RE: You Know You Want To... Alfa Romeo Montreal
Discussion
While I think this one is probably overpriced I really can't understand why that is on a rational level. There is really nothing this side of a Maserati Ghibli/Bora/Khamsin that compares to the Montreal in terms of styling and exotic engineering prowess, and imho there is hardly a cooler (mainstream production) car on the planet.
But then, that's probably because I wasn't born when these cars were new (and, being rational again
it's probably the 70s equivalent of the Brera, that archetype of midlifecrisis-mobiles). Nevertheless, I predict a surge in Montreal prices over the next 10 years, driven by Generation Y's tendency to misinterpret everything that has come before them.
But then, that's probably because I wasn't born when these cars were new (and, being rational again
it's probably the 70s equivalent of the Brera, that archetype of midlifecrisis-mobiles). Nevertheless, I predict a surge in Montreal prices over the next 10 years, driven by Generation Y's tendency to misinterpret everything that has come before them.Being from that era, the Montreal was always something "in the middle" between the mainstream cars and the junior supercars. Above it were the Isos, Ferraris, Monteverdis, Porsches - it was more a range topper like the SM but without the engineering kudos.
I suspect the overpricing on this one comes from mentioning Yasmin LeBonk.
I suspect the overpricing on this one comes from mentioning Yasmin LeBonk.
Someone thought the Alfa Montreal used a US sourced V8?!?!?!?! WTF!!!!!!!!
This is the only road going Alfa I REALLY love , I would be extremely happy to own one.
I know they have a sniffy reputation, but to me it's a truly great car.
M.
This is the only road going Alfa I REALLY love , I would be extremely happy to own one.
I know they have a sniffy reputation, but to me it's a truly great car.
someone said:
What's a "Strato"?
Tut tut... one of these!M.
Edited by marcosgt on Friday 27th May 09:03
As a teenager in the 70's a lad I was at school with, his parents had a 'Jewish Racing Gold' Montreal.... never forget the epic noise it made on the occasions he got dropped off/picked up from school in it.
He was of middle-eastern origins and his father was some sort of diplomat and an Italian car nut.... hence the Montreal and the lovely Fiat 130 Coupe that they had as well.
I remembered what the Fiat looked like, but had to spent an age googling 70's Fiat's to find out what it was called
He was of middle-eastern origins and his father was some sort of diplomat and an Italian car nut.... hence the Montreal and the lovely Fiat 130 Coupe that they had as well.
I remembered what the Fiat looked like, but had to spent an age googling 70's Fiat's to find out what it was called
If you think £25k is too much, Yasmin was looking for £16k for it in 1998 when she had it up for sale:
"If anyone wants to buy an Alfa Romeo Montreal 1974, fitted with right-hand drive and a V8 engine, I've got one and I'm only looking for £16,000. There, that's saved me having to put an advert in Loot."
http://www.yasminlebon.net/interviews/fhm98april.h...
This vehicle was also claimed to have been restored in 1995 and further work in 2006 when put up for auction last year:
A 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, the car is offered with current road fund licence, MoT to May 2011 and Swansea V5.
http://www.bonhams.com/eur/auction/18213/lot/320/
A bit more delving does indeed confirm the Le Bon car was written off and sold after repair, by Cleave Motor Salvage around 2003/2004:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/article10...
and it now gets more interesting, never judge a book etc, etc......
"it was built in 1972. The car was not registered until 1974 as it was held in stock before being sold this is a UK RHD car not an import. The car is very original it has had the seats covered in leather and a light respray with new grill.It is also booked in to go to the international meeting in Finland this year, so the new owner will have an adventure to look forward to, I have no doubts that the car will manage this trip with ease and without any problems.
I have covered several thousand miles in this car and it has never let me down or had any problems. Comes with an indoor cover and a few spares. This has to be the best RHD example to have come up for sale for many years. The car has no known faults but has 1 rust scab on the front spoiler below the bumper. The car has been inspected by Robert Thompson (montreal specialist) and he described it as one of the better Montreals in the UK."
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Alfa-Romeo-Montreal-1972-Cel...
Looks like it has been through a few hands?
"If anyone wants to buy an Alfa Romeo Montreal 1974, fitted with right-hand drive and a V8 engine, I've got one and I'm only looking for £16,000. There, that's saved me having to put an advert in Loot."
http://www.yasminlebon.net/interviews/fhm98april.h...
