UNCLE PHIL'S choice PICKS

UNCLE PHIL HAS BEEN OUT SEARCHING FOR CLASSICS AND COLLECTABLES FOR YOU, DESPITE THE LOUSY WEATHER. HERE'S WHAT HE HAS FOUND

- By PHIL WALKER

1974 ALFA ROMEO MONTREAL $149,990

LIKE FINE WINE, THE ALFA ROMEO MONTREAL SEEMS TO GET BETTER WITH AGE

JEREMY CLARKSON and I are on the same page when it comes to Alfa Romeos. This Alfa saw the light of day at Expo 67 in Montreal, Canada without a badge. So everyone called it a Montreal, the name stuck. Designed by Marcello Gandini, the Montreal has a 2.6-litre V8 up front and power is sent to the rear wheels, via a limited-slip diff and five-speed ZF gearbox. The chassis and running gear were shared with the Giulia GTV coupe and when new, it was more expensive than an E-Type or a 911. Just 3900 were made. A handful washed up here so you know what that has done to prices. It's like owning a bottle of iconic Italian Rosso. Its beauty and scarcity have helped boost its price and desirability along the way. Despite its debut location, the Montreal was never sold in North America. If you want to be the focus of cars and coffee events, take a good look at this Italian beauty.

1973 TOYOTA SWB FJ40 $35,000