Alfa Romeo Montreal 1970
With a transmission tunnel that precisely places the gearlever in reach and a low seating position that feels snug, the steering wheel's deeply-dished wood rim is both beautiful to look at and comfortable to hold. The race-bred V8, which dominates the Montreal experience on the road despite not being as speedy as you might anticipate, offers enough of performance and is accompanied by a fantastic audio. The handling was deemed a little soft by certain road testers of the time, but the engine is what really shines. this is the star.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
1. Major restoration is going to be a costly exercise, so checking the condition of the bodywork is the first thing with a Montreal. Plenty have been restored, but check all the panels for corrosion, particularly around the air vents aft of the doors. They can trap water and rust can spread to the wings below, as well as on into the sills and the floor. Check the luggage area for any signs of damp to as the hatch seals can leak. Bear in mind to that replacement panels are getting scarce, so it may take a determined hunt to unearth new/old stock or secondhand parts.
2. Light units and exterior trim like chromework and plastic components are difficult to find. Since the headlight covers are vacuum actuated, make sure they are in good working order before attempting repairs.
3. The dry-sump V8 engine is thought to be quite bullet-proof despite its racing heritage, but only with rigorous maintenance. The majority of issues are brought on by inactivity, thus regular exercise and skilled maintenance are essential for longevity. The majority of the parts are readily available, but a complete rebuild will cost several thousand pounds, so if you're unsure, get an expert assessment. Although the water pump is frequently mentioned as having weaknesses, engines of this age have similar issues.
4. The odd Spica fuel injection system is another topic that frequently comes up, but it's not the issue that some would have you believe. Internal seals and thermostatic actuators, which regulate the fuel/air mixture based on temperature, can malfunction, but problems are frequently brought on by a lack of technical knowledge. It's a good system once it's organized and configured properly (the owners club suggests contacting an expert in the US), so switching to carburetors, as some have done, is not really necessary.
The ZF gearbox is generally reliable, which is fortunate given that repairs or replacements are expensive. With these "boxes," a little noise at idle is normal, but keep an eye out for an extremely notchy gearchange, which could indicate more serious issues. Although the clutch or the ZF limited-slip differential shouldn't have any problems, they will be expensive if they do
6. There is little to worry about and getting components is not an issue because the steering, brake, and suspension hardware was given in large part by the Alfa 105-Series cars. While suspension improvements are popular as owners seek a sharper edge to the handling, a stock set-up in good condition complements the Montreal's laid-back demeanor. Lack of steering sharpness is typically caused by old linkages. The all-around disc brakes are easily overhauled and are more than capable of handling the work.
7. Expert trimmers can revive a worn-out cabin, but prices will quickly mount so avoid anything that has been neglected for too long. Finding one that is practically complete is the best option because sourcing some trim parts and switches can be difficult as well. And the Montreal performs admirably in this regard, despite the reputation for electrical issues that dogged many Italian cars of the era. As electric windows are a known weak area, make sure they operate properly. In early cars, air conditioning was an option; it became standard in 1972.
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