Beautiful.. BUT Is it Really So Terrible To Drive? Alfa Romeo Montreal

[@70053morayfirth]

I would not care if it drove like a Lada. Opening my garage and seeing such a beautiful car would be enough. Thank you for an excellent review. At one time you could buy them for nothing.

[@Kulumuli]

I wouldn't have known about this car if it wasn't on every car play card in the 70's and 80's. I knew back then as a littlie boy that this was my type of car. And I liked the Maserati Khamsin just as much.

[@Schlipperschlopper]

sadly soon all gas cars will be forbidden in EU and USA!!!

[@bencezavarko7312]

​@@Schlipperschlopperno lol. They won't be

[@autoavids]

Epic styling and epic V8 sound that spoke to the soul. Others may be faster, but art doesn't need to be fast.

[@asensibleyoungman2978]

Cheesy cliches. It looked like a Cheverolet and it was badly engineered.

[@autoavids]

@@asensibleyoungman2978 nothing cheesy about it. It's a great looking/sounding car. Like many other Alfas it may not be engineered as something German or Japanese, but it has soul.

[@asensibleyoungman2978]

@@autoavids 'Soul' is just a cliche people use to cover up poorly designed and built cars.

[@autoavids]

Not a cliche, a connection, either you feel it or you don't.

[@asensibleyoungman2978]

@@autoavids Some people obviously misinterpret bad handling, poor performance and inadequate development as 'soul.' It's probably the engine sound. They can't separate a good sound from a poor car. To them (i.e you) if it sounds good, it must be good, so it has 'soul.'

[@danielesbordone1871]

My brother purchased one back in May , 1979 in Italy. Unfortunately it was totalled in an accident in August of the same year. It was a red 1971 model , the video is correct to point out some of the car's defects. The live axle at the back is just one of them , the Montreal was built on the old Giulia platform , totally inadequate for this vehicle. The engine is a true racing component , the displacement was increased from 2000cc. to 2600cc for driveability reasons and the horsepower was dropped from 240 to 200 hp. Whoever gets their hands on one of these cars should keep it because it's value will go up greatly.

[@davegarfinkel5251]

Having owned a bunch of ALFAs (currently 5) I can tell you that, notwithstanding the noted (for the most part accurate) negatives, the Montreal is a great car. Out of all my cars it brings the biggest smile to my face while driving and draws the most attention. Driving it is really a special experience. I think it is the fact it is so rare and unusual looking. When i'm driving it is common for people to take pics and video me. At car show people walk right by mclarens/ferraris/gt40's/etc. to gawk. Every time I get gas (it uses a lot...) people come up to ask about it. When I'm in my ferrari or porsche people ask "how's that mid-life crisis going??" In the montreal it's always "awesome car". With the Alfaholics suspension, as mine has, they handle well and are comfortable to drive for long distances. It's plenty fast, a great GT, if not sports car.

[@martinhogg5337]

A car that I would buy on looks alone, it is a piece of art even if is slightly disappointing to drive! Great review Jack!

[@r1madbrit]

I was 17 and went to the world's fair in Montreal from Toronto and I saw that car and fell in love with all Italian vehicles on the spot. I now live in UK and have a home in Italy near Bologna and I am STILL a fan of Italian motorcycles and cars...including the Lancia Fulvia which I first saw in England at about 20 years of age.Another love at first sight moment. Thanks for your excited love of cool cars. I do enjoy your infectious passion for cars!

[@rorymacve]

I had the pleasure of getting to sit in one of these recently at a car show, and to be honest, compared to other Italian sports cars of the era that I've sat in, the Lamborghini Silhouette, Miura, and the De Tomaso Pantera, this was surprisingly spacious and comfortable. I found it was even more enjoyable to sit in when compared to a Jaguar XJ-S, which felt like I was lying in a bed with the steering wheel cutting my knees off! The Montreal, for all its faults and underperformance commercially, is truly a unique thing of beauty, and I think its appeal for me is only added to by its rarity and lack of mainstream acknowledgement. To my mind the very definition of an underdog. 🙂 Also, that engine sound, woof! 😍

[@nicoroehr]

6:00 you are absolutely right. At least the rear axle was completely taken over from the Tipo 105, and it was its weak spot. 200 hp (in Italian spec) was too much for it, contemporary car magzine reviewers wrote.

