In late 1966 Alfa Romeo was selected to create a conceptual exhibit “of man’s aspiration for the automobile” for the 1967 International and Universal Exposition in Montreal, Canada. Marcello Gandini, of Lamborghini Miura fame, and coachbuilder Bertone worked together to create a truly memorable prototype with a wide, low, shark-like nose extending through a curved fender and shoulder haunches into a truncated tail. The headlight “blinds” and stacked horizontal vents on the C-pillar were both attractive and futuristic in concept.

Public reaction to the concept vehicle shown at Montreal prompted Alfa to develop a production version, based on the 105 chassis with a modified Tipo 33 aluminum alloy, twin-cam V-8 with dry-sump lubrication. Dubbed, naturally, the Montreal, it saw production of 3,925 examples between 1971 and 1975, of which perhaps 100 have made their way to the United States.

The example offered here is finished in beautiful red with a black cloth interior, featuring dramatically contrasting red carpets, and presents beautifully throughout. Its paint and bodywork both appear in very good condition, while the interior appears virtually new, aside from slight aging to the rear shelf. Under the hood is well sorted and attractive, typical of this collection, with only minor wear from occasional use. At the time of cataloguing, the car had recorded 71,146 miles.

Today the Montreal is considered Alfa Romeo’s most iconic road car of the era and one of Bertone and Gandini’s greatest designs.