Alfa Romeo Montreal: The Forgotten Italian Supercar
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Some cars are beautiful. Some are fast. Some are rare. The Alfa Romeo Montreal manages all three at once, and does it wearing one of the most dramatic suits ever stitched in coachwork. Built in modest numbers across just five years, it remains one of the great forgotten supercars, a machine that should be spoken of alongside the Miura and the Dino but somehow never quite is. That is the Montreal's tragedy and its charm.
Origins and History
The Montreal began life as a show car. Alfa Romeo commissioned Bertone to create a concept for the 1967 World Exposition in Montreal, Canada, from which the car takes its name. The brief was simple: create something spectacular. Bertone did exactly that.
The reaction at Expo 67 was overwhelming. Alfa took the hint. A production version was developed using the platform of the Giulia GT, and by 1970 the Montreal was in showrooms. It remained in production until 1977, with just over 3,900 examples built. Not many, even by the standards of the era.
Context matters here. This was the same Alfa Romeo that was producing the 33 Stradale, arguably the most beautiful road car ever made. The Montreal sat just below it in the hierarchy, more attainable but no less ambitious in intent.
The Design
Marcello Gandini at Bertone styled the Montreal, and the result is a masterclass in controlled drama. The proportions are long and low, the nose pressed close to the ground, the roofline raking back in a clean arc. Every line feels deliberate.
The signature detail is the louvred headlight covers, six slats per side that give the car a slightly sinister, hooded expression. Combined with the NACA ducts behind the front wheels and the deep chin spoiler, the Montreal looks purposeful even standing still.
The tail is equally considered. A short, blunt boot, subtle ducktail spoiler, and four round tail lights arranged in a square. It is the kind of design that rewards sustained attention. The more you look, the more you find.
Performance and Driving
Under the bonnet sits a 2.6-litre V8, derived directly from the engine used in the Tipo 33 racing car. Alfa detuned it for road use, naturally, fitting SPICA mechanical fuel injection and dropping power to around 200bhp. It may sound modest today, but in 1970 it was proper territory.
The V8 revs keenly and sounds extraordinary, a hard, metallic bark through the twin exhausts that builds to a howl near the red line. Top speed was quoted at 220km/h, with 0-100km/h in around 7.1 seconds. The five-speed ZF gearbox is precise and positive, a delight to use.
The handling is very much of its era. The Giulia-based suspension means there is body roll, some understeer when you push, and the steering weights up nicely on a winding road. Drive it hard and it is entirely engaging. Drive it gently and the engine's character carries the experience.
Cultural Impact
The Montreal never went racing in any serious factory programme, which is part of why it sits outside the usual canon of celebrated Italian performance cars. No Le Mans history, no championship wins to hang the legacy on. What it has instead is presence.
In period, it appeared on posters in bedrooms across Europe. It showed up in films and advertising, always playing the role of the unobtainable dream. Jean-Paul Belmondo owned one. So did a generation of well-heeled Europeans who wanted something beyond a Ferrari but outside the supercar mainstream.
Its absence from the motorsport record books means it has never been overhyped or overpriced in the way of some contemporaries. The Montreal retains an honesty that collectors increasingly value.
Buying an Alfa Romeo Montreal Today
Values have risen considerably over the past decade but the Montreal remains accessible by Italian supercar standards. Clean, well-documented examples change hands in the region of 80,000 to 130,000 euros, with exceptional cars pushing higher. Unrestored barn finds still surface occasionally at considerably less.
The SPICA injection system is the main concern on any inspection. It is a complex mechanical unit that requires specialist knowledge to tune correctly. When it is set up well, the engine runs beautifully. When it is neglected, driveability suffers and fuel consumption climbs. Always check it has been properly serviced.
Rust is the other enemy. Sills, floor pans, and the rear wheel arches are the areas to inspect closely on any candidate. A full body-off restoration is a serious undertaking and the costs can quickly exceed the car's value if rust has taken hold beneath the surface. Find the best example you can from the start.
The Montreal community is passionate and well organised. Clubs exist in most European countries and parts availability has improved markedly in recent years, with specialists now manufacturing many items that were previously unobtainable. Ownership is more practical today than at any point since the 1980s.
Shop Alfa Romeo Montreal Art at KK Automotive Art
We celebrate the cars that deserve more recognition, and the Montreal sits firmly on that list. If you love the design and the story, our British-designed artwork brings it to life on the things you use every day.
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