[@Jay_Speed]

One of the most beautiful cars ever made. We had a customer in our petrol station who had one in orange and because of that I did see my first one in 1977. From that moment I always liked the Montreal.

[@neglectedloves]

I simply love watching your videos, they way you talk about cars is as eloquent and flowery as if a chef was talking about delicious food... 🙏🏻

[@jocelynhurtubise2420]

Great video. I confirm as a citizen of Montreal, the International and Universal Exposition of Montreal was held in 1967. I saw the Alfa Romeo Montreal at the Italian Exposition in 1967 I was 6 years old. The styling was amazing.

[@simonhodgetts6530]

A remarkable looking car - like a mini Miura. A pity it didn’t live up to the exotic looks! Great headlamp covers though, and what an amazing dash design. Thanks again Jack!

[@Kulumuli]

It's a shame Alfa hasn't tried to mimic this car in the later years. The Giulia is somewhat pretty. But if you took away the grill it could be any car. I think they played it too safe.

[@markriobr]

Was about to say the same in my words , it does look a lot like a L Miura

[@PrivateEyeYiYi]

A Miura with a front engined 200hp instead of mid mounted 375hp. Maybe it was a lot cheaper, otherwise why would anyone buy it over the Lambo?

[@markriobr]

@@PrivateEyeYiYi The guy said was a failure very few were sold . Now bet was a Pininfarina design and they look much alike , Miura is one if not the best car ever designed , had one big I mean huge problem . They would and fid went up in smoke very easy .

[@michaelx9079]

@@PrivateEyeYiYi you can fit a couple of kids in the Montreal

[@sirjosephwhitworth9415]

I remember seeing one in a dealer showroom in '72/73, impressive looking car, still is. Your comment about driving it today concurs with my general feeling for any old vehicle. All the fast cars of 50 year ago, are by today's standards not any longer cutting 'la moutarde'. Appreciate them for what they are now, survivors, and drive accordingly. This will get more appreciative comments and looks from people than a new Ferrari will.

[@Bob-of-Zoid]

If I saw it coming, I'd jump out in front of it and insist the owner give me a tour!

[@liamgross7217]

100% correct. I know what I’d rather own. Actually if I picked a year to select a garage full of cars from it would be 1967.

[@Bubbaburp]

13:11 not only the Italians - Aston lagondas has two horns, one for town and a louder horn for the country

[@71ala]

I disagree on the heading about the Montreal being a "flop". With 3900 units built of what was an extremely complex (for its time) race-derived V8 GT, built by a brand that was already a generalist and didn't have the aura of Maserati or Ferrari, this was a damn good result. In the same period, 1100 Maserati Indys and 2800 Ferrari 308 GT4 were built, and perhaps 10,000 Porsche 911 S Coupes. So 3900 was not so bad considering the 1973 fuel crisis killed its market!

[@mikkithetrailerguy7876]

I just bought an orange '72 Montreal last week. Thank you for the lovely video...and the extra knowledge.

[@lwprzybysz]

When I visited Modena several years ago I saw one being driven in the streets. It was metallic green and sounded awesome. I took a pretty bad picture of it as I just spotted it a few blocks away. But the sound and opportunity to see it running was the best thing ever. And seeing it there at home was fantastic

[@hamishinglis493]

Thank you for another excellent video, this seems a particularly fine and healthy Montreal. I worked with an Alfa Romeo dealership in Edinburgh for fifteen years at the time of the Montreal and got to know them quite well. I loved the looks with a Miura DNA in the styling. The car had its handling characteristics due to the suspension design shared with the 105 series; Alfa did not really have the funds or resources to do anything else at the time, a lot of the money went into the engine which was an absolute gem both to work on and use. I remember spraying WD40 on the cam covers and engine sump to protect them as they were made of magnesium. The Montreal is one of these cars which is about how the car makes you feel rather than how fast it is. I have a preference for front engined grand touring motor cars which endeared me to the Montreal and I developed a soft spot for them. I also had experience with the Porsche 928 and Ferrari’s 365GTB/4 Daytona which rubs me up the same way; there is also a certain Aston Martin V8 Vantage (7-litre by Richard Williams). Fond memories! Amanda has excellent taste.

[@stephenricketts7764]

Nice to hear from someone who has worked on these cars back in the day not just tinkered with them.👍

[@Number27]

Totally agree this is a car that’s about how it makes you feel rather than how fast it goes!!

