1973 Alfa Romeo Montreal

Alfa Romeo was selected to create a conceptual exhibit of man's aspiration for the automobile and to present their creation in 1967 at the International and Universal Exposition (Expo 67), held in Montreal, Canada. Sixty-two nations participated in this 'World's Fair,' and it held the distinction of attracting the most attendees to that date and set a single-day attendance record for a world's fair. The prevailing theme of the exhibition was 'Man and His World.'

Alfa Romeo's contribution to Expo 67 was a pair of 2+2 coupe sports cars that were displayed without a name, but the public soon called it the 'Montreal.' When production began in 1970, it did so under the 'Montreal' moniker.

The Concept

The Alfa Romeo Expo 67 Concept Car used the short wheelbase chassis of the Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GT and the 1.6-liter engine of the Alfa Romeo Giulia TI. Bertone was tasked with creating the design and coachwork, with the project spearheaded by Marcelo Gandini, the young designer who had penned the Lamborghini Miura. Several of the design cues that had made the Miura so successful were incorporated into the two concept cars, with a low overall stance, gentle curves, a wide, shark-like nose, and a truncated tail. Futuristic elements included the stacked horizontal vents on the C-pillar and headlight 'blinds.'

From Concept to Production : The Alfa Romeo Montreal

The enthusiastic reception from the Expo 67 prompted Alfa Romeo to put the unnamed concept into production. The overall stance of the production version would follow a similar footprint to the concept, including the use of the 105 series chassis, but its mechanical specification was very different, along with several noticeable changes to the exterior. Production began in 1970 and would continue through 1977, with approximately 3,925 examples built (possibly 3,917 units). Ironically, the Montreal did not comply with North American emission control requirements, which meant it was never sold in the United States and Canada. With an initial price in the U.K. of £5,077, the Montreal was more expensive than the Porsche 911 and the Jaguar E-Type. By mid-1976, the cost had risen to £6,999.

The first production example, Tipo 105.64, was put on display in 1970 at the Geneva Motor Show. The Alfa Romeo plant in Arese handled the production of the chassis, engine, and mechanical components, while Carrozzeria Bertone's plants in Caselle handled the body fitment. From there, the car was sent to Grugliasco outside Turin, where the interior was fitted, and prepared to be sold. Additional tasks included degreasing, zinc coating, and manually spaying the exterior. Upon completion, the car returned to Arese where its engine and remaining mechanical components were installed.

Mechanical Specifcation

The Expot 67 concepts were equipped with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, while the production versions fully embraced the supercar motif, with power from a V8 engine. A 'civilized' version of the T33 sports prototype's four-cam V8 displaced 2,593cc with a bore of 80mm and a stroke of 64.5mm. The dry-sump lubricated, 90-degree, cross-plane engine used electronic ignition and SPICA (Società Pompe Iniezione Cassani & Affini) fuel injection and developed 200 PS (197 hp). Designed with the classic endurance races in mind, this unit had started life in 2.0-liter form back in 1967, later growing to 2.5-liters when used for the Australia/New Zealand Tasman Series, and 3.0-liter capacity for Formula 1 competition by McLaren. The factory-backed Autodelta team campaigning the 2.0-liter T33s was very successful in international sports car racing, earning many class victories.

The first road-going Alfa Romeo to use a V8 engine was the limited-edition T33 Stradale of 1967. It used the original 2.0-liter configuration while the Montreal had the larger 2.6-liter displacement. The front-mounted engine powered the rear wheels via a ZF five-speed gearbox (regrettably, the Type 33 six-speed transmission and transaxle were not used). Running gear sourced from the contemporary Giulia 1750 GTV included the independent front suspension and a modified 105 series rear axle plus disc brakes all round. Double wishbones and coil springs were at the front while the rear had a live axle with a limited-slip differential.

A small number of Alfa Romeo Montreal's were equipped with the 3.0-liter engine.

The Alfa Romeo Montreal had a 92.5-inch wheelbase, was 166.1 inches long, stood 47.4 inches tall, and was 65.8 inches wide.

The Design

The essentially handmade Montreal retained several of the signature design elements of the concept, including the louvered headlight covers and the six horizontal strips at the B-pillar. The four headlamps were partly covered when not in use and retracted when the lights were used. The NACA duct on the bonnet was non-functional and blocked off, with its purpose of concealing the power bulge. Like the NACA duct, the slats behind the doors primarily served cosmetic purposes but did contain the cabin vents. The sleek aerodynamic body style was a tribute to the company's race history. Throughout its production lifespan, the Montreal remained generally unchanged.

by Dan Vaughan

FastBack Coupe
Chassis number: AR 1426330
Engine number: AR00564 02373

Alfa Romeo was invited to the 1967 World Expo in Montreal to submit a car intended to embody 'man's highest aspiration for automobiles.' Marcello Gandini from Bertone was entrusted to pen the car's exterior. Gandini gave the car a wide and low-slung wedge design that was eventually built in two prototypes and powered by four-cylinder engines. The car was based on Alfa Romeo's 105 series chassis and given the name 'Montreal.'

The production Montreal was given a four-cam V-8 engine that had much success in the Tipo 33 prototype race car and the rare 33 Stradale. With this engine, the Montreal was capable of achieving a top speed of 136 mph.

Production lasted six years with total output reaching 3,925 examples. These cars were built for Europe only, with perhaps just 100 of these eventually coming to the United States.

