1974 Vanden Plas 1500

The Vanden Plas 1500, 1.5 and 1.7 are five-seater saloons produced from 1974 to 1980.

A four door front-wheel-drive saloon of somewhat ‘individual’ appearance, the Vanden Plas had all independent suspension with front unequal length links, rear trailing arms and interconnected Hydragas units. The steering was by rack and pinion, the brake set-up was disc-drum and there was a five-speed gearbox.

The Vanden Plas 1500 (it was never badged as an Allegro) replaced the Princess 1300 in September 1974. It was built alongside its Austin counterpart and the bodies were then driven to the Vanden Plas works in Kingsbury. The resulting price of £2,001.39 was a very steep (by comparison, a Triumph 1500TC cost over £300 less) but there was a walnut veneered fascia, the seat facings were in the same Connolly hide as found in the Daimler Double-Six and the floor was covered in pile carpeting. Extras included a radio and automatic transmission.

Extra sound deadening, rear reading lights and front fog lamps were also a part of the Vanden Plas package, as was a round steering wheel that appealed to a more traditional customer base. With a top speed of 90mph and 0-60 in 16 seconds, the VDP never claimed to offer blistering performance, for it was ‘a natural choice for a car of taste’, according to the brochure.

The Vanden Plas 1500 subsequently gained folding rear picnic tables and was joined by the 1750 in 1979, the latter offering a top speed of 96mph. Both models were fitted with a rear fog lamp and front head restraints, with automatic gears no longer available on the 1500. In November of 1979 the Kingsbury factory and the last examples of the VDP, now badged as the 1.5 or 1.7, were made at Abingdon. Production ceased in October 1980.

The engine for the 1500 was a 1,485cc S4 SOHC unit while the 1750 was powered by a 1,747cc S4 SOHC plant. The 1500 had a five-speed, all synchromesh gearbox with optional four-speed AP automatic transmission; this was standard on the 1750.

Drivers used to modern front-wheel-drive cars may find the steering on the Vanden Pals somewhat heavy and the performance leisurely, but it does offer a smooth ride and a delightful cabin.

In addition to the challenges of Allegro ownership – corrosion of the front wings, lower scuttle panel, sills and jacking points, failed cooling systems – the Vanden Plas has the additional problem of sourcing the interior trim.

The Vanden Plas 1500/1750 is one of the last of British Leyland’s truly eccentric vehicles and deserves to be appreciated as such. Even the somewhat peculiar-looking radiator grille does grow on one in time.

Rivals to the Vanden Plas included the Ford Escort Ghia Mk.2, the Triumph 1500TC and Dolomite 1500HL, the HC-Series Vauxhall Magnum/Viva 1800, the Citroen GS Pallas, the Renault 12 TS, and the Volkswagen Golf GLS.