Review written on 8/1964.
The press around the Donut Allegheny V2 may look more appealing than the Lackawanna. But is it really a better Compact Car? As long as it's not as bad as the T149, Donut should be happy with their results. We luckily have a test model to figure out where this vehicle stands in the market. And if it lives up to what the advertisements are saying about it.

It has been a long time since I've driven a Compact Car that performed as well. I really hoped that the Donut Allegheny V2 would fix the performance funk we've had lately. Much to my chagrin, the Allegheny V2 did great! The 57 hp @ 5653RPMs 1134 cc V2 engine was able to launch the car. Getting out of the car I had to pop my neck. While there are faster Compact Car the Allegheny V2 does better than most. On our speed tests we were able to get the Allegheny V2 up to 94 mph and on the strip we did an impressive 36.403s 0 to 60 mph. The 43 lb-ft of torque can tow around 22 lbs. Which is great if you want to hitch up your son's little red wagon to haul around town. While Donut Allegheny V2 will never become a track car, it is one of the better performers. The handling characteristics of the Donut Allegheny V2 is borderline acceptable for a Compact Car. We wouldn't buy it for a tracking or narrow city streets. But for most people, who care little for driving, it is fine.

When it comes to comforts and luxury, the Donut Allegheny V2 isn't going to win any awards. It barely meets what you need in a vehicle. The seats are hard and uncomfortable for long trips. Features are a little barren, but it has the basic necessities. Material quality leaves a bit to be desired. We would not pay a premium price for this interior finish, but if you're looking for A to B transportation, it is almost tolerable.

The cramped Donut Allegheny V2 will leave your passengers knees permanently attached to their chest after you fold them up and slide them into that space they call a seat. The Allegheny V2's tiny 17 cu-ft of cargo and passenger space leaves very little room for even this review!

While not exactly handmade, Donut did put a bit of extra work into the Allegheny V2 and it shows. Panels actually fit and are made to last. The finish doesn't fade in the sun, and all the bolts have washers. It begs the question why buy a lower quality car every 5 years, and not buy the Donut Allegheny V2 which should last a few generations?

The Donut Allegheny V2 did very well on our dependability tests. We did not have any major issues in long term testing. The minor issues we did have were easy to resolve and not very costly. We believe that the Donut Allegheny V2 is dependable enough for even the most unknowledgeable owner. It proper care and maintenance, even if done by a shop, the Donut Allegheny V2 should last a very long time.

The 31.8 mpg city and might not look great. And it isn't. But there are worst options out there. That is no excuse however. The Donut Allegheny V2 needs to squeeze out a little more mileage if it ever wants to be a contender.

While being safe is important, Donut did not believe it was a priority in the Allegheny V2. The vehicle does provide enough safety features to be consider average for its class. It does not add anything more than that however.

In the end the Donut Allegheny V2 provide decent value for the money. It's not the best car in the Compact Car segment, but it won't disappoint. You could do a lot worse. If this model appeals to you I see no reason to dissuade you from it.