Property of a deceased's estate; in current ownership for 41 years
1975 Alfa Romeo Montreal 2.6-Litre Coupé

• Rare right-hand drive model
• Present ownership since 1984
• Regularly maintained (bills available)
• Only 26,792 miles recorded

Inspired by Bertone's Alfa-based styling exercise penned by Marcello Gandini, which had been exhibited at the 1967 Montreal Expo, the two-seater Montreal coupé debuted at the Geneva Salon in 1970. Unlike the Expo prototype, which 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 displacing 2.6 litres. Further enlargement to 3.0 litres followed, in which form the Alfa engine was used in Formula 1 by McLaren.

Producing 200bhp at 6,500rpm courtesy of electronic ignition and Spica mechanical fuel injection, the Montreal's front-mounted, dry-sump, 2.6-litre engine drove the rear wheels via a ZF five-speed gearbox. Sourced from the contemporary Giulia 1750 GTV, 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 220km/h (136mph), 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.

One of very few Montreals delivered to the UK, this rare right-hand drive example was first registered on 1st August 1975. The car was previously owned by J K Riley of Stocksmoor, Huddersfield and before them to one Henry Riley of Holmfirth (1982). The late owner purchased the Alfa in July 1984 via Prancing Horse (Garages) Ltd of Huddersfield. The advertisement in Thoroughbred & Classic Cars July 1984 edition states: "1976 Alfa Romeo Montreal 22,000 miles, light blue metallic with dark blue upholstery and light blue carpets. This car is in perfect original condition and is the finest available £7,750." The current odometer reading is 26,792 miles.

Annual maintenance, servicing and MoTs were carried out by Ferdi's Garage, Lytham from 1985 onwards, and there are photographs on file of a repaint and rust removal/new panels/repairs in 1989 by Car Craft, Lytham costing £3,500. Issued by Modern Classics, Lytham in October 2023, the most recent bill is for a new fuel pump, new tyres, wheel refurbishment, dent removal, and engine detailing costing £6,700. The history file also contains a photocopy driver's handbook/service manual; sales brochure; road test report; and a V5C Registration Certificate for the registration '5857 W' (the previous registration was 'ORH 188P').