One to Buy: Ground-up Restored Verde 1972 Alfa Romeo Montreal
Launched in production-ready form at the Geneva Salon in March 1970, the Alfa Romeo Montreal perhaps most famously combined an advanced fuel-injected Tipo 33-derived V8 engine with stunning show car looks.
The Montreal’s gorgeous body was the work of Marcello Gandini, head of design over at Bertone. Under Gandini’s stewardship, Bertone styling reflected the zeitgeist of automotive design language from the late 1960s to the mid 1970s as gentle curves evolved into the radical straight lines of the wedge era.
In the midst of this romantic period, the Montreal emerged as arguably the most exciting series production Alfa Romeo for approaching 20 years.
Although the early 1970s was a period of general economic malaise, Alfa Romeo nevertheless managed to shift a little under 4000 examples of the Montreal. With a top speed approaching 140mph and 0-62mph time of around seven seconds, it had performance to match its sensational appearance and Alfa Romeo must have been suitably happy with the manner in which it sprinkled a little stardust on dealer showrooms.
Thanks to Gandini’s work, Montreals look great in absolutely every colourway, but one of our favourite combinations here at Supercar Nostalgia is Verde with Havana Beige upholstery, an example of which is currently on offer at the Rock N Roll Classics showroom in Varsenare, Belgium.
A matching numbers car from 1972 with just under 100,000km on the odometer, this particular Montreal has reputedly undergone a ground-up restoration which has resulted in what surely be one of the best examples available.
Reprinted below is Rock N Roll Classics’ description:
Matching numbers & colors
Nuts & bolts restored
Only 3,900 made
In 1967, Alfa Romeo was chosen to present a car at the Montreal World's Fair that represented modern man's "highest aspirations in the automotive field".
The 29-year-old Marcello Gandini designed an elegant, low and streamlined coupé in Bertone's workshop. The design was special for its low radiator grille and deeply sloping bonnet that half-hid the headlights behind the distinctive slatted eyelids, an innovative solution that improved the car's aerodynamic profile.
The public was immediately impressed and Alfa Romeo decided to put the model into production. In 1970, the Montreal entered the market as a luxury sports car that competed with the Porsche 911 and the BMW 3.0 CS.
Our 1972 Alfa Romeo Montreal has undergone an extensive nuts and bolts restoration. Every part of the car has been carefully dismantled, inspected, cleaned and repaired or replaced where necessary. The result is a car that is in absolute top condition and looks and drives just as it did when it first rolled off the production line.
The Verde Medio body colour has been expertly reapplied according to the rules of art. This has resulted in a beautiful, glossy finish that really shows off the lines and shapes of this iconic Italian sports car. The bright green combines perfectly with the pale interior to create a harmonious whole.
With its powerful 2.6-litre V8 engine, you have enough power to dominate the roads. When you press the accelerator, the genuine Alfa Romeo V8 sound is music to your ears. Experience the thrill of getting behind the wheel of this beautiful Alfa Romeo Montreal on a lovely sunny Sunday drive. You immediately feel at home in the elegant and bright interior. The sound of the powerful V8 engine will make your heart beat faster as you smoothly tear through the curves. It's like stepping into a time capsule and travelling back to the heyday of Italian sports cars.
