Lot 027: 1972 Alfa Romeo Montreal

Asked to produce a cutting edge automotive design for the 1967 Montreal Expo, Alfa Romeo enlisted the help of Carrozzeria Bertone. Penned by Marcello Gandini, the resultant show car caused a sensation and inspired Alfa Romeo to start work on a production version which debuted at the 1970 Geneva Salon. With its shark-nosed profile, NACA-style bonnet duct and vented B-posts, the newcomer had been eagerly awaited by the press and public alike. Perhaps inevitably it proved a disappointment for those anticipating a bona fide supercar rather than a competent grand tourer. While, the front-engined Montreal lacked the super sweet dynamic balance of the mid-engined Ferrari Dino, its all-round coil-sprung suspension (independent double-wishbone front / 'live' trailing arm rear) and ventilated disc brakes helped ensure decent roadholding and handling. Powered by a dry-sump 2593cc 'quad-cam' fuel-injected V8 derived from Alfa Romeo's successful Tipo 33/2 sports racers, the model also boasted a ZF five-speed manual gearbox and limited slip differential. With a quoted 200bhp and 173lbft of torque on tap, it was reputedly capable of 0-60mph in 7.5 seconds and 137mph. Marketed somewhat haphazardly between 1970 and 1977 just 3,925 Montreals are thought to have been made. Finished in red with black upholstery, this particular left-hand drive example is described by the vendor as being in "good overall" condition. Reportedly imported from Italy in 1977 and dismantled early the following decade, 'ULO707R' is further understood to have been the subject of much restoration between the late-1980s and mid-1990s including a new engine. However, we are informed that it was only "put back on the road in 2003 by the current owner who has extensively developed the car for reliable daily use and eliminated major unreliability issues". To this end, the Montreal has benefited from an uprated water pump / timing-chain shaft bearing, specially adapted ignition system (using Mopar V8 components), stainless steel exhaust, brake system overhaul (new front / rear callipers, hoses, master cylinder, skimmed discs), fresh clutch and new water hoses. Said to have covered just 7,000 miles on its modified powerplant and to have appeared in 'Classics' magazine, this striking and much underrated Alfa Romeo is offered for sale with "major Alfarama invoices (1990s)" and MOT certificate valid until October 2008.