Footnotes

• Inspired by Bertone's Alfa-based styling exercise penned by Marcello Gandini that had been exhibited at the 1967 Montreal Expo, the two-seater Montreal coupé debuted at the Geneva Salon in 1970. Unlike the Expo prototype that used Alfa's 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine, the production Montreal used a 'civilised' version of the T33 sports prototype's four-cam V8. Designed with the classic endurance races in mind, this unit had started life in 2.0-litre form back in 1967 and would demonstrate considerable scope for enlargement. An opportunity to supply engines for the Australia/New Zealand Tasman Series prompted the first stretch to 2.5 litres, which was followed by further enlargement to 3.0 litres, in which form the Alfa engine was used in Formula 1 by McLaren. Campaigned by the factory-backed Autodelta team, the 2.0-litre T33s were frequent class winners in international sports car races, but for outright honours were more often than not out-gunned by the larger-engined Porsches and Ferraris despite the subsequent increases in capacity.
  Alfa's V8 first appeared in a road car in the T33 Stradale of 1967. The limited edition Stradale had used the V8 in its original 2.0-litre form but the Montreal's version displaced 2,593cc. Producing 200bhp at 6,500rpm courtesy of electronic ignition and Spica mechanical fuel injection, the Montreal's front-mounted, dry-sump engine drove the rear wheels via a ZF five-speed gearbox. Sourced from the contemporary Giulia 1750GTV, the running gear comprised independent front suspension and a live rear axle plus disc brakes all round. Aided by its slippery, fastback body, the Montreal was good for a top speed of 137mph (220km/h) and in spite of the hefty price tag proved very popular. A total of 3,925 cars had been produced when production ceased in 1977, only a relative handful of which were completed with the full 3.0-litre engine. Very few road cars can claim an engine with antecedents in both long-distance sports car racing and Formula 1, but the Alfa Romeo Montreal is one of them.
  A matching-numbers right-hand drive model, this lovely 2.6-litre Alfa Romeo Montreal previously belonged to Duran Duran's lead singer, Simon Le Bon and his fashion model wife, Yasmin. We are advised that the car was restored in 1995 and that it has benefited from further work carried out by the current vendor in 2006. Some successes have been achieved at International Montreal Concours d'Elegance meetings and the vehicle is described as in generally good condition. Finished in red with black interior, this reliable long-distance Gran Tourer is offered with current road fund licence, recently expired MoT (21st May 2011) and Swansea V5.
  

Auction Notices

• This car is offered with a current MoT until June 2012. We are pleased to inform bidders that contary to rumours within the Alfa Romeo fraternity about this car due to its celebrity history it has not been crushed or involved in a fire. The vendor advises "whilst in Yasmin le Bon's ownership she hit the end of her garage wall braking the grill, 1 headlight and 1 eye lid. The car was still driveable and not badly damaged. The car was written off due to no new parts being available at the time to fix the damage. I had the car inspected by Autolign, Northamptonshire for my peace of mind and there is a comprehensive report that states this from Autolign. Chris Slade, the Alfa Romeo Montreal Club Registrar confirm this."

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Category: Motoring / Motor Cars

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