Today we have become accustomed to thinking of Alfa Romeo as one of the most glorious and fascinating manufacturers of sports cars, but still mass-produced and with non-prohibitive prices, but there was a time when “Alfas” were goods for a few and wealthy enthusiasts of speed and style.
Let’s talk about the pioneering era that goes from the 1930s to the 1960s of the last century, the one that saw the birth of the most powerful, exclusive and elegant Biscione cars, racing cars tamed for the road which today are also worth several million euros.
In this photographic roundup we show you the ten Alfa Romeos rarer and more expensive of all time, masterpieces on wheels that are sought after by museums, wealthy collectors and investors from all over the world. In order not to be repetitive, we have chosen the most precious example of each individual model, otherwise the ranking would have been dominated only by the splendid 8C and 6C from the first half of the twentieth century. Have fun with us to find out who is driving this special one Top 10 of the most special Alfas.
Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ (1962)
Photo at: Bonhams
Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ (1962), Zagato at the top
Let’s start from the bottom of the ranking, a very prestigious tenth place occupied byAlfa Romeo Giulietta SZ second series of 1962. This is the version with the more aerodynamic bodywork with truncated tail, also called SZ2 to indicate the second incarnation of the Giulietta Sprint Zagato.
Built in 44 specimens and capable of being a winner on all circuits, this very special Giulietta with a 1,290 cc engine and 118 CV she went toauction in Paris for Bonhams in 2016 with a maximum estimated price of 800,000 euros, but remained unsold.
Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ (1965)
Photo at: Gooding & Company
Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ (1965), this is where the millionaire Alfas begin
Another Alfa Romeo of great value is theAlfa Romeo Giulia TZ from 1965, racing car heir to the SZ, but with a 172 HP 1.6 engine.
This “Tubulare Zagato” was sold in London in 2022 by Gooding & Company for the equivalent of 1.425.025 euro.
Alfa Romeo 1900C SS Berlinetta Zagato (1955)
Alfa Romeo 1900C SS Berlinetta Zagato, the “millenove” in evening dress
Going a little further back in time we find another Alfa that was a millionaire, but unable to find a new owner at auction. RM Sotheby’s offers in 2016 a splendid one Alfa Romeo 1900C SS Berlinetta Zagato of 1955 estimating it to be the equivalent of 1,744,382 euros.
The compact coupe is one of the 39 built from the Milanese coachbuilder, it features a 1,975 cc and 116 HP engine and boasts a rich sporting career.
Alfa Romeo Tipo 256 Coupé (1939)
Photo at: Gooding & Company
Alfa Romeo Tipo 256 Coupé (1939), the only one in the Spider Siluro version
The first Alfa in this ranking to exceed two million euros is a rare one Alfa Romeo Tipo 256 Coupé from 1939, unique example with Touring bodywork that took part in the 1940 Mille Miglia in the Spider Siluro version.
The engine is the 2,443 cc inline six-cylinder 125 CV and it is sold nel 2019 a Pebble Beach da Gooding & Company per 2.669.873 euro.
Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Compressor Gran Sport Spider (1931)
Photo at: Bonhams
Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Compressore Gran Sport Spider (1931), Nuvolari also drove it
With theAlfa Romeo 6C 1750 1931 Gran Sport Spider Compressor we reach new heights of glory and value, thanks to the 2.984.831 euro of award nel 2014 da Bonhams and the authenticity of the car restored to the highest levels.
A true masterpiece signed once again Zagato that all great collectors would like in their garage.
Alfa Romeo Type B (1932)
Photo at: Bonhams
Alfa Romeo Tipo B (1932), that of Scuderia Ferrari
The first single-seater that we find in this ranking is theAlfa Romeo Type B of 1932, queen of the “Grand Prix” with a long racing history, including in the ranks of the Scuderia Ferrari.
The six-cylinder in-line engine develops 2,654 cc 215 CV. In 2018 Bonhams sold it at auction for a figure that corresponds to 5.541.461 euro.
Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale (1967-1969)
Photo by: Stellantis
Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale (1967-1969), the legendary original version
Franco Scaglione is the designer of this incredible Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale, an authentic Alfa Romeo rarity produced in just 18 examples from 1967 to 1969 with the 2.0 V8 naturally aspirated engine 230 CV.
The prototype is exhibited at the Alfa Romeo Historical Museum in Arese. It is not easy to establish a monetary value for this jewel, given that you rarely see a 33 Stradale for sale, but it is easy to imagine that a buyer today could spend an amount ranging from between 10 and 20 million euros.
Alfa Romeo B.A.T. 5, B.A.T. 7, B.A.T. 9d (1953, 1954, 1955)
Photo at: RM Sotheby’s
Alfa Romeo BAT 5, BAT 7, BAT 9d (1953, 1954, 1955). Three masterpieces of style
The triptych of Alfa Romeo BAT 5, 7 and 9 worth 17 million euros, the three concepts created by Carrozzeria Bertone, also earns a place in the empyrean of the most famous, precious, iconic and rare Alfa Romeos. based on Alfa Romeo 1900 between 1953 and 1955.
We are faced with three masterpieces boldly designed by Franco Scaglione to explore the stylistic and aerodynamic possibilities of the sports sedans of the early 1950s with the name “Berlina Aerodinamica Tecnica”.
Three sculptures on wheels that show an evolution from the more dreamy theme of wraparound fins to a more usable model on the road. The three cars that are part of the history of the Biscione brand and of Made in Italy were sold in 2020 by RM Sotheby’s for the equivalent of well 14.381.459 euro.
Alfa Romeo Tipo 159 “Alfetta” (1951)
Photo by: Stellantis
Alfa Romeo Tipo 159 (1951), the first queen of Formula 1
In the realm of the most precious and historically important cars, a champion like theAlfa Romeo 158/159 “Alfetta”the winning single-seaters of the first two Formula 1 world championships, in 1950 and 1951.
Its drivers were Nino Farina and Juan Manuel Fangio, champions capable of making this legendary single-seater win with an 8-cylinder in-line engine, double volumetric compressor, 1.5 liters of displacement and 425 CV.
Of the four examples of the Tipo 159 built, the most famous is kept in the Alfa museum in Arese and even in this case it is difficult to establish a value. If it is true that the almost rival Mercedes-Benz W196R was sold for almost 23 million euros, we can estimate a price including the Alfetta between 15 and 20 million euros.
Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Lungo Spider Touring (1939)
Photo at: RM Sotheby’s
Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Lungo Spider Touring (1939), the Italian sports car at its best
Returning to the world of certainties – and not estimates – we find the most precious of the Alfas sold at auction, the spectacular one Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Lungo Spider Touring of 1939 changed hands nel 2016 da RM Sotheby’s for the equivalent of 19.188.200 eurocipher record for the Italian brand.
This is one of 12 Spider Touring produced, with an 8-cylinder in-line engine with a double volumetric compressor producing over 180 HP, a masterpiece recognized throughout the world which represents the pinnacle of Italian sports cars of its generation. Just remember that in 2019 Artcurial sold an Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 B Touring Berlinetta for 16.3 million euros estimated between 16 and 22 million euros.
Source: it.motor1.com
