Someone please give this Alfa Montreal the love it deserves

Back in 1967, Alfa Romeo unveiled a gorgeous Marcello Gandini-designed 2+2 concept car at an event known as Expo 67 in Montreal, Canada.

The concept had no name, and so the public took to calling it ‘The Montreal’ after the city where it was first seen. Fast forward three years to the 1970 Geneva Motor Show and a production version was revealed with that very same moniker. The engine had grown considerably from the concept’s 1.6-litre tiddler, though – it was now a lovely 2.6-litre V8. 

Stunning isn’t it? Even if the one above is looking a little worse for wear. Although, you’d be considering that layer of dust to be good news if you were a prospective buyer, as this very car is heading to auction with an estimate of between £22,000 and £26,000.

It’s a 1976 example and is one of only 155 that were shipped to the UK in right-hand drive. Don’t worry, it hasn’t been sat on that factory floor its whole life either. The current owner picked it up with 4,000 miles on the clock back in 1977. He then managed to put over 40,000 more miles on the thing before parking it up in its current spot around 15 years ago. Apparently he loved it too much to part with it.

Under the grime is fantastic Arancio Pastello paint, and the Nero interior has some glorious touches – just check out those dials. The quad-cam V8 is connected to a five-speed dogleg manual gearbox, too – everyone loves a dogleg.

The Montreal will go under the hammer at Silverstone Auction’s NEC sale in early November. Somebody save the poor thing!

Images: Silverstone Auctions