1972 Alfa Romeo Montreal

The Alfa Romeo Montreal remains today one of the most exotic and interesting Alfa Romeos ever built. Powered by a detuned version of the astonishing quad-cam fuel-injected, dry sump V8 of the legendary Tipo 33 racer, the Montreal featured a 5-speed ZF transmission, disc brakes all around, and a chassis derived from the venerable 105-series Alfa. Originally developed and featured at the Montreal Expo in 1967, the stylish Marcello Gandini design was both striking and aerodynamic, featuring many ideas that would inspire future sports cars. Expensive when new and constructed with great care using time-consuming hand labor, just 3925 Montreals were constructed during the seven year production run from 1970 to 1977. The Montreal deeply impressed contemporary press, who cited sophisticated mechanicals, impressive roadholding, and advanced styling, all of which distinguish the car as a desirable and collectible Italian thoroughbred. Although the Montreal was never imported to North America, the combination of sophisticated mechanicals, striking aesthetics, and performance means that they have found as enthusiastic a following here as any Italian sports car.