The ten rarest and most expensive Alfa Romeo in history
Today, Alfa Romeos are still recognized as beautiful cars, but they are perceived as mass-produced. In the past, on the other hand, they were long-awaited cars that were absolutely exclusive. The survivors of this time are worth millions today.
We are talking about the pioneering period between the 1930s and 1960s, in which the most powerful, exclusive and elegant Alfas were created. Racing cars that have been tamed for the road and now fetch top prices at auctions.
In this list, we present the ten rarest and most expensive Alfa Romeo of all time, masterpieces on wheels that are coveted by museums, wealthy collectors and investors from all over the world. In order not to repeat ourselves, we have selected the most valuable specimen of each model, otherwise the ranking would only be about the magnificent 8C and 6C from the first half of the 20th century...
Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ (1962)
800,000 euros
Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ (1962), Zagato in the upper part
Let's start at the bottom of the ranking, in a very valuable tenth place, occupied by the Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ from the second series of 1962. It is the version with the more aerodynamic body with a truncated rear, also called SZ2, i.e. the second rebirth of the Giulietta Sprint Zagato.
Produced in a series of 44 units, this Giulietta, which took all the circuits by storm, with its 1,290 cm engine and 118 hp, was auctioned at Bonhams in Paris in 2016 with an estimated maximum price of 800,000 euros, but remained unsold.
Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ (1965)
EUR 1,425,025
Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ (1965), this is where the Alfa millionaires start
Another Alfa Romeo of great value is the 1965 Giulia TZ, the racing car heir of the SZ, but with a 1.6 engine with 172 hp. This "Tubolare Zagato" was sold in London in 2022 by the Gooding Company for the equivalent of 1,425,025 euros.
Alfa Romeo 1900C SS Berlinetta Zagato (1955)
1,744,382 euros
Alfa Romeo 1900C SS Berlinetta Zagato, the "Millenove" in evening dress
A little further back in time, we find another Alfa millionaire who couldn't find a new owner at auction. RM Sotheby's offered a stunning 1955 Alfa Romeo 1900C SS Berlinetta Zagato in 2016, valuing it at the equivalent of €1,744,382.
The compact coupé was one of 39 examples built by the Milanese coachbuilder, has a 1,975 cm tall and 116 hp engine and can look back on a rich sporting history.
Alfa Romeo Tipo 256 Coupé (1939)
2,669,873 euros
Alfa Romeo Type 256 Coupé (1939), the only example in the Spider Siluro version
The first Alfa Romeo on this list to exceed two million euros is a rare Tipo 256 Coupé from 1939, the only example with a Touring body to participate in the 1940 Mille Miglia in the Spider Siluro version.
The engine was a 2,443 cc inline six-cylinder with 125 hp. The beautiful car was sold in Pebble Beach in 2019 by the Gooding Company for 2,669,873 euros.
Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Gran Sport Spider (1931)
2,984,831 euros.
Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Compressor Gran Sport Spider (1931), also driven by Nuvolari
With the Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Compressor Gran Sport Spider from 1931, we reach new heights. Thanks to a restoration of the highest standard, Bonhams was able to achieve a price of 2,984,831 euros in 2014.
A true masterpiece, once again drawn by Zagato, that every great collector would love to have in their garage.
Alfa Romeo Tipo B (1932)
5,541,461 euros
Alfa Romeo Tipo B (1932), the car of Scuderia Ferrari
The first single-seater in this ranking is the 1932 Alfa Romeo Tipo B, a king of Grand Prix racing with a long history in competition, including in the ranks of Scuderia Ferrari.
The 2,654 cm in-line six-cylinder engine produced 215 hp. In 2018, it was auctioned at Bonhams for the proud sum of 5,541,461 euros.
Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale (1967-1969)
10-20 million euros
Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale (1967-1969), the legendary original version
Franco Scaglione was the designer of this incredible Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale, a real rarity of the Biscione brand, of which only 18 examples were produced between 1967 and 1969 with the 230 hp naturally aspirated 2.0 V8 engine.
The prototype is on display at the Alfa Romeo Historical Museum in Arese. It is not easy to determine the value of this jewel, as a 33 Stradale is rarely for sale, but it is easy to imagine that an interested buyer would spend between 10 and 20 million euros.
Alfa Romeo B.A.T. 5, B.A.T. 7, B.A.T. 9d (1953, 1954, 1955)
14,381,459 euros
Alfa Romeo B.A.T. 5, B.A.T. 7, B.A.T. 9d (1953, 1954, 1955). Three masterpieces of style
The trio, consisting of the Alfa Romeo B.A.T. 5, 7 and 9 models, has also earned a place in the Olympus of the most famous, valuable, iconic and rare Alfa Romeo cars. The three concept cars were developed between 1953 and 1955 by Carrozzeria Bertone on the basis of the Alfa Romeo 1900 and have a value of 17 million euros.
These are three masterpieces boldly designed by Franco Scaglione to explore the stylistic and aerodynamic possibilities of the sports sedan of the early 1950s under the name "Berlina Aerodinamica Tecnica".
Three sculptures on wheels that represent an evolution from the rather dreamlike theme of the circumferential fenders to a roadworthy model. The three cars were sold by RM Sotheby's in 2020 for the impressive sum of the equivalent of 14,381,459 euros.
Alfa Romeo Tipo 159 'Alfetta' (1951)
15/20 million euros
Alfa Romeo Type 159 (1951), the first Formula 1 queen
In the realm of the most valuable and historically significant cars, there is also a champion such as the Alfa Romeo 158/159 'Alfetta', the single-seater that won the first two Formula 1 World Championships in 1950 and 1951.
Its drivers were Nino Farina and Juan Manuel Fangio, champions who led this legendary single-seater to victory with its 1.5-liter inline engine with 8 cylinders and double supercharger and 425 hp.
Of the four examples of the Tipo 159 built, the most famous is kept in the Alfa Museum in Arese, but it is difficult to attach any value to it. If it is true that the competing Mercedes-Benz W196R was sold for almost 23 million euros, then one can estimate a price of between 15 and 20 million euros for the Alfetta.
Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Lungo Spider Touring (1939)
19,188,200 euros
Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Lungo Spider Touring (1939), the best Italian sports car
Back in the world of certainties (and not estimates), we come across the most valuable Alfa ever auctioned: the spectacular 1939 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Lungo Spider Touring, which changed hands at an RM Sotheby's auction in 2016 for the equivalent of €19,188,200 – a record for the Italian brand.
It is one of only 12 Spider Touring produced, with an 8-cylinder in-line engine with double volumetric supercharger that produces over 180 hp, a globally recognized masterpiece that represents the pinnacle of Italian sports cars of its generation. Suffice it to say that in 2019, Artcurial sold an Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 B Touring Berlinetta, estimated at 16.3 to 22 million euros.
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