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Kirkstall man's love for the Austin Allegro
They were nicknamed "All Aggro" and voted the worst car in the world.
But this rare white Austin Allegro Estate is the pride and joy of owner David Falkiner.
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In fact he loves the much maligned motor – nicknamed Reb due to its registration REB 484S – so much he's owned it THREE times!
But the 69-year-old has put the 1977 car up for sale for the last time after having it in his family for two decades.
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The retired Leeds College of Building lecturer, from Kirkstall, said: "I bought the car in 1989.
"It was my son John, who runs the Princess Garage in Headingley, who told me about it after he spotted it in vehicle recovery services.
"They had a very bad name. It was in the public's psyche that the Allegro was a rubbish car.
"They were called All Aggro. People said bits dropped off, so the reputation stuck.
"But I'd already had a Gold Allegro Estate before, so I knew they were good cars."
He snapped up the white station wagon and replaced its seized 1300 engine with a brand new 1500 version.
The car remained in the family until the father-of-four sold it in 1996.
Mr Falkiner said: "I'd sold it to a bloke from Middleton who later brought it into John's garage for an MoT, which it failed.
"He didn't want it so I bought it back, but John drove it so eventually I sold it to him. I bought it from him in 2007.
"It's an extremely useful car. The back seats fold down and it becomes a van. It's incredible what you can get into these cars." The Allegro has been witness to Mr Falkiner's family growing up.
He said: "I've taken my younger son on numerous trips up and down the M1 when he was at university in Nottingham. I took one of my daughters to an interview for Ripon University, and had to use a bent metal coat hanger to get the keys after I locked them inside.
"My wife and I go to Northumberland a lot on holiday. We were staying at this hotel and came out one morning to find this lady staring at REB.
"It turned out she was the original owner from Hertfordshire. We had a little conflab and then shook hands."
Last year Mr Falkiner put a new engine in the Allegro but has put it up for sale for just under 1,000 as he and his wife need a four door car to transport OAPs to and from their local church. The car is also for sale on auction site eBay.
He said: "It's unfortunate that we're selling it in a way because it's become part of the family."
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Tuesday 07 February 2012
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