Alfa Romeo Brings Its Most Expensive Trophy to Monterey

The reborn Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale, limited to just 33 examples, made its North American debut at Monterey Car Week. As always, viewing was restricted to the chosen few, and the chance to buy one had passed long before the covers came off.

Alfa is intent on shaping its brand narrative around craftsmanship, “timeless beauty,” and whispered secrets from its Formula 1 engineers. In this case, though, the story revolves around an ultra-limited series rolled out at events where cocktails accompany the sight of a car affordable only to collectors with an extra string of zeros in their bank accounts.

Over the course of the week, the 33 Stradale appeared on four stages: at the lavish Motorlux party alongside private jets and classic machines, in the curated setting of the Hagerty House, on the manicured lawns of Quail Lodge, and finally at Laguna Seca, where Alfa invoked a racing heritage that today feels more nostalgic than contemporary.

The machine itself is undeniably impressive on numbers alone: a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 with 630 horsepower, 0–100 km/h in under three seconds, and a top speed of 333 km/h. The carbon monocoque carries upward-opening doors and a cockpit that is minimalist, almost nostalgically analogue. Production is entrusted to Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera, ensuring each car is essentially a commissioned artwork—and all 33 are long sold out.

Throughout the week, the marketing refrain was constant: renacimiento, artesanía, pura pasión italiana. Yet the reality remains: the 33 Stradale is not Alfa Romeo’s future, but rather a trophy for its most loyal or wealthiest devotees. The brand’s other models were present, but inevitably relegated to supporting roles as all eyes locked on the car that 99.9 percent of attendees will never own.