There are a handful of classic cars that seem to define trends in the larger vintage vehicle market. For instance, most every vintage Alfa Romeo is a highly sought-after vehicle, owing to the brand’s racing lineage and ability to build achingly beautiful machines. However, if you want to talk about a bargain, the Alfa Romeo Montreal seems to be hovering in a space where it hasn’t exploded in value like other models. You can still pick up a driver-grade example in the high $50K to low $60K price range, and this example here on craigslist slides right into that bracket with a rebuilt quad-cam, dry sump V8 and an asking price of $60,000.
I’ve always loved the styling of the Montreal. There’s not much else out there like it, from the front to the back. Like almost every car designed by Bertone, you’ll never forget the styling and you won’t mistake it for any other styling house. The profile is that of a competition car, and the headlights – in my opinion – have never been replicated. The seller’s car sports some larger wheels that bear Alfa Romeo center caps, and I can’t tell if the wheels from a modern-day model. However, they don’t look the part, and replacing them with OEM-correct wheels would be among the first changes I’d make.
The Montreal was often derided for its ride quality when new, and while this is a subjective experience that is directly impacted by the driver’s assessment of how a car should behave, it can absolutely limit a car’s future potential. If a car isn’t a true sports car and more of a grand tourer, people expect comfort. The Montreal wasn’t intended to be a sports car, and yet it had to compete against models that did a better job of blending sport and comfort. In addition, the Montreal was expensive. It wasn’t that far off from the Ferrari Dino 246 GT price-wise, and although it was cheaper than the BMW E9 coupe, the E9 was also a better car from a balance standpoint with more approachable styling. Needless to say, sales were not brisk and fewer than 4,000 were sold.
The 2.0-litre quad-cam dry-sump V8 was based on the same engine used in the T33 competition car, but clearly de-tuned to live in a street car. Although it makes “only” 200 b.h.p., it still offers a brisk run to 60 and a top speed of almost 140 miles per hour. The bodywork on this Montreal will hold it back as there are actual holes in the body as seen above, along with bubbling down along the edges of the doors and quarter panel on the passenger side. Although the price isn’t out of line, it seems likely that the final dollar should be in the low to mid 50s, as some budget will need to be allocated to future bodywork.
Great price!! To me they look like a mini Miura. Not the best photos to sell a car.
Needs to lean into the name with a period-correct CHOM Radio novelty front plate and Parc Safari bumper sticker.
Go to the 9 pictures on the Craigslist ad and all you see is rust, all for 60K. These are beautiful cars but the rust on this one really takes the shine off of them.
Whilst the rust is clearly a major issue, the things not shown are a bigger concern. The water pumps on these cars are driven by the timing chain, with a weak bearing on the engine side. They are a PITA to replace and will do serious damage if not replaced in time. Not simple engines, SPICA fuel injection, and potential steering issues when the mounting tabs break off the stearing mechanism. This car needs a heck of a lot – and will leave a buyer underwater pretty quickly unless they do their own work. I’d say a sub-40K car.
If you are going to paint it, the rust should be an easy fix.
The shown quarter panel and door rust is easy for me and the guy you have to hire for $200 an hour.
Would be a great candidate for a BAT auction, with a $50k reserve. This format would encourage many more detailed photos and attract the Alfa experts and Montreal owners, (past & present) to provide real-world comments, advice and current-market bids.
Great article by a great automotive writer who owned a Montreal
https://www.hemmings.com/stories/cars-ive-loved-and-hated-michael-lamms-unauthorized-auto-biography-chapter-14-alfa-romeo-montreal/
The lines hold it back…not a “good-looking” car. Some cars just look awkward and, unfortunately, this is one of them.
Located in Astoria, OR
Rust never sleeps.
Here is an excellent video on the driving experience.
The Alfa Romeo Montreal – the supercar named after a Canadian city | E2E E01
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHcUFGAmYW0
Those wheels have to go. And the paint doesn’t match. This beautiful car needs TLC but right now it’s a beater
OK; it’s 2.6 L, not 2.0, and not as closely related to the Tipo 33 as most people think. (Conceptually it’s more like 2x Alfa fours on a common bottom end, e.g. only one spark plug per cylinder, and similar bore/stroke dimensions IIRC.) Pretty sure it’s also a wet sump—at least the marinized version I was looking at two days ago was.