Alfa Romeo Montreal
.jpg "Alfa Romeo Montreal (1977)")
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Alfa
Romeo Montreal
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Overview
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Manufacturer
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Alfa
Romeo
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Production
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1970–1977
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Assembly
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Turin,
Italy (Bertone)
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Designer
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Marcello
Gandini at Bertone
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Body and
chassis
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Class
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Sports
car
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Body style
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2+2
coupé
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Layout
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FR
layout
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Powertrain
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Engine
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2.6
L V8
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Transmission
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ZF
5-speed manual
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Dimensions
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Wheelbase
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2,350
mm (92.5 in)
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Length
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4,220
mm (166.1 in)
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Width
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1,672
mm (65.8 in)
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Height
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1,205
mm (47.4 in)
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Curb weight
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1,270
kg (2,800 lb)
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Concept car
Production version
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| Alfa Romeo Montreal C pillar |
The first production car, Tipo 105.64, 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 (147 kW; 197 hp), coupled to a five-speed ZF manual 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; its redline was set at 7000 rpm, unheard of for a V8 at that time. 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. Paolo Martin is credited for the prototype instrument cluster.
The Montreal was more expensive to buy than the Jaguar E-Type or the Porsche 911. When launched in the UK it was priced at GB£5,077, rising to GB£5,549 in August 1972 and to GB£6,999 by mid-1976.
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 and engine and mechanicals and sent the chassis 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 emission control requirements in the United States & Canada. A Montreal can be seen in the 1974 movie The Marseille Contract where Michael Caine drives a metallic dark brown example.
Performance and specifications
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Specifications
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Top speed
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220 km/h (137 mph)
(measured top speed 224 km/h (139 mph) by Quattroruote magazine) |
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0–100 km/h
(62 mph)
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7.4 seconds
(measured 7.1 seconds 0–100 km/h (62 mph) by Quattroruote magazine) |
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Standing km
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27.6 seconds
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Standing quarter mile
(~400 m)
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15.1 seconds
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Type
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quad-cam 90° V8
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Displacement
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2.6 L 2,593 cc
(158.2 cu in)
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Power
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200 PS (147 kW;
197 hp) (230 bhp SAE) at 6500 rpm
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Torque
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235 Nm (173 lbft)
(24 m/kgf) at 4750 rpm
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