[@hughoxford8735]

What dealership?

[@hamishinglis493]

@@hughoxford8735 Fishers Garage in Canning Street, long since closed.

[@jerryb63]

@@Number27 I think you’ve just summed up why so many of us love Alfas. It’s how they make you feel. I owned 3 in the 80s and drove many more of all sorts for a hire company at the time, loved them all, flaws and all - that’s part of the ‘character’ that Alfas have, mostly the engine at the heart of it. Never got to drive a Montreal though!😢 That’s a special car. Great to see so many Italian classics in your honest reviews.

[@rebeccajenson2164]

A car I've always loved since I was a little girl. When I saw it in a book called supercars of the 70s.

[@martinogold]

I had the same book.

[@oceanbeliever681]

I love that your show is about real cars for the average joe.

[@downesy68]

Great video Jack. Been looking forward to this one. The Montreal has been a dream car of mine since I was about 10 years old when I owned a book of dream cars and an orange Montreal just like this one was the car on the cover. Although I’ve never driven one, there are a number of them in my local Alfa Club so I get to see them quite regularly, including a beautiful orange one. They’re a special car for sure.

[@jonathanholley8043]

My girlfriend at the time , her father had one , never got to go out in it , but well remember my first look when he opened the garage door to show me , fabulous looking car.

[@macmakka8214]

The sound is very throaty if feel far more exotic that other Alfas , in 84 I test drove a Muira but it was $29,000 my budget was $7-8k , next a Montreal it was $11k with the owner refusing any negotiations, a glanced at a mint 911 E that was $13k But bought the Alfetta GTV for $7k , kinda wish I’d sold a Kidney & bought the Montreal. 20/20 hindsight is a wonderful skill .

[@dennisdose5697]

At the center of my Leno level fantasy car collection is a whole section devoted to my favorite designer, Marcello Gandini. Absolutely includes a Montreal.

[@paulriggers1558]

a lot of italian cars of that era had crap brakes, well, all the ones i drove certainly did, but they were about 7/8 years old by then. we are definitely spoiled these days, never drove a car with poor brakes for about 15yrs, but still drive plenty of poor cars. keep up the good work young man

[@robertobernardinis3778]

Jack I love your videos: the Montreal was 100% based on the Giulia chassis and, at the time of presentation at the World Fair, it was equipped with the standard 1.6 liter twin cam engine. The Canadian and North American dealers loved the look but asked for a larger engine and Alfa managed (we should say "forced the engineers") to fit the V8 (the only big engine they had) under the bonnet which, by the way, needed to be modified to accommodate the much larger engine. All in all the transplant was not successful because the weight distribution changed significantly, as you have noticed in your test drive. The Spica fuel injection system was also always problematic. Cheers from Italy

[@Dwelijan]

There's just a chap working on this car in his garage 200m from my house, same colour. Next time I see it, I will definitely take some time to walk around, cause it's just such a rare beast. So cool, it somehow sits price and character wise next to the first gen Mazda Cosmo in my book. Not massively overpowered, but pretty and from a brand you just wouldn't expect it. Good choice for the channel!

[@rustyturner431]

OK, Jack... Well, here is one car you've reviewed that I never owned. I lived in the states when these were current, and the Montreal was never certified for US sale. I did look at one that had by some Italian magic been documented as a 1967 model, so it could be imported and sold in the USA. As an Alfisti of some standing, I was delighted...until I drove it. Great engine, great gearbox, barely adequate brakes but the chassis just wasn't up to the other parts. And the interior wasn't up to the asking price (OK, it was cheap). Plus, I had my eye on a 4-headlight Ferrari 330 2+2 that was about the same money. Bought the 330 and kept it for 20+ years.

[@againstmainstream]

I own a Montreal and it is not heavy, it is really fast. But you must can drive....

[@HeinzBuchler-vg9dx]

Was never horrible to drive. Absolute standard for that time Unfortanly I sold mine, still regret

[@forestghost7]

I really regret selling mine as well 😢. I had # 10564 2001062, a 73 in AR 347 Blu Medio , 1983 - 91. I was totally familiar w the Spica injection and took MANY trouble free cross - USA trips. I only sold it so I could buy my 1st house, stupid move

[@arthurdardalis]

In my theoretical three car garage, the Montreal is in there!

