1972 Alfa Romeo Montreal by Bertone

For sale by auction on Saturday 06 June 2015 with Historics at Brooklands. Brooklands Motor Racing Circuit. Weybridge. Surrey. Call 01753 639170
It is important to understand how the Alfa Romeo Montreal came
about as its design and power plant are was something to behold.
Montreal. Canada. the setting for the 1967 World's Fair; the
International and Universal Exposition or 'Expo 67' as it was
known. Alfa Romeo was asked to provide an exhibit that would be
representative of the automotive industry. The result was a
fabulous prototype designed by Marcello Gandini of the Bertone
styling house and named Montreal in honour of the event. The 105
series chassis and components were used as a basis. designed with
ease of future production in mind. When the first production model
was revealed in 1970 the styling was virtually identical to the
World's Fair prototype but the biggest surprise was the power plant
under the bonnet. Alfa Romeo used a detuned Type 33 racing car's V8
engine of 2. 93cc capacity which produced over 200bhp. Regrettably. br/>the Type 33 six-speed transmission and transaxle were not used. br/>however; a ZF gearbox five-speed gearbox and modified 105 series
rear axle were incorporated to good effect.

This lefthand drive Montreal was spotted for sale in Renens. br/>Lausanne. Switzerland on the drive of a private residence by a John
Hartland. a classic car dealer. John immediately stopped and after
a detailed negotiated. a deal was agree and he promptly drove her
back to UK. She ran perfectly on the return journey and was first
registered in the UK on 26th May. 1989.
The intention was always to sell the car on and it was advertised
in Motorsport Magazine which is where the next owner. David Eaton. br/>spotted her. David had recently bought an Espada which needed a
partial restoration and engine rebuild. but he wanted a car to use
while he rebuilt it. He had always liked the Montreal's excessive
Italian styling and they also came with that fabulous race bred 2. 6
litre. quad-cam. V8. David had watched the Alfa 33 spiders win at
Brands Hatch in 1971 and was aware that the Montreal's engine was a
detuned version of this.

So over to Surrey he went and after one walk around the car. br/>decided to buy. That was the 30th June 1989 and he has owned this
car ever since. It was used regularly between 1989 and 1996 until. br/>that is. the Espada was back on the road. At the first MoT test in
1989. she had 77. 11km recorded which rose to 86. 51km on 12th
October. 1998 and. as of April 28th. 2015. the mileage is now ony
88. 37km which translates to just 2. 00km added in the last 17
years. She was rolled out several times in the year to keep
everything in running order and. of course. (apart from a couple of
times) off to the annual MoT testing station.

One of the first things that did need attention back in 1989 was
the fuel tank as it was showing signs of porosity and these were
virtually impossible to locate. even in Italy. So a local company
in Essex. Hayward and Scott. were commissioned to manufacture an
aluminium one. With the complex Spicer mechanical injection system. br/>no chances can be taken. Also at the time of purchase. she had a
plastic rear screen. Again finding a rear screen for a Montreal in
1989 was very difficult but the long-time secretary of the Montreal
registry. Chris Slade. managed to find one in Italy which he
brought back. Over the years. all the brakes have been rebuilt. new
clutch fitted. wheels refurbished and. recently. new tyres. Prior
to the purchase and registration in the UK. nothing is known of the
history apart from the name and address on the log book. The
chassis is completely rust-free and has never had any welding since
arriving in the UK and looks completely original underneath.
It has a full years MoT test certificate and benefits from all new
lower ball joints and front brake hoses. She is reported to
run well and represents an honest. solid and regularly used
example. a proper driver's car.

Also published at eBay.co.uk

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