1974 Alfa Romeo Montreal

Details

The Alfa Romeo story began in June 1910 when A.L.F.A (Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili) was founded in Milan, Italy. Their first car, the 24hp, was a great success and the Alfa name became synonymous with motor racing in the early years. In 1915 Nicola Romeo took over the company and during war time its focus was on military equipment, however, it wanted to build cars. Soon after the very first Alfa Romeo motor vehicle, the Torpedo 20-30 hp was built.

Through until the 1950’s Alfa Romeo was responsible for some of the most exclusive road cars and most successful race cars ever built. Following the Second World War the company was in financial difficulty and it decided a change in direction was necessary to survive, and rather than hand build luxury sporting cars it decided to focus on mass production. Hence, the Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint was born. Alfa got the formula right and as testament to the success of this model the car was in production for over a decade from 1954 through until 1965.

Throughout the 1950’s and 60’s Alfa Romeo built a number of different models including four door sedans, two door coupes and convertibles, however, regardless of the model their cars always had a sporting edge. They were a ‘driver’s car’ first and foremost.

The 750/101 series cars and later the 105 series cars were great value for money and very popular the world over, however, they were essentially ‘entry level’ sporting cars. By the mid 1960’s Alfa Romeo wanted to build a high performance sports car, reminiscent of days gone when Alfa Romeo was seen at the upper echelon of automotive marques. Enter the Alfa Romeo Montreal! A concept car was first shown in 1967 at Expo 67, held in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. So the story goes the car did not have a name at that time and it was aptly dubbed ‘Montreal’ by the car world. It was a name that stuck. The Bertone  design is unique and regarded by many as one of his finest.

The car took some time to develop and the first ‘production car’ was shown at the 1970 Geneva Motor Show, though cars weren’t actually built until 1971. The Montreal was designed to compete with the likes of the Porsche 911 and Jaguar E-Type, which it did very well. Though more expensive than both, Montreal sales were strong and from 1971 to 1978 just over 3,900 cars were built, of which only circa 180 were factory right hand drive.

Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer this 1974 Alfa Romeo Montreal. According to Storica Alfa Romeo this car is a UK delivered, factory RHD example originally finished in metallic ‘luci del bosco’ (metallic brown/bronze) with an ‘avana beige’ interior. It has a manufacture date of the 2nd September 1974 with a sale date of the 10th September 1974.  The car is understood to have been fitted with a sunroof when new by the UK dealer for its first owner.

According to the current owner the car was imported into Australia in circa 1981 and it resided in Ballarat, Victoria. It was at this time we understand that the car was repainted red. The Montreal was then sold to an Alfa Romeo mechanic / specialist in Perth, Western Australia who is understood to have had the car for many years before selling it to another well known Perth based ‘Alfisti’ and car collector. The current Sydney based owner acquired the car from him in 2014. The current owner is an Alfa Romeo enthusiast who has owned a number of Montreals over the years and is aware of these cars’ idiosyncrasies and how to sort them. This car has had the Spica fuel injection system refurbished (at approx 72,000 miles) and recently been given a bare metal respray. The car was reported as being in very good condition structurally with minimal rust. The gearbox has also been rebuilt and a compression test done when the car was purchased which confirmed the engine to be in good health. When the car arrived in Sydney it had sheepskin seat covers fitted, which had obviously been on the car for a very long time. These were carefully removed to reveal the fabulous period velour seats which are in remarkably good condition. 

Today the car presents and drives beautifully. The new paintwork is bright with a high depth of colour as one would expect. All of the glass, exterior trim, badges and the wheels are also in very good condition. The engine bay is clean with no immediate evidence of any oil leaks. The car starts easily and once warm and out on the open road it pulls strongly through the rev range. The car handles and stops as it should.

The interior is all original and an incredible ‘time capsule’. It’s hard to believe it is from a near 45 year old car! The velour seats have been beautifully preserved and their condition is ‘just lovely’. The condition of the interior could be further improved (and brought up to a preserved, original, concourse standard by a specialist detail and clean. There are a few small light stains on the hood lining, carpets, door cards and seats (very minor) . . . we’re being really fussy here! The carpets are worn but still presentable. There are a few very small cracks in the dash. The headlining has a minor tear above the driver’s head.

Accompanying the car is an original owner’s manual, a tool kit (including the rare emergency window winder), a jack and two sets of keys.

Today the odometer reads 74,620 miles.

Alfa Romeo Montreals are becoming thin on the ground and the ‘secret is out’ as this Bertone masterpiece is becoming highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts the world over. This car is a stunning and therefore presents a unique opportunity.
  

---