[@ElectricUAM]

It was supposed to be a central position engine and Bertone was livid when Alfa decided against it at the end of the design phase. Most of my friends who have one have figured out the flaws and are more than very happy with it. Excellent video, as always!

[@twauster]

The Montreal was never planned or designed or tested with the engine behind the driver, as explained in books and articles by Alfa Romeo themselves as well as Gandini. The slats are there for purely aestethic purposes (they contain the cabin vents though) and wouldn't have worked very good as mid engine air intakes anyway. The "mid engine" myth comes from the motoring press during Expo '67 where two Montreals were on static display but couldn't be inspected up close. The two show cars had a 90hp 1600cc engine from a Giulia Super so they could move under their own power, and this engine was under the bonnet up front. Bertone was indeed livid when Alfa Romeo took it to production, but that was because they ruined its design to accommodate the relatively large, heavy and powerful V8. The prototype/show car was arguably much sleeker and better looking than the production version, but it was to compete in a market with E-type, 911, Citroën SM and Dinos where a four banger was simply out of the question. Disclaimer: I have written extensively about the Montreal and also restored one.

[@TheMrFishnDucks]

Awesome car. That colour is absolutely beautiful. Thank you to Amanda for letting this car be documented on video. Looking forward to the next video. Keep up the good work.

[@robt8620]

I remember these cars from Top Trumps, and from seeing them in Switzerland.Always interested me and a rare sight today. , probably a more interesting ownership proposition than a Interceptor. .You manage to describe the driving experience and feeling /character of a car where many youtubers fail , Another great video jack.

[@jinggarcia]

most of the best looking cars came out in the late-60s and the 70s. beautiful.

[@aston-martin-internationalist]

I saw one of these at The Classic Hub about 3 or 4 years ago and fell in love with it. Really is a very cool car.

[@salamander5703]

It sounds like an American car because they mostly have 90degree cranks as well. 90deg crank V8 engines have perfect primary and secondary balance so are very smooth. The US sound comes because they fire two cylinders (at 90 deg intervals) on one bank, then two on the other, and so on. Gives that nice burble effect with twin exhausts.

[@rennwolfwolfgangkriegl]

Great video, Jack! 😀 The switchable horn is something my Fiat Dino Coupé has also and the manual for the car states that the louder one is for country driving, where speeds are higher and therefore road and wind noise is more present. The quieter horn is meant for city traffic. Anyways, it is a funny little quirk that only the Italians would come up with and it is endearingly charming to me. 😀 By the way, something else my Dino has two of is ignition systems. In the early 70s, Magneti Marelli built their first ever fully electronic ignition system. They must not have been entirely confident in their own product, because the Dino Coupé with the 2.4L V6 also comes with a conventional distributor ignition system , as sort of a backup in case the electronic one should ever fail. You can even switch between the two systems on the fly with the engine running, using a flip-switch on the ignition box. 😉 I love these little details! 😀

[@machtschnell7452]

What a great vintage car. Never sold in the USA. Did not realize it was a flat plane crankshaft. Now drive a 33 Stradale in a drive on the right country.

[@oliverlondon5246]

Wonderful car, yet very temperamental. A friend owns one and he regular pours thousands into it for repairs

[@canucklehead0]

Brother, you must have been a good boy in another life (and this one I suppose), to have had the string of cars to sample lately!! I was born in 1967 so I guess the Montreal and I both being somewhat Canadian (me a bit more if I'm honest) are siblings of a kind, although I must say the Alfa is aging much better than I am. The looks of this fabulous car always get me and being in direct competition sales-wise with the Dino can you imagine going into an Italian car sales shoppe back in like 1972 with the frightening sum of around $10K to buy insure and tax a car and seeing those two cars in the showroom? Now had Ferrari thought "You know what? Instead of our 6cyl that Enzo seems to hate why don't we buy that lovely Alfa V8 and throw a special Ferrari tune on it to maybe eek a few more rampaging Italian horses, and then stuff it into the Dino's absolutely stunning body and chassis?" Now that would have been a car and a half even by today's standards! Cannot wait to see what you'll show up in next, great and educational film!!!

[@herridge819]

I was working at an Alfa dealer at the time the Montreal was still in production. Apart from the looks I found it an extremely disappointing car to drive.

[@davec1942]

Just another over priced, woeful Italian car from the 60's-70's era, the Montreal deserves its reputation as "a bit of a shit box", all fur coat and no knickers.