This vehicle was also claimed to have been restored in 1995 and further work in 2006 when put up for auction last year:
A 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, the car is offered with current road fund licence, MoT to May 2011 and Swansea V5.
http://www.bonhams.com/eur/auction/18213/lot/320/
A bit more delving does indeed confirm the Le Bon car was written off and sold after repair, by Cleave Motor Salvage around 2003/2004:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/article10...
and it now gets more interesting, never judge a book etc, etc......
"it was built in 1972. The car was not registered until 1974 as it was held in stock before being sold this is a UK RHD car not an import. The car is very original it has had the seats covered in leather and a light respray with new grill.It is also booked in to go to the international meeting in Finland this year, so the new owner will have an adventure to look forward to, I have no doubts that the car will manage this trip with ease and without any problems.
I have covered several thousand miles in this car and it has never let me down or had any problems. Comes with an indoor cover and a few spares. This has to be the best RHD example to have come up for sale for many years. The car has no known faults but has 1 rust scab on the front spoiler below the bumper. The car has been inspected by Robert Thompson (montreal specialist) and he described it as one of the better Montreals in the UK."
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Alfa-Romeo-Montreal-1972-Cel...
Looks like it has been through a few hands?
Edited by cookie1600 on Friday 27th May 09:57
aeropilot said:
As a teenager in the 70's a lad I was at school with, his parents had a 'Jewish Racing Gold' Montreal.... never forget the epic noise it made on the occasions he got dropped off/picked up from school in it.
He was of middle-eastern origins and his father was some sort of diplomat and an Italian car nut.... hence the Montreal and the lovely Fiat 130 Coupe that they had as well.
I remembered what the Fiat looked like, but had to spent an age googling 70's Fiat's to find out what it was called
And that's what a Montreal is all about. It looks and sounds great. It is of course dynamically a bit inept because it's 40 years old in the same way a Daytona or an Espada will be compared to a 2 year old 535d. It was a mad product from the last throes of what used to be a great car manufacturer. It's the seventies equivalent of the 8C. Perhaps not quite as good as it looks, but pure porn anyway.He was of middle-eastern origins and his father was some sort of diplomat and an Italian car nut.... hence the Montreal and the lovely Fiat 130 Coupe that they had as well.
I remembered what the Fiat looked like, but had to spent an age googling 70's Fiat's to find out what it was called
Touring442 said:
...It is of course dynamically a bit inept because it's 40 years old in the same way a Daytona or an Espada will be compared to a 2 year old 535d...
Wow, that's an interesting claim for PH.As a matter of interest, are there any tests comparing something mundane like a 535d to a Daytona?
It'd be an interesting comparison - Would the Daytona seem inept? What about on similar rubber?
M/
marcosgt said:
Touring442 said:
...It is of course dynamically a bit inept because it's 40 years old in the same way a Daytona or an Espada will be compared to a 2 year old 535d...
Wow, that's an interesting claim for PH.As a matter of interest, are there any tests comparing something mundane like a 535d to a Daytona?
It'd be an interesting comparison - Would the Daytona seem inept? What about on similar rubber?
And yes, the Daytona would seem inept compared to any current car such as a 535d.
It's a 45 year old design after all.
Driving old cars is about the occasion, not the dynamics.
marcosgt said:
Wow, that's an interesting claim for PH.
As a matter of interest, are there any tests comparing something mundane like a 535d to a Daytona?
It'd be an interesting comparison - Would the Daytona seem inept? What about on similar rubber?
M/
Very good point. It would be lovely to see a comparison. After a drive with my own 'oldies' and stepping back into the diesel hatchback, I'm always struck with how much better the modern brakes are, how fast a lowly diesel can be compared to cars considered to be fairly sporty in their time, but also how good the ride of those old cars is.As a matter of interest, are there any tests comparing something mundane like a 535d to a Daytona?
It'd be an interesting comparison - Would the Daytona seem inept? What about on similar rubber?
M/
I'm fairly certain a spriteful little Peugeot or similar can give some 70's 'super'cars a run around the track. Also on modern rubber (which does make a huge difference).
How about old car with the currently available 'symphathetic restauration' mods?
You know, uniballs, engine upgrade, better shocks .. then their weight advantage would come into play. And it may sound a little better than a muffled diesel.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXFm166ov-E
aeropilot said:
Driving old cars is about the occasion, not the dynamics.
I'm never entirely convinced by that argument.Sure there's an element of that, but, whilst the ultimate numbers might not be comparable, something like a Daytona, surely, would feel exciting and involving in a way a 535d could never dream of matching (in a similar way that a Clio Williams offers a more involving drive than a Clio Cup)?
