Vehicle Description
Alfa Romeo received a great honor in late 1966 when it was tapped
to create a conceptual exhibit of man's aspiration for the
automobile at the 1967 International and Universal Exposition, held
in Montreal - better known as the Montreal Expo. Alfa assigned
design duties to Bertone, and the project was spearheaded by
Marcelo Gandini, the young designer who had recently catapulted to
the forefront of automotive imagination with his stunning
Lamborghini Miura.
Two prototypes were prepared for the exhibition, and Gandini did
not disappoint. Using many of the same design cues from his
extraordinary Miura, his new Alfa had a shark-like nose extending
through a curved fender and shoulder haunches into a truncated
tail. The fabulously cool headlight "blinds" and stacked horizontal
vents on the C-pillar lent a futuristic look.
The fervent response from buyers was enough to prompt Alfa to
develop a production version, based on the proven 105-series Giulia
chassis, as with the Expo show cars. Because this was a special
halo model, the Giulia's twin-cam inline-four would not suffice.
Instead, the car got a modified, 2.6-liter version of the
competition-pedigree V8 found in the Tipo 33 Stradale. With
aluminum alloy construction, dual overhead cams, Spica fuel
injection and a dry-sump lubrication system, the advanced
race-derived engine ensured the aptly named Montreal had the
performance to match its stellar looks.
Just 3,925 examples were built between 1971 and 1975. A landmark
design from the great Marcelo Gandini, the Montreal has arguably
grown to be Alfa's most iconic road car of the 1970s.
Resplendent in its super-seventies livery of orange over black and
cream upholstery, this 1973 Montreal is an outstanding example
benefitting from expert refurbishment and long-term ownership. A
left-drive European spec car, it was sold new in the Netherlands,
and the history file includes a number of prior Dutch registration
certificates and owner's handbook. The first owner kept the car
from new until 1989. Shortly after the 2nd owner acquired it, they
began a cosmetic restoration, but the project unfortunately
stalled, and the car spent some time in storage. It was not until
2017 when the third owner acquired it, handing it over to noted
specialists Italclassic of Alicante, Spain for cosmetic and
mechanical freshening.
The car was subsequently refinished to a very good standard in this
flattering shade of orange, the interior faithfully retrimmed using
period correct materials, and the car brought back to running
order. The engine was reportedly rebuilt during the second owner's
tenure, but to be safe, in 2018 it was serviced and tuned by
Netherlands-based specialist Sam Van Lingen, to include new fluids,
filters, and hoses. Van Lingen also fitted new injectors, tuned the
Spica injection system, fitted new exhaust and an updated water
pump bearing.
Details include factory Campagnolo wheels shod with period-correct
Michelin Radial X tires, ensuring the car maintains a factory
authentic appearance. That theme continues inside, with black vinyl
trim, charcoal carpets, and beige seat inserts. The deep-dish wood
rim wheel and proper switchgear remain in place.
With its exotic quad-cam fuel-injected V8, 5-speed gearbox,
luxurious trimmings, and of course, outrageous Gandini styling, the
Montreal represents the ultimate Alfa Romeo of the 1970s. This
prime example needs little more than a new custodian to enjoy out
on their favorite ribbons of tarmac where it will undoubtedly turn
heads just as the original did in 1967.
Offers welcome, trades considered.