[@neilwalsh4058]

@@davec1942 I just don't get the Alfa 'thing'. They were constantly bailed out by the Italian government, until Fiat took them over and they started making profit. Stunning as it looks , the Montreal wasn't in the same class as a Fiat Dino for a driver's car.

[@robertmenghini.Lambomad]

This is what I guessed too!

[@semperoccultus]

absolute ABSOLUTE RIGHT.

[@71ala]

There was the misperception that the Montreal should handle like a Lotus, while it was meant to be a comfortable long distance GT. Italian journalists drove one from Milan to Lubeck in northern Germany at crazy speeds and loved it!!

[@philrobinson2859]

It wasn’t a flop. As with most gas guzzlers of that era it sold very well for a super car with over 4000 units in Europe before the fuel crisis.

[@babylon5mh]

I always loved the look of these. I wouldn't care how it drives, I would be happy just having it to look at. It's a masterpiece in my eyes ........ the color is spot on as well

[@forestghost7]

I had my 73 for 9 awesome yrs. Want to know how it REALLY drove? See my comments above 😊

[@rientsdijkstra4266]

There are other video's YT where you get much more of the engine sound, and its one of the best sounding engines I have ever heard.

[@zippy4166]

Hes only gone and done it OMG chap. What a beautiful motor. Very well done jack (Si from bath)

[@ingvargissurarson4671]

Stunningly beutifull design but seems to have been a kind of "parts bin special" as it looks like Alfa used what was available in the shelfs at the time, no matter if it was up to the task or not. And way more beutifull in person than on pictures.

[@strat0871]

A friend of my dad had one, back in the late70's. We had some ride in it sometimes, I was 16 and I fell in love with that engine sound. But yes, the Montreal didn't have the chassis that deserved its engine.

[@aussie6639]

And also, all the Italian cars from the late 70s to 80s have a particular smell when you sit in them, that screams Italian ❤

[@sammygirlie345]

Loving the ribbed headlining you would of thought it would of ribbed right to left to match the ribbing on seats though

[@r1oo1]

One thing that someone may be able to answer??. If you watch the jay Leno review if this car, he states his will rev to 9k with the sweet spot around 7k.. His is a Italian one from 1971?. From other reviews and what I have read, this car revs to 6.4-6.5k and has 194-5 bhp? His revs to 9k and has around 240bhp. Were there different ones out at different times or slightly different outputs over the years? Either way a beautiful car which is reasonably priced (£60-100k) for such a beautiful classic Italian car..

[@Number27]

Road cars revved to 6500.. the race engine to 8800. Maybe Leno’s is tuned…

[@r1oo1]

He doesn't say it's turned.. If fact he says apart from the tyres it's standard?? But all I have read would suggest it revs only to 6.5k.. Thank you for your reply..

[@stephenricketts7764]

I am not an expert on Alpha's though I like most of them.This car is so well designed in terns of looks. I would go as far as to say that the design has not dated much. Such a shame that it did not do so well at the time though the things you mentioned, oil crisis being a major factor with other cars of the time as well. I love the Alpha quirks in this, so Italian. Thanks jack for yet another great review. 👍👍

[@oldanslo]

Alfa, not Alpha. Not an expert indeed.

[@БранимирПетров]

Gandini was a bit unhappy with it. He later stated that he's dissapointed that Alfa decided to put the V8 in it, and for that had to raise to bonnet well above the concept car. Still, it looks amazing to me as well.

[@stephenricketts7764]

@@oldanslo absolutely no clue why I typed Alpha? Send me to the back of the class.

[@dcpete5475]

Alpha's 😂😂😂😂😂

[@roystonvehicles9129]

Michael Caine ran one in a film in the early 70s,i remember reading a road test of one in 72 motor magazine

[@odysseusreturns9133]

Heartstoppingly beautiful, a real work of art second only to the Miura.

[@andrewbuckley2892]

Hi Jack ... Nice one once again. Did meet a chap with one of these cars one time , he said the carbs were always going out of tune as the set up was never perfected. Cheers Andrew

[@berolina7521]

Fancy that, especially as the Montreal has no carbs, it‘s fuel injected! 😂

[@andrewbuckley2892]

I Stand corrected .... the fuel injection system was the problem then ! Thanks ..@@berolina7521

[@Number27]

Hey Andrew, nice to hear from you! I think the fuel injection on these can be troublesome… so that’s probably what the chap was referring to!

