Alfa Romeo Montreal, 1974, blu francia

 The Alfa Romeo Montreal was introduced as a concept car in 1967 at Expo 67, held in Montreal, Canada. Originally, the concept cars were displayed without any model name, but the public took to calling it The Montreal.It was a 2+2 coupe using the 1.6-litre engine of the Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti and the short wheelbase chassis of the Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GT, with a body designed by Marcello Gandini at Bertone. One of the two concept cars built for Expo 67 is displayed in the Alfa Romeo Museum in Arese,  while the other is in museum storage.

The first production car, Tipo 105.64, was shown at the 1970 Geneva Motor Show and was quite different from the original, using a 2593 cc 90° dry-sump lubricated, cross-plane V8 engine with a bore of 80.0 mm and a stroke of only 64.5 mm and using Spica pump that produced around 200 PS (147 kW; 197 hp), coupled to a five-speed ZF gearbox and a limited-slip differential. This engine was derived from the 2-litre V8 used in the 33 Stradale and in the Tipo 33 sports prototype racer. The chassis and running gear of the production Montreal were taken from the Giulia GTV coupé and comprised double wishbone suspension with coil springs and dampers at the front and a axle with LSD at the rear. Since the concept car was already unofficially known as The Montreal, Alfa Romeo kept the model name in production.

Stylistically, the most eye catching feature is the car's front end with four headlamps partly covered by unusual "grilles", that retract when the lights are switched on. Another stylistic element is the NACA duct on the bonnet. The duct is actually blocked off since its purpose is not to draw air into the engine, but to optically hide the power bulge. The slats behind the doors contain the cabin vents, but apart from that only serve cosmetic purposes. Paolo Martin is credited for the prototype instrument cluster. Production was split between the Alfa Romeo plant in Arese and Carrozzeria Bertone's plants in Caselle and Grugliasco outside Turin.Alfa Romeo produced the chassis and engine and mechanicals and sent the chassis to Caselle where Bertone fitted the body. After body fitment, the car was sent to Grugliasco to be degreased, partly zinc coated, manually spray painted and have the interior fitted. Finally, the car was returned to Arese to have the engine and mechanicals installed. It is worth noting that because of this production method, there is not necessarily a correspondance between chassis number, engine number and production date. Total production was around 3,900.

A Montreal can be seen in the 1974 movie The Marseille contract where Michael Caine drives a metallic dark brown example. A careful observer can find a red Montreal in the beginning of the James Cameron movie True Lies immediately prior to the lead character saying "Here is my invitation." A Montreal is also featured in the 2017 movie Atomic Blonde.

According to Alfa Romeo Storico, our car, AR 1428308, left the Factory in September 1974, with one of the best combo, Blu Francia body with blu interior. The car spent all its life in Iran, with only two owners and due to the nice and dry Iranian climate, the car never suffered from any corrosion, or any damage. The car was found in lovely unrestored condition and showing just over 58.000 km on the tachy, all the panels are completely original and correctly aligned, only the body was re-painted in the late 90’s in Metallic Grey. The bodywork is totaly rust free, the car has always been well preserved. All the rare Montreal specific units, chrome, badges and stainless steel finishers are original, and the car will come with all its original Alfa Romeo documents, Uso e manutenzione, Alfa Romeo folder…

Its original factory 00564*02243 engine with Spica pump and dual ignition is still in place, waiting to shout again. The car is currently under a complete body and mechanical restoration to recover its original shine and beautiful Blu Francia body color. A unique opportunity to buy a delicious « Gran Turismo » Alfa car, with a magic dry-sump 2,6l 90 degrees Alfa V8 born for racing with the mythic 33 race car…

Available end of 2022.

€ PAO