The Montreal uses a 200 bhp, 2,593 cc DOHC V-8 engine with Spica mechanical fuel injection, five-speed manual transmission, front independent suspension, live rear axle with coil-spring suspension, and four-wheel disc brakes. Wheelbase: 92.5 in.
Alfa Romeo received a tremendous honor in late 1966 when it was selected to create a conceptual exhibit of man’s aspiration for the automobile at the 1967 International and Universal Exposition, held in Montreal. Alfa assigned coachwork duties to Bertone, and the project was spearheaded by Marcelo Gandini, the young designer who had leapt to the forefront of the automotive imagination with the Lamborghini Miura.
Two identical prototypes were prepared for the exhibition, and Gandini did not disappoint. Channeling many of the same cues that made the Miura so innovative, the new Alfa was wide and low with a shark-like nose extending through a curved fender and shoulder haunches into a truncated tail. The headlight “blinds” and stacked horizontal vents on the C-pillar were attractive, as well as futuristic in concept.
Strong customer interest prompted Alfa to develop a production version, which continued to be based on the respected 105 Series chassis, as with the Expo show cars. A new direction was taken for the model’s engine, however. Discarding the 105’s standard twin-cam inline-four, Alfa’s engineers installed a modified version of the competition-pedigreed V-8 from the Tipo 33 Stradale prototype race car. Featuring aluminum alloy construction, dual overhead-cam actuation, and a dry-sump lubrication system, the advanced racing engine provided the new production model with nearly unprecedented power for an Alfa road car.
Just 3,925 examples of the appropriately named Montreal were built between 1971 and 1975. The landmark design on the resume of the great Marcelo Gandini features one of Alfa Romeo’s most legendary motors, and the Montreal has arguably grown to be Milan’s most iconic road car of the 1970s.
The example offered here in its most attractive Apple Green Metallic coachwork was the subject of restoration some years ago by a regarded specialist. The Alfa still presents itself very well today.
Experiencing very little use since its restoration, the Montreal is now ideally suited for driving pleasure, while remaining good in presentation, it may not be a certain show winner, but it is a very fine car with superb investment potential at a very sensible reserve.