[@martinrichardhorrocks9869]

@@Number27 Because of which quite a few were converted to carbs (can´t remember which or how). But now they get converted back and are reliable when sorted. In fact Spica is not that scary and was fitted to most US Alfas post emmissions, just unknown in Europe. It´s a mechanical system and an old school diesel tractor mechanic might not be too phased......

[@DanMosqueda]

A guy in my cars and coffee circle has one. It’s always fascinating to see it. Great video Jack. Your delivery is amazing.

[@Number27]

Thanks Dan!

[@forestghost7]

Let's clear the air about the Montreal's "faults" ... I owned and daily drove for 9 yrs one of the tightest best built of all 3925, a 73, # AR10564 - 2001062, few hundred from the last. I was 21 when it was left to me by a late uncle in 1983 and I understood it was a car built for European freeways, to get 2 ppl from the cities to the Riveria or Monte Carlo fast and fun . It was NOT a city car nor an autocrosser or small nimble sportscar, yes it drove like a truck at low speed. But it did 100 - 140 MPH like fired out of a slingshot. The brakes were inadequate, I upgraded them and fitted 16" wheels and 50 series tires, heavier sway bars etc. It handled just fine for what it WAS, a high speed GT (grand tourer). My life's big regret was selling it but I had to buy my 1st house 😢. I hope this 1st hand info is helpful, thank you all

[@grayfool]

As great as the Montreal looks, I would still have had a Dino at the time. The DIno is just sooo pretty.

[@Jefchang1]

The two best smoothest and exciting cars I've ever own and driven were the Alfa Montreal and the Alfa GTV 2000 in the 1970s.

[@cravenwildsmith9711]

Dad had 3 Alfa in the period and remember drooling over one in the workshop in York

[@martinlagrange8821]

One of my bucket-list cars. Intriguingly the p/w matches the last V6 156 (which I have now) which is also 1300kg wet with the 2.5l 24V Busso putting out 200bhp and 200nm torque - which is amazing to think about.

[@67daltonknox]

The driving comments remind me of the near contemporaneous Alfetta GTV4 which was a beautifully balanced car, later ruined by the substitution of the heavier V6 which made it understeer.

[@jeandibb4111]

Gorgeous thing. Always loved these and great to have a real world review, thanks Jack. Partic loved seeing underneath it (do more or those please) as it gave real insight into why the period reviews weren’t great.

[@chrismiller9032]

In the late 80's / early 90's this was a $15k car. Was impressive to see in the metal with the SPICA fuel injectors. Mechanical injection pump was huge. The rear differential sump was necessary for cooling from the higher power level, Think you can still get it from a German website. Also sat in a mid to late 60''s Cooper-Alfa Romeo F1 car that was crazy. Had fuel running through the roll bar..

[@mylesnic]

HOWDY JACK, LOVE THE VID ON THE MONTREAL .. WISH YOU DO ONE ON THE 33 ALFA ( I HAVE ONE. GOT IT TWENTY YEARS ) 🇦🇺

[@paulaxford6754]

This has been one of my favorite cars along with the Iso Grifo since I saw them listed in a 1974 German car buyer's guide. I didn't know it was related to Expo '67 and I visited as a child. I've only seen one Montreal on the road, in Pt Loma San Diego, and another at a car show. But I now I wish I didn't know it has a live axle, seems out of place.

[@HiNRGboy]

I only just found your channel but I already love it!! I love all these classic European cars! They're really a thing of charm and beauty unlike anything today in my opinion.

[@stoneylonesome4062]

Jack, I’d love to see you review an LMX Sirex, an underrated Italian Pony Car.

[@henryhol8538]

I have been looking forward to this. For me, this cars claim to fame is that it did the first boy/girl fun car race scene with Michael Caine against a Porsche 911 that was later replicated in Mission Impossible 2 and Goldeneye!

[@wolf5757]

What a wonderful car and thanks a lot for your sympathic presentation .I like the original exhaust pipes which provide an elegant V8-sound as it was common in the cultivated 70ies .

[@thethirdman225]

When I first read about this car in the 1970s, I remember the testers saying something like, ‘It might not go very hard but brother does it stop’. This was accompanied by a head on picture of the car practically standing on its nose. These were Australian delivered Alfas but I can’t imagine there’s that much difference. I think it’s significant that these were the only reports I have read that say anything positive about the brakes. All the others are along the same lines as what you said.

