Alfa Romeo Montreal, 1971

Location: Santa Monica, California

$125,000 - $175,000 USD | Not Sold

One of the most exciting moments during the 1967 Expo World's Fair in Montreal, Canada, was the unveiling of a new custom-built coupe designed and named for the exhibition, from the respected Italian car maker, Alfa Romeo. Giorgio Giugiardo, one of the world's leading industrial designers, styled this sleek and streamlined coupe, which was executed in metal by Bertone. Alfa Romeo wasn’t planning on making a production model, until they received a swell of positive feedback, and demand for the model took off. Thus, in 1970 they released a production model of the gorgeous coupe.

Superlatives rolled in from around the world when the production model hit the road. Phrases like a "racing engine in an evening gown" and "a true work of art" have been used to describe the car. From its functional air inlets located in the pillars behind the doors to the unique concealed headlight arrangement behind movable slats, a perfect wedding of form and function was achieved with this car. Fit and finish of the Montreal was rated superior in all areas due to the state of the shops Bertone had set up. As a result, the market for these cars has recently exploded and several examples have sold well into six-figure ranges within the year-and-a-half.

This striking Alfa Romeo Montreal presented here is understood to have resided in Europe for the first two decades of its life. It then changed domicile to its second owner in the Alfa Club of Portland prior to being acquired by the current Southern California enthusiast owner. Since then he has proceeded to see that the car has been sorted to as perfect mechanical specifications as possible. The engine bay is tidy and complete and it has just received a recent service performed at a local shop in Los Angeles specializing in the marque. Finished in striking red paintwork and fitted with black interior, it is an extremely original car that has only 62,403 original miles.

Having been expertly maintained throughout its life, much of the car’s interior, such as the dash, seats and door panels appear to be original. An Auctions America specialist has driven the car and reports that it runs and drives beautifully and is sorted mechanically and operates as one would expect from a car that has likely never been apart. The power is very strong and it is fitted with the original five-speed ZF transmission that shifts smoothly through all the gears. For a European car, it almost has a ‘musclecar’ feel and the power steering lends itself to be light and nimble while still fast on the straights.

The sound from the V-8 engine is terrific and the torque at low RPM’s makes city driving very enjoyable as well. Certainly a driver’s car, this Alfa will fill its next caring owner’s heart with Alfista pride.

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