I'd still like to see someone make an unbiased comparison though, the Classic Car mags always rave about the enjoyment of old cars (often discounting all modern cars are dull and uninspiring) whilst many people discount the last model of a car once the latest arrives (E46 BMW M3 vs E92, for example, or latest 911 incarnation versus the previous).
Maybe it is just the 'occasion', but driving some older sports cars they deliver a degree of interaction and tactileness that modern cars don't. I can only imagine what something like the Daytona (which was a landmark car in its time) would be like... sadly
M.
Edited by marcosgt on Friday 27th May 11:54
marcosgt said:
I'm never entirely convinced by that argument.
Sure there's an element of that, but, whilst the ultimate numbers might not be comparable, something like a Daytona, surely, would feel exciting and involving in a way a 535d could never dream of matching (in a similar way that a Clio Williams offers a more involving drive than a Clio Cup)?
I'd still like to see someone make an unbiased comparison though
The basic mistake is to even think of trying to make a comparison between cars of such different era's.Sure there's an element of that, but, whilst the ultimate numbers might not be comparable, something like a Daytona, surely, would feel exciting and involving in a way a 535d could never dream of matching (in a similar way that a Clio Williams offers a more involving drive than a Clio Cup)?
I'd still like to see someone make an unbiased comparison though
Old cars (and by that I mean at least pre-1980 ish) are more involving to drive simply because you have to think about what your doing more than with modern 'switch brain off' cars.
Being an old git and brought up driving 60's/70's stuff, I wish I had a garage suitable to have an old classic again. Something my age (or even older) would be just right
aeropilot said:
Hmmmmm..... a 535d on 70's era Cinturato's would be interesting
And yes, the Daytona would seem inept compared to any current car such as a 535d.
It's a 45 year old design after all.
Driving old cars is about the occasion, not the dynamics.
Indeed. If the Ferrari pilot wants to drop the hammer and give it some, I'd certainly try and keep pace but the beauty of these cars is seeing them on the road. If I were in a 535d, I'd drop the two side windows and let him overtake just to hear the old V12. These cars have nothing to prove.And yes, the Daytona would seem inept compared to any current car such as a 535d.
It's a 45 year old design after all.
Driving old cars is about the occasion, not the dynamics.
article today said:
Another one was an actual car that we showed you on PH recently. Remember the ex-Yasmin LeBon Alfa Romeo Montreal? That was in the classifieds for £25,000 - which I thought was top money - but it went for £31,050. The punch line being that since we featured it the MOT has expired! To think, you could have paid the asking price at the time and still made a good profit in the space of two months...
link
Hi All
I've enjoyed reading through the comments on the Montreal. I bought the car - didn't fall in love with it immediately - but I became convinced that I wasn't a true petrol head until I had an Alfa and if you're going to have an Alfa you could do a lot worse. BTW the hammer price I paid was £27k - the rest was buyer's premium payable to the auctioneer. Also the following was added to the listing:
"This car is offered with a current MoT until June 2012. We are pleased to inform bidders that contrary 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.""
The car is delivered tomorrow, wish me luck in Alfa world...
I've enjoyed reading through the comments on the Montreal. I bought the car - didn't fall in love with it immediately - but I became convinced that I wasn't a true petrol head until I had an Alfa and if you're going to have an Alfa you could do a lot worse. BTW the hammer price I paid was £27k - the rest was buyer's premium payable to the auctioneer. Also the following was added to the listing:
"This car is offered with a current MoT until June 2012. We are pleased to inform bidders that contrary 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.""
The car is delivered tomorrow, wish me luck in Alfa world...
carobsessed said:
Hi All
I've enjoyed reading through the comments on the Montreal. I bought the car - didn't fall in love with it immediately - but I became convinced that I wasn't a true petrol head until I had an Alfa and if you're going to have an Alfa you could do a lot worse. BTW the hammer price I paid was £27k - the rest was buyer's premium payable to the auctioneer. Also the following was added to the listing:
"This car is offered with a current MoT until June 2012. We are pleased to inform bidders that contrary 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.""
The car is delivered tomorrow, wish me luck in Alfa world...
Enjoy fella, i'm jealous for sure!I've enjoyed reading through the comments on the Montreal. I bought the car - didn't fall in love with it immediately - but I became convinced that I wasn't a true petrol head until I had an Alfa and if you're going to have an Alfa you could do a lot worse. BTW the hammer price I paid was £27k - the rest was buyer's premium payable to the auctioneer. Also the following was added to the listing:
"This car is offered with a current MoT until June 2012. We are pleased to inform bidders that contrary 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.""
The car is delivered tomorrow, wish me luck in Alfa world...
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