[@tocsa120ls]

I'm pretty sure you could order the loud horns as an option in a Rolls-Royce and Cadillac too ;)

[@paulriggers1558]

and the bentley he did the other week...

[@philipdubuque9596]

Put me down as a lover of all things Alpha. I've always had a soft spot in my heart (and head?) for the marque. With this model we can certainly invoke the word 'unique' without abusing the adjective. This is not the only video review of the Montreal but it is the best. Thanks for another brilliant episode!

[@stinkertoy4310]

ALFA!!!!! Not alpha, he said to the “alpha lover”.

[@cnm_quore]

Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili

[@InTeCredo]

When I had my 1971 Alfa Romeo 1750A Berlina (yes, the 1750 with rare automatic gearbox) serviced, the garage owner gave me a ride in his client's Montréal. The car was sort of a let down for me in the same way you described. The only thing I liked the most was the engine sound.

[@colinsavidge9121]

A pizza manufacturer I dealt with had one of these. Used to pick me up from the station when I visited the factory. Great fun!

[@namibgtv6]

This was a massively misunderstood car in it’s time. Despite it’s looks, and that fantastic engine, it was always meant to be a stylish grand tourer, or Italian muscle car if you like. It was never intended to be razor sharp, like Ferraris, Lambos or even Maseratis of the era. Very much like the modern rendition of the 8C, the Competizione. The 8C was heavily criticized for impracticality, and somewhat strange handling characteristics, yet, like the Montreal, it was supposed to be something spectacularly pretty, that sounded incredible, to be enjoyed at a leisurely pace, or usher you and your lady to dinner. Something very special. This still is, very very special, just like the 8C Competizione. Great feature Jack. Thank you. Keep the Alfa content coming, you make the Alfisti very happy.

[@ayebark784]

Will always remember the day 30 Montreal's passed by me heading other direction a couple of years back - was accompanied by an SZ & a few 70s/80s GTVs

[@benbuchanan672]

Great video of a wonderful car. I’ve admired these for years (looked at one for £12,995 in 2003) but had no idea they were the same price as a Dino new. Shows what value they are now!

[@garrydavis3475]

Oi jack are you bloody reading these comments mate or what? Anyway great job mate you smashed it out of the park with something different and non main stream keep it up 👍 this is what makes you better than the rest

[@Number27]

Hey dude.. I do read them but can’t read them all!! Thanks for watching as always!

[@garrydavis3475]

@@Number27 all good nicely done

[@arisaga822]

Dammit, all I needed was to hear that glorious engine start up and No Nut November challenge failed. Oh well.🎉

[@timharrison4155]

Owned one for a few years. I would agree with most of your comments, definitely more of a GT, much happier on A roads than B roads. You didn’t mention the main “ownership downside” which is its staggering complexity. V8, mechanical fuel injection, twin pumps, twin coils, dry sump etc etc. There are still days I wish I hadn’t sold mine

[@sparky4878]

Car spotters going to start camping on this road. What with Jack and Harry both making that corner iconic.

[@martinrichardhorrocks9869]

You are in a spate of covering cars from my past and I agree with most things you say about the Montreal. It is a looker, but attracted too much of the wrong attention for me (my car was a stunning metallic green!). But the Montreal is a boat, handles terribly and the front end lifts when you accelerate. The brakes are awful. Both these things can and must be corrected by Alfaholics upgrades, which will transform the car (maybe save an expensive accident) for about 2000GBP. You are right about the blindspots, terrifying in city traffic, not one of those nice cars which shrink around you. I lived in central Madrid when I had mine so the lack of bump protection was also scary and many of these cars have a broken escudo grille. As well as the 105 running gear, the Montreal has a 105 fuel tank, which emptied faster than my bladder would fill which rather takes the idea of GT out the window. I couldn´t get 20mpg on 70 mph runs between Madrid and Alicante, so a guzzler as well. Spares are easier to find now than 10 years ago, but it is expensive if anything goes wrong with the engine. The water pump bearings fail which is an expensive fix. If you have problems with the Spica FI very few people will be willing to fix it ( a guy in US, a guy in Switzerland and a guy in the UK who just wouldn´t pick up the phone). The engine really has nothing to do with the T33 racing unit, apart from architecture. It does sound wonderful and the Montreal was nicely built at the Bertone factory, so tend to rust less than a Milan Alfa of the time. Is it good value? It´s relatively cheap if you want to show off and cruise around. I´d be interested to see you compare a Fiat Dino Coupé. The Oil Crisis didn´t help the car but it didn´t kill it either, Montreal was just too expensive and not good enough. Again, I´d have a well-sorted GTV6 for a fraction of the price over a Montreal. I like driving....

