Inspired by an Alfa-based Bertone styling exercise, penned by Marcello Gandini, that had been exhibited at the 1967 Montreal Expo, the two-seater Montreal coupe debuted at the Geneva Salon in 1970. Unlike the Expo prototype that used Alfa's 1.6-liter twin-cam four-cylinder engine, the production Montreal used a "civilized" 2593cc version of the T33 sports racer's four-cam V8.
Air vents behind the doors suggested a mid-engined layout like the T33's, but as installed in the Montreal the dry-sumped engine was front-mounted and drove the rear wheels via a five-speed ZF gearbox. Detuned for road use, this superb, race-pedigreed power unit produced 200 hp at 6,500 rpm courtesy of electronic ignition and Spica mechanical fuel injection.
The Montreal's running gear was sourced from the contemporary Giulia 1750 GTV, comprising independent front suspension and a live rear axle, plus disc brakes all around. Aided by its slippery, fastback body styling, the Montreal was good for a top speed of 137 mph and, in spite of a hefty price tag, proved very popular-3,925 examples found customers between 1970 and 1977.
Left-hand drive like the majority of Montreals, this example has formed part of an important private collection for the past ten years and is presented in excellent condition. The car is finished in red with black interior, and is fitted with an Airco air conditioning system. This rarely seen and highly desirable Italian Grand Routier is offered with details of service history and previous owners.
{analysis} This car sold for $13,993, including buyer's premium, at the Bonhams Goodwood Revival, held September 6, 2002.
Montreal ownership is stressful, yet rewarding. When I bought my Montreal some 12 years ago, I found myself in that pre-Internet era surrounded by snake-oil prescribing Montreal doctors and greedy parts sellers.
The advent of e-mail and the Internet, increasing the availability of reliable information, has made Montreal ownership much less angst-ridden. Cures for the car's weaknesses and idiosyncrasies are becoming more well known: the engine water pump jackshaft bushing replacement, the weak forged alloy transmission shift forks and easily cracked steering box mounting flanges are a few of the more serious issues that can now be dealt with relatively easily.
Bruce Taylor, an enthusiastic Monti owner from Geneva, Switzerland, has created a comprehensive Montreal resource, the Montreal Homepage (www.alfamontreal.info). Bruce also started the Montreal Digest, an
e-mail list, which can be joined by visiting groups.yahoo.com/group/alfamontreal/join.
The Montreal has an unusual mechanical specification and is visually exciting. It is an excellent grand touring coupe, with sufficient interior space for two adults and limited luggage. The steering, while heavy at low speeds, is light and accurate when motoring along. The soft suspension makes for a comfortable ride, however the body does experience the typical Alfa cornering roll (Portlander Dave Rugh and Harvey Bailey Engineering of England have sport suspensions for the Montreal).
If purchasing a Montreal, be sure that it has its original "turbina" style wheels as they are a unique size for this application. Larger wheels and tires are ill advised, as they will overstress the steering box and affect the handling adversely as well. Only buy complete cars; the trim bits are expensive and hard to find. Run fast from cars with visible rust and/or evidence of home-boy accident repairs. You're buying a car outside of the collector mainstream in the first place; don't make it worse by picking up a bad one.
The driving posture is typical of Italian cars: arms outstretched to reach the wheel with knees bent outward and feet offset from center. The clutch is heavy, and the ZF gearbox notchy. As with all Alfas, a proper warm-up of the engine and drivetrain is essential for long life. Be sure that your mechanic has an excellent understanding of Spica fuel injection; you don't want to finance his Montreal education.
This particular Montreal's sale price was right in line with the SCM Price Guide. For a similar car in the States, a similar sale price could be expected with motivated buyers present. Excellent Montreals typically sell with little advertising, most often by word-of-mouth through the local or national club. There are plenty of rats and fright pigs out there, lurking for unsuspecting, uninformed buyers.
I wholeheartedly support SCM's assessment of the Montreal in the collector car world: it will languish near the bottom of the collector car market. Future substantial increases in market value are quite unlikely, as many collectors who remember the Montreal at its introduction have moved onto higher-tiered collectibles. Younger collectors may not be cognizant of Alfa Romeo and the Montreal, and may avoid it.
This leaves a small pool of prospective owners, found mainly through the Alfa club. The clutch of 100 or so US Montrealisti form a small, tight-knit community.
However all the problems are soon forgotten as I accelerate the car through its five gears while listening to the intoxicating growl of the engine and song of the exhaust. When the car is running right, the mechanical woes are left behind and the pleasures of being behind the wheel of an affordable exotic come to the fore.-Doug Zaitz{/analysis}