Classic Alfa Forums

Well here I am in a pub /motel room at the start of a few days touring around the west coast of Scotland in the search for that rare breed known as the Montreal.
When I heard that the Monty register's annual trip this year was going to be held in the UK I decided I wanted to try and grab a chance to see and hear a collection of these fine beasts.
Normally at shows you only get to see two , three or four of them, and since I was young I have always had a love for them, so here i am.
So I set off this morning in beautiful sunshine and headed North. Loaded with a few items to carry out running repairs as I go as my old 1186 is now chucking oil out of it's arse....... all over my driver side caliper. So every couple of hundred miles I am whipping out the pads and cleaning things up. Usually after a scary braking issue when I lurch for the kerb.
Anyway, a good run up even though the sun eventually gave way to many heavy rain storms we arrived at Balloch at the foot of Loch Lomond.
So I hope to share some photos with you as and when I get the chance.
391 miles to get here and just over a tank full of fuel, some brake cleaner and a quarter of a litre of oil so far, and when I stopped to fill up I spotted my first car.
Anyway, it turned into a beautiful evening , a walk then into the pub for grub and beer.

Wrap a plastic bag round the caliper?

What a nice ride out mate, you're certainly putting some miles on the old girl this year.
Hope your Monty spotting continues, great to get a pic of a very similar coloured one

Got your RAC/AA/Green Flag card with you.....and change of undercrackers. Lol

KevJTD wrote:What a nice ride out mate, you're certainly putting some miles on the old girl this year.
Hope your Monty spotting continues, great to get a pic of a very similar coloured one

The plan was never to have her just in the garage mate.
Every service stop I made I had people come over to chat .
Looks like we will be dodging lots of showers over the next few days.

Ha Ha Tony, flat four is the only boxers you need mate.

When I finally get the integrale done I intend on taking a similar stance with it mate, spectating on the RAC will be high on my agenda, taking the car back to it's beginnings.

Yours though is a top drawer car so to use it so fully you need to be applauded

It's amazing how dainty the Montreal looks next the Alfasud, itself not known for its prodigious size

Sorry to hear your engine is chucking oil Keith, do you know where it is coming from?

Car looks great among all that rugged Scottish scenery! I always fancied chasing the Montreal meet around Europe...

Great photos so far chap and quite a trek . Respect .sud looks stunning. Happy hunting and good luck with the leak

Is that paddle steamer the Waverly? I went on that four years ago?

Spacenut wrote: Sorry to hear your engine is chucking oil Keith, do you know where it is coming from?

I think it is the rear crank seal. I only refitted it start of the year so we could rebuild the 1490 I was running. It hadn't been run for nearly 20 years and I just cleaned it and lobbed it in with new belts as a temporary to keep the car mobile. I knew it had a leak but I didn't think it would be too bad..........damn those inboard brakes
Should have read the signs when I stripped the car down.

Johnboy wrote:Is that paddle steamer the Waverly? I went on that four years ago?

I think it is called "Maid of the Loch" JB.

Wrap a bin bag round the engine!

Great pics

Well believe it or not they seem quite tricky to find.
I am staying about 35 miles from where the group are based so an early start so I can get over to Inveraray for their photo shoot at Inveraray Castle.
I roll up at the castle ahead of time, only to be told they left a while ago.
I message the only contact I have, but obviously, he is driving so I head out on the only logical route.
I eventually get a reply and head for where they are stopping for dinner. I am now about an hour behind and catching up.
Finally I find them, and after a while they head off in groups in different directions. I follow Graham and his wife back to Inveraray as most are heading back in there own time. Luckily, three who left before us pull out ahead of us from a lay-by and and a fourth after we pass. So a convoy of four Monty's then a Sud and a fifth Monty drive back through the pass of GlenCoe. Window down with a sound track of burbles, crackles and pops.
Later, back at the Loch Fyne Hotel all meet up and I am invited to stay for dinner with the group. Scotch tasting and a piper playing I very, very reluctantly decline the offer as the road back to Balloch is closed at 9pm for work.
Had some good chats with such a friendly group of people, and the Germans ,in particularly, absolutely loved the Sud. A few I spoke to said there just arn't any left.
Another chap touring with his son even took me out for a blast in his car. Awesome
Anyway, this is what you want to see, 35 cars in total.

A few more

But they do need a drink.

My trusty steed has now done just over 600 mile in the last two days.
Here she is, having a rest


A rugged one for Lauren.




A view riding shotgun in a Monty.

Absolutely awesome pics Keith. You lucky devil.

WOW!

what a great collection of cars mate, I've never seen so many together, pick the colour of your choice!

well done you, like searching for elusive creatures!

Thanks guys. It has been quite a day
Would you believe it, one of the cars is about 15 - 20 miles from me in Northants

Great photos ,amazing couple of days or what .the scenery looked amazing up there too

It is beautiful, and the roads are fab to drive through.

Stunning

What are the odds of this??

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Alfa-Romeo-M ... 3919379327



https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ALFA-ROMEO-M ... 3212050856

So which will you go for ?

It's fate

Kegsti66 wrote:What are the odds of this??

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Alfa-Romeo-M ... 3919379327



https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ALFA-ROMEO-M ... 3212050856

If the second one is the money they are now fetching the first one is a bargain!

Well worth a full resto, as long as you're not paying for it of course!

I agree with Kev.
Talking to the Monty group it is, as always with a resto, the small fittings that are hard to replace. Corrosion and paintwork is not so hard but trim and fittings are the make or break. That does look fairly complete but no mention of mechanicals. ZF boxes are pricey to fix and the engine is specialist..
Would love to paint one☺

Kegsti66 wrote:I agree with Kev.
Talking to the Monty group it is, as always with a resto, the small fittings that are hard to replace. Corrosion and paintwork is not so hard but trim and fittings are the make or break. That does look fairly complete but no mention of mechanicals. ZF boxes are pricey to fix and the engine is specialist..
Would love to paint one☺

Oils or water colour ? Sorry but could not resist.