[@pex_the_unalivedrunk6785]

I really wish I could have one of these....in the same color. But, I don't have any money....no matter how hard I try to work for it. This is an absolutely beautiful looking and sounding car!

[@patrickhostler5939]

Wow… you really are driving some amazing machines these days Jack. Despite the Alfa not being a game changer I would definitely have one in my dream garage/warehouse ❤

[@magicalwishlist6616]

It’s a thing of beauty. I was at the Alfa Museum and it sat proudly with all those other beautiful cars.

[@gregkillick4261]

I think i own this car when i was in England had trouble with the brake master cylinder I will check photos as the lic looks very familiar .I drove it home after a tune up and one the spark plugs blew out but got home I got stopped all the time as folks loved its looks But your right the engine seemed very sluggish and wallow around on the curves and bends .

[@kiwiwifi]

The Montreal morphed into the Sprint. I’m in NZ and Sprints used to ubiquitous. I haven’t seen one for eons

[@stephenscholes4758]

No, completely different car

[@polyphonics557]

Always loved the design and it's as old as me......if money were no object then I would have two.....one kept original for the sound of the Alfa V8 and one as a restomod with 300 to 400 HP, a total mega bucks remake to be driven.

[@liverpoolscottish6430]

You can forgive the Montreal it's shortcomings. Ultimately, it's art with a wheel on each corner. Extremely beautiful and stylish. Well worthy of it's increasing iconic status. Amanda has impeccable taste, she's a work of art in her own right too! :)

[@jabbalechat7910]

TBH, I couldn't care less what the critics said at the time, I've always loved this car from the day I first saw one . Thanks for another great video... 👍👏😻

[@blkcat6184]

Great video. I never realized that the Montreal suspension was basically stock 105. Having owned and driven a couple of 105s I can attest to the joy of steering with the throttle, but those weren't $100K+ cars. Still, with the right tweaking the 105 suspension can be made enjoyable.

[@johang7498]

Montreals design I think is mostly what makes it iconic: it looked sensational in 1970 and does so today! Paired with that engine, you get something very special, so regardless of lacking a fitting chassis, I'd say montreals status as one of the great Italian classics is highly deserved. I don't know about the car being a flop, though: it was after all an exclusive and expensive high-end GT with a V8 engine, so I presume Alfa wouldn't have expected to sell many thousands of them each year? To my knowledge, it was only after the oil crisis that sales dramatically dropped and by that time the montreal was already in production for 3 years. So I would say it was a semi-flop. 🙂

[@beatglauser9444]

I loved the Montreal ever since: It is a beauty, a special car and different from everything else. I has a V8 and it is Italian to the core. Even the dealerships did not apreciate it enough. When it was promoted in Lugano less than 20 dealers showed up. Some of the brand new cars did not have working wipers and the cars had their gremlins. But come on: Look at it! It was underrated and for a long time you could buy them at a bargain price. They were one of the most underrated vehicles in that class and aera.

[@ianbrade7754]

Pretty sure the Jensen interceptor also had "town/ country" bi-level horns like that, with a toggle switch on the dash.

[@tonysangwine-gould4733]

Thank you for that Jack, I have seen a few recently and love the look of them and always have, but have never driven one. The thought of finding engine parts always put me off a bit. I agree with you that they are undervalued. Pretty car.

[@richardwilton722]

Such a beautiful car. I saw one at a classic car show this summer. I couldn’t take my eyes off it!

[@grahamsimper5342]

Great car, for those that don't know a Montreal you should have shown the way the headlight covers work! Now that is quirky! 😀

[@roytrevisan3491]

"only the Italians" such a perfect way to say what explains this car and dozens and dozens more. Do you like to DRIVE?? Yeah? well get in and take control of this totally immersive, responsive, tactile, one of a kind, quirky but incredible driving experiences. Beautiful car quirks and all. Forza Italia!!

[@drd6416]

I remember seeing one of these pulling in a local garage in Wyke, Bradford, in the late 90s. Looked great but sounded rough... think that was tge dual distributors acting up....!