How has Montreal become involved in the history of the famous Italian brand? By the Universal Exhibition of 1967.
The single-seater Alfa Romeo F1 team wore in Baku a beautiful green dress on the bonnet in addition to the team’s white and red colors.
White and red are the colors of Switzerland, where the team’s single-seater, sponsored by Italian brand Alfa Romeo, were built at the Peter Sauber factory in Hinwil.
In Baku, for the European launch of an electric SUV, the Tonale (shown in Montreal, Thursday), green was added to white and red. Green, white, red, this is the flag of Italy. Fun mix of color and country.
But it’s not just any green, it’s Montreal green. Today, few people remember that the Alfa Romeo brand presented at Expo 67 the prototype of a new model intended to be the perfect car.
The prototype designed by Italian coachbuilder Bertone was white in 1967. In fact, two prototypes were made and shipped to Montreal for the Expo.
The prototypes, initially unnamed, were installed at the entrance to the “Man and Work” pavilion, whose themes are urbanization and development, in front of mirrors reflecting their ad infinitum images.
This car represents the perfect car, a project led by Orazio Satta Puliga, head of the Projects and Studies office of the Italian company, selected for this beautiful occasion.
The success was such that Alfa Romeo decided to market the model two years later, and found a name for it. For its marketing in 1970, the model was entitled to a green dress.
The model was called the Alfa Romeo Montreal and the color became Montreal green. The final version was shown at the 1970 Geneva Motor Show, the date of manufacture. Alfa Romeo stopped production in 1977 after building less than 4000.
The Alfa Romeo F1 team didn’t see fit to keep the green, white and red dress for the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal this weekend.
It’s a shame, but the memory of this unique moment at the 1967 Expo remains, of this model and this color forever associated with the Quebec metropolis.
And in case the Alfa Romeo Montreal attracts you, find out now that it’s a rare collector’s car …
Source: Radio-Canada
