by Modern Alfa Romeo Icons
The new $2 million Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale is currently on display at the Petersen Museum in Los Angeles, where the cleaners probably have to regularly wipe up puddles of drool. But in another part of California, two more modern Alfa Romeo icons are making fans of the brand salivate, this time due to their “as new” condition and minimal mileage.
Rare Specimens
Between 2008 and 2010, only 500 Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione coupes were built, and only 90 of them were officially sold in the USA. To that, add 500 examples of the 8C Spider convertible, 35 of which made it to America.
A Collector’s Dream
A wealthy Alfa Romeo enthusiast from the US bought one of each; the cars were sent directly from the dealer to the owner’s private museum, where they have remained ever since. The Spider’s odometer shows just 19 miles (31 km), and the Competizione is even fresher — its mileage is only 10 miles (16 km) since production. Essentially, both cars have what is known as “delivery mileage.”
Comparison with the Newcomer
Neither 8C has the wow factor of the new 33 Stradale, as they lack gullwing doors and a mid-engine layout. But at auto shows in 2006 (coupe) and 2008 (Spider), they were recognized as some of the most beautiful cars in the world, and time has not diminished their appeal.
Technical Features
Both models are based on the platform of the 2000s Maserati Coupe and a version of the 4.7-liter V8 engine built by Ferrari, which shares similarities with the Ferrari 430 engine but uses a cross-plane crankshaft instead of a flat-plane one for a more bassy sound.
The engine produces 444 hp (450 PS) and 354 lb-ft (480 Nm), which is sent to the rear wheels via a clunky automated manual transmission with paddle shifters. Alfa never offered the 8C with a manual gearbox, although a Swiss company developed a modification with a manual transmission.
Exterior and Cost
Finished in classic Rosso Alfa with red leather, carbon fiber bucket seats, and 20-inch cloverleaf-shaped alloy wheels, the 8Cs look as if they just rolled off the auto show stage. From the window sticker, it’s clear the owner paid Maserati San Francisco $305,675 in 2008 for the coupe, equivalent to $459 thousand in 2025 money. Thanks to such low mileage, they could recoup that amount, and you could potentially buy both for less than half the price of a new 33 Stradale.
The Final Choice
If you’ve ever dreamed of putting a pair of brand-new Alfa Romeos in your garage and annoying every Cars and Coffee attendee within a five-mile radius, now is your chance. The only question is: which keys will you grab first?
These two cars not only embody rarity and aesthetics but also demonstrate how investments in limited series can maintain or even increase their value over the years. Their history and condition make them perfect exhibits for museums or collections, where they can continue to inspire new generations of car enthusiasts.
