1972 Alfa Romeo Montreal

Our current owner, Harvey, was determined to find the best example of a Montreal that was available in 2022. That meant that he “kissed a few frogs” before finding this prince amongst Montreals in a boutique classic car dealer in the Netherlands.

Heritage documents confirm that the car was produced in August 1972 and was destined for the Belgium market. Before the car arrived for restoration, it was, anecdotally, thought to be one of two cars owned by the Lips family who owned the Autotron car museum in Drunen in the Netherlands.

The vehicle was restored by a collaboration of marque enthusiasts and professionals who addressed all aspects of the car with a “nut and bolt” total mechanical restoration resulting in the exceptional example you see here today.

Harvey had the car imported to the UK in the latter part of 2022 with it first being registered here in November 2022. During his ownership, Harvey has had some aspects of the Montreal tweaked and improved to result in a car which is reported to drive very well indeed. Sadly, due to a recent injury Harvey is struggling to use and enjoy the Montreal to the extent that he would like which means this exceptional car is now available to a second UK keeper.

It was Marcello Gandini who was again charged with taking his original concept car and morphing it into a production ready touring Berlinetta. This is possibly why so many of the concept car’s defining characteristics made it through to the production models. The bonnet line became a little higher to accommodate the V8 engine and the individual headlamp slats were joined to cover both lights. Otherwise, not much changed resulting in a striking looking sports GT car.

Another interesting characteristic of the production cars was the range of individual and vibrant colours available. These included a metallic gold, a lobster orange and this car’s marvellous Verde Medio hue. This is our Montreal’s original factory colour, but it was professionally repainted during the restoration. As a result, its external condition is hard to fault. The paintwork exudes a deep, lustrous shine and makes the already eye-catching Montreal even more of an eye full.

The fit and finish of the panels is exemplary, possibly even better than new. The doors, rear hatch and bonnet all open and close smoothly and positively. Please note – at the end of our shoot the vendor noticed that the rear hatch had only latched fully on one side. Hence, any rear hatch misalignment noted in the photographs is due to this and not the fit of the panel. Our video shows the hatch in its correct, fully latched position.

This example sits on the correct and original Campagnolo 6.5 x 14 inch, 32 spoke alloy wheels. These are in an excellent condition, which is unusual for this vintage of Alfa Romeo and a testament to the depth and quality of the restoration. The wheels are shod with a matching set of Vredestein Sprint Classic radial type tyres in the correct 195/70 configuration.

The other Montreal signatures are all present and correct. From those sublime headlight louvres to the C-pillar vents and the centrally mounted twin tail pipes. The cabin glass and light lenses all appear to be in excellent condition and the requisite Bertone, Alfa Romeo and Montreal badges are in evidence.

The interior of the Montreal is a period delight and awash with originality and unique, Montreal flourishes. The front seats are finished in Avana Beige fabric which are upholstered into 16 horizontal box pleats to both squab and seat back. These are contained between smoothly finished bolsters. The low, full width headrests lend the seats a futuristic character. Needless to say, the condition of these is faultless.

The Montreal’s dashboard seems to meld a futuristic look with classic Alfa Romeo charm. The white on black Jaeger instruments are unique to the Montreal and a delight. The speedometer is calibrated in kilometres per hour but is unusual for the calibrations being divided by ten. The matching tachometer is redlined at 7,200 rpm. Each major gauge sits within its own circular binnacle which also contains a range of supplemental gauges. The classic look is reintroduced courtesy of the Hellebore, three spoke alloy and wood deeply dished steering wheel.

Other highlights include the sublime contrasting tobacco-coloured carpets, perforated and pleated headlining, central rocker switches and Montreal badged central ashtray. A modern but retro styled Bluetooth head unit is fitted. The seats fold forward to provide access to the black vinyl finished luggage shelf. This area is made to look like seats but is, clearly, not expected to be sat in. We suspect that this arrangement allowed Alfa Romeo to refer to the Montreal as a 2+2 when it suited them.

The flat and dainty rear glass panel lifts to reveal a concertina hard parcel shelf finished in black vinyl. This folds to afford access to the well-shaped boot that is finished in the same carpet as the cabin.

The Montreal is fitted with 2,593cc, quad-cam 90-degree V8 engine with indirect fuel injection. This was originally rated at around 197bhp and delivered 173 Ib-ft of torque. Power is fed to the wheels via a five-speed manual gearbox. Contemporary road tests achieved a top speed of around 139mph with a 0-60mph time of a shade over 7 seconds. That was considered as suitably competitive for the period.

During the restoration the Montreal benefitted from a full overhaul of the engine, spica fuel injection system, differential, gearbox and brakes. Since being in its current ownership further upgrades have been made to the brakes, suspension and exhaust components to produce a car which is more than a match for modern road speeds and conditions.

An absolute highlight of this example is the condition of the underside of this Montreal. In many ways it defies description so has been extensively photographed for your enjoyment and review. The under-bonnet condition follows in a similar vein making it very hard to fault in any respect.

There is a good level of provenance provided with the car, much of which we have photographed for your information. Key documents include a heritage certificate and numerous invoices from the period of its restoration. The current V5 is on hand and the car is registered as a Historic Vehicle meaning it is MoT and VED exempt in the UK.

There is an extensive photographic record of the restoration included which helps to show the depth and extent of the work undertaken.

The Alfa Romeo Montreal was never produced in high numbers, and today it represents a very rare sight indeed. Less than 50 examples are thought to still be in use in the UK. It is partly for this reason that the Montreal is such a head turning classic car. More likely, however, is the exciting and futuristic Gandini styling and the extrovert colours that often grace the Montreal. The real surprise, perhaps, is how useable the Montreal remains. It is light and spacious and can swallow enough luggage for the most ambitious of road trips.

What can be said about this example that the photographic package doesn’t more eloquently convey? The condition certainly deserves that overused “better than new” description with no aspect of the car either worthy or capable of improvement. If like current owner, Harvey, you promised yourself the best Montreal available, this surely has to be the car for you.

We estimate that this Alfa Romeo Montreal will reach anywhere between £75,000 - £95,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with the vendor in Stamford, UK; to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.