Alfa Romeo Montreal

Alfa Romeo Montreal
Manufacturer:	Alfa Romeo
Production:	1970–1977
Body Styles:	FR coupe
Weight:	1270kg
Number built:	3917
Engine Capacity:	2593cc V8
Engine Config:	V8 DOHC
Engine Bore/Stroke:	80mmx65mm
Enging Power:	200bhp@6500
Transmission	ZF 5-speed manual
Wheelbase	2.35 m
Length	4.22 m
Width	1.672 m
Height	1.205 m
Ground clearance
Weight	1270 kg
Top speed
fuel capacity	62.5 L
Top Speed	132mph
Designer	Marcello Gandini at Bertone

Side profile of Montreal

The Alfa Romeo Montreal is a 2+2 coupé automobile produced by the Italian manufacturer Alfa Romeo from 1970 to 1977.

Concept car

The Alfa Romeo Montreal was introduced as a concept car in 1967 at Expo 67, held in Montreal, Canada. Originally, the concept cars were displayed without any model name, but the public took to calling it The Montreal. It was a 2+2 coupe using the 1600 cc engine of the Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti and the chassis of the Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GT, with a body designed by Marcello Gandini at Bertone. One of the two concept cars built for Expo 67 is displayed in the Alfa Romeo Historical Museum in Arese, Italy, while the other is in museum storage.

Production version

Alfa Romeo Montreal C pillar

The first production car, Tipo 10564, was shown at the 1970 Geneva Motor Show and was quite different from the original, using a 2593 cc 90° dry-sump lubricated V8 engine with SPICA (Società Pompe Iniezione Cassani & Affini) fuel injection that produced around 200 PS, coupled to a five-speed ZF gearbox and a limited-slip differential. This engine was derived from the 2-litre V8 used in the 33 Stradale and in the Tipo 33 sports prototype racer. The chassis and running gear of the production Montreal were taken from the Giulia GTV coupé and comprised double wishbone suspension with coil springs and dampers at the front and a live axle with limited slip differential at the rear.

Since the concept car was already unofficially known as The Montreal, Alfa Romeo kept the model name in production.

Stylistically, the most eye catching feature is the car's front end with four headlamps partly covered by unusual "grilles", that retract when the lights are switched on. Another stylistic element is the NACA duct on the bonnet. The duct is actually blocked off since its purpose is not to draw air into the engine, but to optically hide the power bulge. The slats behind the doors contain the cabin vents, but apart from that only serve cosmetic purposes.

Production

Production was split between the Alfa Romeo plant in Arese and Carrozzeria Bertone's plants in Caselle and Grugliasco outside Turin. Alfa Romeo produced the chassis sans engine or mechanicals and sent it to Caselle where Bertone fitted the body. After body fitment, the car was sent to Grugliasco to be degreased, partly zinc coated, manually spray painted and have the interior fitted. Finally, the car was returned to Arese to have the engine and mechanicals installed. It is worth noting that because of this production method, there is not necessarily any correspondence between chassis number, engine number and production date.

The Montreal remained generally unchanged until it was discontinued in 1977. By then, production had long ceased already as Alfa were struggling to sell their remaining stock. Total number built was 3917; none of them were sold in Montreal, Quebec since Alfa did not develop a North American version to meet the US/Canadian emission control requirements. A Montreal can be seen in 1974 The Marseille Contract movie where Michael Caine drives a metallic dark brown example.

Performance and specifications

Montreal engine

• Engine: 2593 cc quad-cam 90° V8
• Top speed: 220 km/h
• 0-100 km/h (62 mph): 7.4 seconds
  • (measured top speed 224 km/h, 7.1 seconds 0-100 km/h (62 mph) by Quattroruote magazine)
• Standing quarter mile: 15.1 seconds
• Standing km: 27.6 seconds
• Power: 200 PS (230 bhp SAE) at 6500 rpm
• Torque: 235 Nm(24 m·kgf) at 4750 rpm

Gallery

1972 Alfa Romeo Montreal

• 1972 Alfa Romeo Montreal 1.jpg
• 1972 Alfa Romeo Montreal 2.jpg
• 1972 Alfa Romeo Montreal 3.jpg
• 1972 Alfa Romeo Montreal 4.jpg
• 1972 Alfa Romeo Montreal 5.jpg
• 1972 Alfa Romeo Montreal 8.jpg
• 1972 Alfa Romeo Montreal 9.jpg
• 1972 Alfa Romeo Montreal 10.jpg

Video

How the lights work...

Trivia

• Michael Caine drives a metallic dark brown Montreal in the 1974 movie The Marseille Contract
• One of the two prototypes built for Expo 67 remains in Museo Storico Alfa Romeo in Arese, Italy.

External links

• The Alfa Romeo Montreal Website
• Alfa Romeo Montreal Video
• The Montreal: [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6]

Bertone Designs

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