he said he did the site as 'no-one else had,
besides it was something to do'!
My second car was a Strada Super 85. 1500cc, 85bhp (pretty impressive for 1989) went & handled well. Ultimately 'retired' from the
road by me after the combination of a greay roundabout, too much speed, a kerb, a shagged rear spring (single transverse leaf) causing the suspension
to compress fully onto the bump stops and a rather solid lamp post.
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Spyderman
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| posted on 23/5/04 at 01:11 PM |
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Steve,
If you have access to an All agro steering wheel and column then go for it.
There are no major issues with the switch gear or column that I am aware of.
Switchgear being Lucas just means that they are simple in construction and easily sourced for spares.
The only concern I would have is if you have the Square steering wheel with it?
Terry
Spyderman
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Steve Hnz
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| posted on 23/5/04 at 01:23 PM |
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Thanks Terry, It was the nice simple two lever switch gear that I like rather than the three lever Ford gear, admittedly for probably no good reason
other than I can if I want! You`ve set my mind at rest on that.
Think I`ll probably dispence with the Allegro wheel Anyone know what other cars shared the same spline as the Allegro. I couldn`t face going in
& asking for a sexy wee wheel for an Allegro. Thanks, Steve.
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NS Dev
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| posted on 23/5/04 at 02:36 PM |
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Ok, just another aside here, I am using an Opel Manta steering column, for similar reasons on the stalks front, plus I have loads of them laying
around as I have owned/dismantled more mantas than I can remember. (oh yes, and it's almost the same length as the Sierra column so it fits
easily in the ST I am building)
The big plus is that the steering lock is of the old fashioned type like the allegro i.e. not internal with the steering wheel, it has a nice long
collapsible section, and has just ONE stalk! This is no big plasticcy thing either, it has a nice metal stem, and does main/dip beam, wipers, washers
and indicators. As I have no screen/washers, I am using the wash button on the end for the horn, and the 3 position wiper switch to turn my sidelights
and then headlights on. The hazard lights button is also built into the column, meaning I only have to have a separate switch for the foglight. One
stalk, one switch, as you may have guessed, I like the minimal approach!
The UJ's for the manta column are (nearly) the same as volvo 400/700/900 series so easy enough to replace the Opel ones which are always
knackered!
[Edited on 23/5/04 by NS Dev]
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NS Dev
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| posted on 23/5/04 at 02:39 PM |
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Steve, just a thought, and pretty obvious so you will already have thought of it, but as the westfield uses an allegro column, you can use a westfield
boss for your steering wheel!
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Spyderman
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| posted on 25/5/04 at 11:50 AM |
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I'm pretty sure the Austin Minis from same period had same spline, as BL were great believers in standardisation of components.
Back then you could go into a scrappy and get parts from any other model and they would fit whichever BL car you had.
A quick check on some enthusiasts sites should confirm this though as there are some collectors clubs around.
Spyderman
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locost_bryan
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| posted on 27/5/04 at 03:01 AM |
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The switch gear is the standard Lucas, ie same as Triumph 2500/Marina/Mini & Chevette. Wouldn't surprise me if they all had the same boss
fitting.
The Marina TC had a sporty steering wheel, and the 2500PI had a sporty leather job, IIRC.
Bryan Miller
Auckland NZ
Bruce McLaren - "Where's my F1 car?"
John Cooper - "In that rack of tubes, son"
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Steve Hnz
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| posted on 27/5/04 at 11:54 AM |
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Thanks to all who replied to this, I gave my pride a holiday & rang ( anonymously) my local Repco branch (sort of like Halfords I think) &
asked them if they can do a boss for an Allegro in the range of Sportline wheels they carry. They do. Same as 1300s, Maestros etc so they tell me.
I'm off to visit the scrappy & have another look tomorrow. Cheers, Steve.
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Terrapin_racing
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| posted on 28/5/04 at 08:54 AM |
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The Allegro lower column is a kit car builders dream. I have a couple of these (from last scrap yard visit) in my parts store.
Firstly, it is simply a short length of solid carbon steel bar about a foot long or so with two compact and well engineeres UJ's (one either end)
which are very similar to the group 4 Ford escort ones.
Secondly, because they are under the dash and run from the steering wheel to the floor they are without exception found to be in excellent condition
(assuming the scrappy guy hasn't smashed all the glass and let the elements in.
Picture shows a kit with the lower part being an allegro section
[Edited on 28/5/04 by Terrapin_racing]
 
Rescued attachment allegro1.jpg
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Steve Hnz
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| posted on 28/5/04 at 11:06 AM |
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Went back to the scrappy today, decided the upper shaft wasn`t worth it but did get the lower shaft for reasons as given by Terrapin, much nicer than
the bottom of the Sierra shaft. I`ll try to find another Allegro steering column, but failing that, does anyone know if aftermarket steering wheel
bosses are machined/cast correctly to utilise the Sierra steering lock which dogs into cutouts in the base of the steering wheel boss. I`ll probaly be
looking to use a Sportline wheel which as it is made in Italy I imagine UK Locosters will have seen them. Don`t know if anyone in New Zealand carries
Mountney or Astrali, but they could be options too. Any info greatfully accepted.
NS Dev, we never got Monzas in NZ or a Holden equivalent but there are some Holden equivalents of smaller Opels, Vectras, Astras etc, I`ll have a
look at these too. Thanks & cheers, Steve.
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mangogrooveworkshop
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| posted on 28/5/04 at 11:54 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Steve Hnz
Went back to the scrappy today, decided the upper shaft wasn`t worth it but did get the lower shaft for reasons as given by Terrapin, much nicer than
the bottom of the Sierra shaft. I`ll try to find another Allegro steering column, but failing that, does anyone know if aftermarket steering wheel
bosses are machined/cast correctly to utilise the Sierra steering lock which dogs into cutouts in the base of the steering wheel boss. I`ll probaly be
looking to use a Sportline wheel which as it is made in Italy I imagine UK Locosters will have seen them. Don`t know if anyone in New Zealand carries
Mountney or Astrali, but they could be options too. Any info greatfully accepted.
NS Dev, we never got Monzas in NZ or a Holden equivalent but there are some Holden equivalents of smaller Opels, Vectras, Astras etc, I`ll have a
look at these too. Thanks & cheers, Steve.
Mountney bosses have the steering lock ridges in thier seirra boss.
Cheers
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NS Dev
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| posted on 1/6/04 at 11:59 PM |
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I think you are all sorted now but just to point out, I am using an Opel Manta steering column, not Monza, these have different switchgear altogether,
much more luxury oriented!
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Steve Hnz
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| posted on 2/6/04 at 12:39 PM |
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NS Dev , my mistake, meant Manta, we didn`t get them either. By the look of all this I`m going to stick with the Sierra shaft with a Mountney wheel,
& tough out wiring in the Sierra column switches. Cheers all & thanks for the input. Steve.
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locost_bryan
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| posted on 3/6/04 at 01:38 AM |
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There are a handful of Mantas and Monzas in NZ, mostly private imports.
Believe one of them was the 2-door version of the Opel Commodore, and the monster single stalk was used on the early (VB - VK?) Holden Commodore -
plenty of those around!
Bryan Miller
Auckland NZ
Bruce McLaren - "Where's my F1 car?"
John Cooper - "In that rack of tubes, son"
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