With the introduction of the new Alfa Romeo Tonale, one might be forgiven for thinking that the Torinese brand has forgotten its heritage. Aside from the Stelvio and Giulia Quadrifoglio models, the brand's contemporary offerings are nowhere near as sporting as they once were. Some company execs have said the sporty image will be shed further, but CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato has promised the company will soon return to its glory days and build vehicles like the bewitching 8C Spider you see here.
Just 500 units were ever made, and this Rosso 8C metallic-painted example is just one of 35 ever to make it to the US. For the Alfisti, this is as good as it gets and a must-have for any serious Alfa collector. RM Sotheby's has the pleasure of offering this very vehicle for sale at its upcoming Monterey auction.
The 8C's sole owner, the late Oscar Davis, mollycoddled the roofless rarity from new and drove it sparingly, with the odometer reflecting a mere 3,733 miles.
Widely considered to be one of the most beautiful cars of the 21st century, the 8C has the bite to match its dramatic bark. Under the sculpted hood, there lives a Maserati-sourced 4.7-liter V8 with 444 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. Perhaps not quite as powerful as modern-day supercars, the Alfa strikes back with a V8 growl so thunderous it could send security alarms into a panic. Still, 0 to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds and a top speed of 180 mph are rather impressive.
The 8C Spider sports the much-loathed Superfast gearbox - a transmission that is as frustrating to use as the bodywork is beautiful to look at. It may be the same 'box used in the Ferrari 599, but contemporary automotive journalists often expressed frustration over the six-speed's recalcitrant demeanor. Still, it's a small price to pay for such a gorgeous piece of automotive art.
Speaking of pricing, RM Sotheby's estimates that the Alfa will sell for between $300,000 and $400,000, which is worth it when you consider the rarity.
Inside, the sports seats are trimmed in plush red leather, offset by carbon fiber trimmings that festoon the cabin. Slivers of aluminum brighten the black dashboard. The window sticker indicates the 8C Spider was specified with a few choice extras, including the Dark Silver 20-inch wheels.
The intricate rims veil the carbon ceramic brakes, which feature aluminum-colored calipers. Elsewhere, you'll note the 8C proudly wears the Quadrifoglio badge on its front fenders as a tribute to the company's heritage. It's not often that one of these comes up for sale, especially in this condition. If you have the wherewithal and have an intense desire to own this specific Spider, it will be sold at the Monterey Conference Center event, which takes place between 18 - 20 August.
While we're unlikely to see another 8C again, the company has confirmed that an all-new supercar will arrive by next year. If it's half as beautiful as the Spider seen here, Alfa will be on to a winner.