Rare And Beautiful Alfa Romeo Barn Find Bargain

Barn finds are some of the coolest happenings in the car world. The idea that there are rare, special, forgotten, but salvageable cars scattered across the globe, tucked away in the dark corners of outbuildings, is just downright exciting. We love to showcase these cars when they are found and brought out into the light for the first time in decades. This Alfa Romeo Montreal barn find is not only extremely cool and rare, but it might also be a good deal.

Alfa Romeo Montreal Specs

You might recall there was some buzz around the Alfa Romeo Montreal a few years ago, but the model has much deeper roots. Introduced in 1970, the Montreal was one of the most unique and underappreciated sports cars of its era. Designed by the legendary Marcello Gandini at Bertone – the designer of the Lamborghini Muria – the Montreal combined futuristic styling with a race-derived 2.6-liter V8 engine originally developed for the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale and Tipo 33 sports prototypes. With a dry-sump lubrication system, a 5-speed manual transmission, and a limited-slip differential, the Montreal was technically advanced for its time. It also featured independent front suspension, disc brakes all around, and distinctive louvered headlight covers that became one of its most iconic visual elements.

Although it boasted impressive performance, producing around 200 horsepower, and had looks to rival any exotic of the day, the Montreal was significantly more expensive than its direct rivals—the Jaguar E-Type and Porsche 911. This high price tag, combined with the 1973 Oil Crisis, ultimately limited its commercial success, with only 3,917 units produced between 1970 and 1977.

Despite its limited sales, the Montreal has earned a cult following in recent years due to its rarity, design pedigree, and the visceral experience offered by its V8 engine, even if it’s not all that quick. One such example is the 1975 Alfa Romeo Montreal recently brought to auction by Bonhams. This particular car carries added historical interest due to its previous owner, Philip Duffy of PD Graphics, a notable album cover designer who worked with music legends like The Rolling Stones and Ian Dury. Duffy purchased the car in 1979 in poor condition and took on a restoration project, acquiring two donor vehicles to bring the Montreal back to life. He then drove it enthusiastically for several years, participating in Alfa Romeo events across the UK, before putting it into long-term storage in 1987, where it remained untouched for approximately 38 years.

Alfa Romeo Montreal Barn Find

Now offered as a restoration project, this Montreal project presents a rare opportunity for collectors and enthusiasts to revive a forgotten classic with unique provenance. Expected to sell for between £15,000 and £20,000 (approximately $19,420–$25,895 USD), it comes with both historical charm and investment potential.

The Montreal may not carry the mainstream recognition of other sports cars from the era, but it offers a much cooler, rarer option for a vintage sports car at a bargain. The Montreal blends motorsport DNA, Italian design excellence, and rarity into a single package. The car’s resurgence in the collector’s market reflects a growing appreciation for its distinct personality and engineering roots. As more enthusiasts seek out hidden gems from the 1970s, the Montreal continues to gain recognition as one of the most intriguing and rewarding classic sports cars to own and restore.

Source: Silodrome, Bonhams