When it comes to 1970s Italian sports cars, the Lamborghini Miura and Ferrari Dino get all the attention. And rightfully so. Ferrari and Lamborghini were responsible for some of the most beautiful cars of the era. But don't forget about the Alfa Romeo Montreal.
The Montreal was arguably one of the most underrated Italian sports cars of the 1970s based on looks alone. It was sculpted by iconic designer Marcello Gandini while working at Bertone, who, ironically, also created the Miura just a year earlier. The Montreal debuted in 1970, but it wasn't nearly as well-received as its counterparts. Production lasted just seven years, and collectors haven't thought much of it since.
These days, you can buy a drivable Alfa Romeo Montreal for a reasonable $60,000. Compare that to the Miura and Dino, which regularly go for six or seven figures at auction, and the Alfa is an absolute steal by comparison.
This particular one is an interesting example. Hidden away in a garage in Astoria, Oregon, it meets our definition of a "barn find"—or a "garage find" if you want to be more specific. It’s a 1972 model with a rebuilt twin-cam V-8 and a five-speed manual. When new, the Montreal’s 2.0-liter engine made 200 horsepower.
That’s not to say it’s perfect, though. The wheels are aftermarket, there’s some obvious paint and body damage, and the original interior could probably use a deep clean—although, the cabin is still in surprisingly good shape.
The seller is asking $60,000 on Craigslist, and the car is fully drivable. Even at that price, though, it’s a screaming deal. Still, you will need to source the original wheels and spend some money on bodywork. So, hopefully the seller is willing to knock a few bucks off the final asking price.
Either way, it’s a beautiful and oft-forgotten piece of Italian motoring history.
Source: Craigslist via BarnFinds