Chassis Number AR 1426330

This Alfa Romeo Montreal was sold new in Italy on January 10th of 1973, and seven years later was imported to the United States by a Los Angeles-based owner. It is believed to have lived much of its life in dry climates. It came from the factory with air-conditioning, a rare option that was installed on perhaps just 25% of the Montreals.

In August of 2003 it was discovered by its current owner. At the time it wore its original paint. The car was treated to a ground-up restoration which included new upholstery, restored stainless brightwork, and a repaint in white. The engine was given renewed valves, piston rings, bearings, and resealed along with the transmission and differential. The brake system was rebuilt with new hard lines and hoses as was the fuel system, and suspension components were re-bushed and powder coated. The restoration was completed in June of 2013.

by Dan Vaughan

FastBack Coupe
Chassis number: AR1426328
Engine number: AR00564.S0007

This 1973 Alfa Romeo Montreal is powered by a 2,593cc, dual overhead camshaft V-8 engine with Spica Mechanical fuel injection and delivering 200 horsepower at 6,500 RPM. There is a five-speed ZF manual gearbox, disc brakes, and a live rear axle.

The Alfa Romeo Montreal was never officially sold in North America when new, with approximately 3,925 examples built from 1970 to 1977.

This particular Alfa Romeo is finished in Rosso (Red) over a Nero (Black) vinyl and cloth interior. Fitted with factory air-conditioning, the Montreal was sold new in Palermo, Italy, on September 19, 1973. The car would pass through a succession of Italian owners, and in December 2016, it was sold by Aquarama Cars & Boats of Perugia, Italy to Florida-based collector Leo Schigiel.

by Dan Vaughan

Alfa Romeo's latest rock star, the overwhelmingly charismatic 8C, seemed to come out of the blue. While Alfa has always been known for building passionate vehicles that were first rolling works of art and second devices of transportation, their recent model line-up has consisted primarily of rather tame, front-wheel-drive cars for those looking to try out something other than a BMW. The introduction of this new exotic, though, is no break from tradition. Nearly 40 years ago, Alfa Romeo did the exact same thing with their potent Montreal.

Introduced for 1970 after appearing as a prototype in 1967, the Alfa Montreal was a technological flagship. It was innovative, impressive, and expensive. While Alfa's pre-war offerings had often been built to the standards of those three words just mentioned, the company's model line consisted of decidedly tamer cars when the Montreal arrived on the scene. Alfa's other sports cars of 1970 were the Spider and the GTV. Both were stylish, sleek, and athletic, but neither were as race-bred and uncompromising as the Montreal.

Predating the Montreal was Alfa's successful racecar, the Tipo 33/2. This model combined fantastic styling with excellent engineering. One of its key features was an easy-revving, small-displacement gem of a V8. A detuned version of the 33/2's brilliant engine was dropped into the front of Alfa's Montreal. This motor, with its tidy alloy construction and SPICA mechanical fuel injection, was far ahead of its time. It made 200hp out of just 2.6 liters, a very respectable specific output for a naturally aspirated car. Its high redline and small displacement made it one of the most lively powerhouses of its day.

Not all of the Montreal's mechanicals could match the standards of the car's 2.6-liter heart. The suspension, with a live rear axle and soft springs, let the car lean into corners too much for many enthusiasts. Its unassisted, recirculating ball steering required a slow ratio to be manageable at low speeds, so the car wasn't as agile as many contemporary sports cars. Harping over these shortcomings would be missing the point, though. The Montreal was a Grand Tourer. It was about style, and about the presence of arriving with a trumpeted V8 roar emanating from a voluptuous Italian form.

No analysis of an Alfa could ever be complete without some comments on its design. After all, Alfa Romeo has been working with prestigious designers, coachbuilders, and Italian carrozzeria almost since the company's inception.

Marcello Gandini, the innovative stylist who went on to pen the lines of the influential Lamborghini Countach, designed the Montreal while he was working at Bertone. Nuccio Bertone and the accomplished design house he established had a strong relationship with Alfa, and the choice to go with Bertone was a safe one. But safety aside, the Montreal's design was anything but conservative. The car featured radical details that separated it from its more pedestrian stable mates. Among these were headlight eyebrows that pivoted down only when needed to give the car a clean, menacing look with its headlights off, and a series of horizontal vents in the c-pillar that gave the illusion of a mid-engined car. These vents were, in reality, used for cabin ventilation.

The Montreal sparked new life into Alfa's production cars. Though Alfa had a history of producing drool-worthy driveway ornaments with a magnificent pedigree, the company hadn't put out any thoroughly dramatic automotive sculptures for quite some time. What the Montreal did for the company then is just what the 8C is doing now. These cars are spokespeople for Alfa Romeo, announcing to the world in perfect Italian: 'We've still got it.'

For more information on Alfa Romeo's striking Montreal, visit Bruce Taylor's comprehensive website at http://www.alfamontreal.info/.

by Evan Acuña

The Bertone-styled Alfa Romeo Montreal was unveiled as a 'styling exercise' at the 1967 Expo in Montreal. The response was phenomenal, which drove Alfa Romeo to quickly create the production version which was introduced in 1970. The vehicle featured a V8, similar to the one used in the Type 33, and a top speed in the neighborhood of 130 mph. The chassis was from the 1750 touring car. A five-speed manual gearbox and ventilated disc brakes were also used.

The way the vehicle's name was derived should be fairly obvious; after the location where it was initially introduced.

This was the fastest production vehicle Alfa had produced to date.

by Dan Vaughan