1977' Alfa Romeo Montreal

Usually a production version of a concept car is less exciting. Often the design is somewhat weakened and the engine is suddenly smaller. None of that with the Alfa Romeo Montreal, which is presented at the 1967 world exhibition in, yes, Montreal with a 1. 6 Nord engine. Three years later, the creation drawn by Marcello Gandini is in production at the Geneva Motor Show. With a V8.
Instead of a compact 1. 6 four-cylinder, the Montreal is equipped with a 2, 593 cc V8, which is good for 200 hp. In fact, the engine is a somewhat watered down version of the 33 Stradale, one of the most sensational Alfa Romeos ever. Chassis and suspension are heavily based on that of the GTV 1750. The five-speed gearbox comes from ZF and the Montreal has a limited-slip differential as standard.
At least as striking as the engine is the appearance of the Montreal. For example, there are the very characteristic grilles behind the doors. These were intended for the concept car to cool the engine, since that prototype had the engine behind the front seats. From a styling point of view, they were retained when the engine was moved forward.
This Montreal dates from 1971 and was delivered in the beloved color orange, although it sounds much nicer in Italian: Arancio. The car spent most of its life in Italy, where it was also registered with the ASI, the Automotoclub Storico Italiano. The papers are all with the car. A few years ago, the Montreal was restored with the body reduced to bare steel. As can also be seen in the photos of the restoration, the car was not very bad, but the then owner apparently thought that it could be a bit nicer.
And so the car was repainted in the right color. It looks great on the car, especially in combination with the black upholstery and light brown carpet.
The bodywork is very neat. The paintwork is, of course, very beautiful and the restoration took care of neat fits and seams of the body. Important, because the bright, flat color makes inequalities immediately noticeable. Other exterior parts, such as the bumpers, black parts and wheels are all in a very healthy condition. The beautifully stylized slats for the headlights naturally function properly.
Ok the interior is very neat. The seats look beautiful and are without noticeable damage, the rest of the interior can be called very neat. The beautiful clock shop looks special, with the speedometer and rev counter housed in larger circles in which other meters can be found.
The Montreal is powered by a 2. 6 liter Spica fuel injected V8. With this engine, a top speed of 220 kilometers per hour is achievable and the well-known 0-100 sprint takes only 7. 1 seconds. Serious values for the time and still no numbers to be ashamed of.
Driving a Montreal is a real pleasure. Chassis and brakes of this Montreal are more than okay and feel excellent. The steering also inspires confidence. For owners of an Alfa Romeo ‘Bertone’ or Giulia there will be a kind of recognisability, but in the meantime also a completely different experience. Due to the large power source and seats positioned further back, it is also completely different from a regular Alfa Romeo of the 105 series, to which this Montreal also belongs. Driving this Italian is a cross between comfort and sportiness. City traffic is fine, but the Montreal definitely prefers not to. Wonderful winding roads, whether in Italy along Lake Como or in the Netherlands on dike roads: that is the favorite environment of the Montreal. Incidentally, the Montreal also feels perfectly at home on the highway to make kilometers there at an above-average pace.
This Montreal has been cared for down to the last detail and offers the opportunity to acquire one of only 3, 925 copies. The car comes with the necessary documentation, including the certificates from the ASI, the original instruction booklet and many photos of the restoration.