1975 Alfa Romeo Montreal

Imported to the UK from Switzerland in May 1989 by classic car dealer John Hartland, this Alfa Romeo Montreal was registered on the 26th of that month. 

Its next owner, David Eaton, spotted it for sale in Motorsport magazine two months later and bought it to use whilst restoring his Lamborghini Espada. At that time he commissioned Hayward and Scott in Essex to fabricate and fit a new aluminium fuel tank to replace the porous original item; he also, via Chris Slade, long-time secretary of the Alfa Romeo Owners Club –Montreal, sourced a replacement rear screen (no mean feat, as even then they were like gold dust!).

David used the Alfa regularly, owning until it went to auction in June 2015, which is where the current vendor bought it. He works in the classic car trade and has maintained the vehicle meticulously, carrying out small mechanical works where necessary.

“It drives really well, brakes well and sounds beautiful,” he says. “I had another Montreal and it didn’t sound as good as this example, so I think it’d had a sports exhaust added at some point. The underside is lovely and the interior nice. Paintwork does have some crazing on it and chips present; we tried machine polishing it, but to no effect. It’s smart but the next owner may wish to re-spray the car”. 

The Montreal has only covered circa 500km since 2015, spending most of its time in storage. However, it had considerable money (a combined £13,026.62) spent re-commissioning it in June 2023. Work carried out included:

• A new clutch, clutch master and slave cylinders and flexi hose
• Fresh front and rear brake discs, front and rear pads, caliper seal kits, and brake flexi hoses
• New front and rear wheel bearings
• New engine mounts
• Driveshafts stripped and refreshed with new bearing kits, and hubs and backplates painted
• A new Bosch battery

In addition to the above, labour costs included readying the car for the road by disassembling, checking and reassembling many components. During this, a whole host of replacement hoses, wires, studs, washers and mounts were fitted. The electrical system was checked and fettled. Finally, the Montreal had a comprehensive service and road test. 

Alfa Romeo produced incredibly brave automotive designs during the Sixties and Seventies, and the Montreal certainly sits within that category. There are echoes of Gandini’s other fare of the period, most notably the Lamborghini Muira, which in original form also featured an innovative headlamp treatment and a similar upsweep to the rear of its doors. 

This example’s Black coachwork certainly lends it a soupcon more malevolence than other lighter hued cars offer. Panel alignment remains very good and shiny paint offers a decent level of depth from a distance; up closer though, it’s clear that there is a fair bit of crazing, as well as some scrapes, scratches and chips present. 

The Campagnolo alloy wheels are nice and smart, wearing matching Fulda Carat Assuro summer tyres. As our photographs demonstrate, those ‘eyelids’ on the bonnet do work and once lowered change the car’s frontal demeanour considerably. 

It’s definitely a looker. 

The cabin is finished in a contrasting light/dark combination. The light being the headlining (white) and carpets (light grey, piped darker grey) and the dark, door cards and seats. It’s a pleasant combination, especially when combined with the beautiful original wood-rimmed Hellebore steering wheel and deeply dished instrument binnacle, and overall ensures that the cabin retains a light demeanor. 

The velour seat material is generally good, if a touch saggy here and there, and the driver’s seat has a small one-inch split on its outer edge, showing the orange material underneath. As with many 2+2s (especially those with minimal legroom in the rear), the back seats are in superior nick. 

You will find matching floor mats in the driver and passenger foot wells; both are a little stained and could perhaps benefit from a deep clean, or replacement. 

You need to get underneath this car to see it’s biggest selling point because the chassis and underside both present wonderfully. There’s almost a complete absence of any surface rust; instead, you get clean, well protected metal. Perhaps the only area requiring a touch up is a small graze on the lower edge of the front valance, underneath the lip spoiler. The vendor is of the opinion that this car has never seen a welder’s torch and, from appearances, we’re inclined to believe that. 

Okay, we said that the above was this car’s biggest selling point but under the bonnet sits a detuned version of Alfa Romeo’s legendary T33 quad cam, fuel injected, all-alloy racing V8 engine – woof. If you want to hear what it sounds like (and you most definitely should) then head to 2mins 03 secs on our Video Review below…

The engine sparks up first time and throttle blips elicit what can only be described as a mellifluous, deep-edged bark that has your mind’s eye involuntarily picturing the Monza racetrack. Oh mama, yes please.

The Spica fuel injection system is notorious for its complexity but this car’s is said to be functioning perfectly. 

Now, back to that glorious noise. 

The Alfa’s history file includes the car’s V5c document confirming the date of its first UK registration as 26/05/1989. It also indicates a total of three owners since that date. In addition to that, you will find a recent online vehicle check noting no outstanding issues (finance/theft/tax/write-off/etc).

You will also find a range of invoices for parts, works and services present – these date back to 1989 – as well as a sheaf of expired MOT test certificates. 

A Montreal Register Europa printout listing all chassis numbers by production year is included, as are various communications between previous owner David Eaton and the secretary of the Alfa Romeo Owners Club – Montreal. 

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos to support our claim that this Alfa Romeo Montreal has a nice history from its time in the UK and has been maintained to an excellent standard.

This is a wonderfully original example of Alfa Romeo’s junior super car. It remains in very nice condition, particularly underneath where there is no evidence of it ever having seen a welder’s torch – no mean feat for a Seventies Alfa!

Prospective bidders can also take full confidence from the fact that the Montreal underwent a comprehensive re-commissioning in June 2023, with the considerable sum of £13,026.62 spent getting the car back to a fully roadworthy condition. 

The next owner could easily decide to smarten up its exterior with a full re-spray. However, equally, it could be used as is, presenting in the same honest fashion in which the current vendor has enjoyed it. 

Either way, this Black Montreal offers a visually imposing presence allied to that exotic, race-derived V8 driving experience. It’s doubtful you will ever see another on the road and this Marcello Gandini-penned delight will always be welcome at a whole range of classic car shows, rallies and gatherings. 

It’s quite a car. 

We are happy to offer this vehicle for auction with an estimate in the range of £55,000 - £65,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located with the vendor in Wandsworth, London. Viewings are strictly by appointment.  To make a booking, 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, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.