Restored Montreal with well preserved original interior
Increasingly sought after V8-engined Alfa designed by Gandini
French Controle Techniques certificate to 3st May 2025
Naturally it is finished in bright Alfa red
The Appeal
The stunning Alfa Romeo Montreal has two key features that cause classic buyers to increasingly seek out the few thousand that left the factory. It was designed by Marcello Gandini, who incorporated several of the features also found on his masterpiece, the Miura, and it came with a race-derived 2.6litre V8. There is a third reason of course: it looks amazing.
This 1975 Montreal appears to have been sympathetically restored, retaining its well preserved interior, and recently treated to significant mechanical investment. It looks as arresting today as it surely must have done on that day in 1967 when it was revealed at the Montreal Expo. Rare and rewarding, it is tempting for any red-blooded petrol head.
Original beige carpets in good condition throughout with some light marks visible
Some deterioration of the rubber underlay in the boot area
Matching Campagnolo spare wheel with what appears to be the original tyre still fitted
Some small cracks in the boot trim around the lock catch area
Alfa Romeo was familiar with building upmarket GT cars but the Montreal was still a significant departure, both in terms of looks and running gear. To meet the demands of this move into junior supercar territory the firm equipped the interior of the Montreal to a high standard, combining big velour seats with quality veneers and a very sporting feel.
The classic twin cowls of the dashboard mean you could be in no other car than an Alfa Romeo. They are the starting point for a beautifully designed interior that is more than a match for the distinctive Gandini-penned bodywork.
The interior of this car appears to be highly original and that must surely be one of its biggest draws. It is in very good condition, supporting the impression that this is a low mileage car. The trim and fittings show some light signs of age that fall into the category of ‘patina’ rather than deterioration.
The Montreal is billed as a 2+2 and while there are two small rear seats, they are trimmed in vinyl rather than velour and clearly intended for show rather than serious use. As with the rest of the interior, this area is in very good condition.
The only signs of use are to the centre console where the veneer has some localised heat deformation and the trim around the gear selector appears to have lifted slightly. These are likely easily remedied.
The boot area is in similarly original condition and houses a matching Campagnolo spare with what appears to be an old spare tyre.afla_romeo_montreal_1975-69.jpg756.15 KB
The Exterior
Very presentable exterior in classic Alfa Romeo red
Classic Gandini trademarks including the upswept side window profile, headlamp ‘eyebrows’ and side vents
Red paintwork appears to have been resprayed, an older repaint that shows only minor signs of use
Small area of overspray on driver’s door lock
There are a few paintwork chips around the car, none immediately visible, but including around the exhaust pipes at the back, on the driver’s door edge, fuel filler flap and a scratch and chip on the driver’s side front wing
The paintwork shows a few areas of marks in the undercoat beneath, such as on the driver’s side rear wing
Factory correct Campagnolo alloys appear to have been refurbished and in good condition just some deterioration of the centre caps visible
Pirelli P600 quality tyres in good condition
The front spoiler is lightly scuffed
It may be hard to imagine now but for many years the Montreal was a footnote in Alfa Romeo’s history, a quirky cul de sac that the firm reversed out of, never to revisit. The Gandini connection plus the undeniable impact of that design have fuelled the rise in interest and prices of these rare cars in recent years.
It is a visually arresting design, one that contains several Gandini hallmarks yet is also distinctly Alfa Romeo. The upswept side window profile, headlamp eyebrows and staggered side vents all recall his earlier Miura, a car that is no stranger to lists of the world’s most beautiful cars. It is also a clever design, the NACA bonnet duct managing to disguise the raised bonnet line required by the V8 engine.
This car appears to have been repainted at some point in its history, a refresh that remains in good condition with only light signs of use. There are a few minor chips around the car, none of which detract, and if observing very close there are slight flaws in the paint. Elsewhere the front spoiler is lightly scuffed. It is a very solid looking car and has a French Controle Techniques certificate valid until May 2025 confirming its structural integrity.
2,593cc Alfa Romeo V8 fuel injected engine developed from the 33 Stradale race car
Develops around 200bhp with 0-60mph in 7.4secs
5spd manual gearbox
Recent mechanical improvements include:
8 new spark plugs
New battery
Ignition system overhauled
Injectors cleaned
Oil and filters replaced
Oil pump refurbished
Fuel tank rinsed and seals replaced
Clutch slave cylinder replaced
Brake fluid change
Fuel pump kit fitted
Radiators refurbished
Starter motor repaired
Coolant system overhauled including seals and hoses
Engine bay cosmetically refreshed
At the time of writing we did not have access to the service and maintenance records of this car
On paper the Montreal’s specification was mouth-watering to buyers and helped nearly 4,000 through showrooms during its production run. It used the 2.6litre engine from Alfa’s 33 Stradale race car, pumping out a healthy 200bhp. The running gear was taken from the firm’s successful Giulia GTV sports car.
The Montreal was relatively heavy compared to the GTV which blunted performance and made it more of a GT car than the out and out sports car suggested by the looks. Seen in that context, which classic car collectors increasingly have, it is a remarkable car, providing V8 power and a cosseting ride to match those looks.
We did not have access to the service and maintenance records for this car but we understand that it has been treated to significant mechanical improvements in recent times. These are listed above and indicate that the key areas of the car have been maintained and reflect a fastidious owner.
Be thankful that someone at Alfa Romeo had the courage to turn the astonishing Montreal show car into a proper road-going car. Many car makers bottle that transition but that commitment resulted in a car as technically advanced as it was stylish.
This beautiful Alfa-red Montreal appears to have been carefully renovated mechanically and cosmetically but wisely retaining the patina of that lovely interior. These cars are increasingly in demand. If a Miura isn’t quite within your reach then this is surely the next best Gandini-designed alternative.
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