One hundred thousand dollars. The figure is symbolic for a Alfa Romeo 4C, a car whose new price started out much lower. However, when a very rare 4C Spider 33 Stradale Tributo reached exactly $100,000 at auction this September 2026, the hammer did not fall. The reserve price set by the seller had not been met. After 33 bids, the seller therefore chose to keep the car rather than accept that amount.
Yet this particular car had some serious selling points. Just 2,100 miles—about 3,400 km—and, most importantly, a number that changes everything: 14 out of 33. That’s because this 4C is part of an extremely limited series designed for the North American market to celebrate the legendary 1967 Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale, but also to mark the end of the 4C's production run.
A 4C Class That's Not Quite Like the Others
Unveiled for the 2020 model year, the 4C Spider 33 Stradale Tributo arrived well before the new supercar Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale unveiled in 2023. In its own way, it was already signaling the return of this prestigious name to the brand’s modern history.
The transformation is primarily aesthetic, but executed with great care. The body features a three-layer Rosso Villa d’Este paint job, paired with 18- and 19-inch wheels with a gold finish. The mirror housings, air intakes, and various other components are made of carbon fiber. Even more spectacular is the red carbon fiber on the monocoque, visible from inside the cabin, complemented by seats that combine Tobacco leather and black Alcantara. A plaque mounted on the center console, of course, highlights the car’s unique character and its number 14.
Under the bodywork, however, Alfa Romeo did not set out to reinvent the 4C. It features the same 1.75-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 240 ch and 350 Nm, mounted in the mid-engine position and paired with a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. This particular model also features an Akrapovič titanium exhaust system.
$83,040 new, $100,000 rejected today
The original sales document displayed with this car lists a total price of $83,040 when it was new. Six years later, bidders went significantly higher: in the final minutes, bids rose from $81,000 to $90,000, then to $95,500, $97,562, and finally $100,000. However, that final bid was not enough: «Reserve not met,» Bring a Trailer noted at the close of the auction.
The highest bidder's reaction sums up this unexpected outcome quite well: he called it disappointing, then invited the seller to contact him. A few minutes later, the seller indicated that he had, in fact, sent him an offer, suggesting that negotiations could continue privately.
Why turn down $100,000? The comments offer a clue. Several participants pointed out that another 33 Stradale Tributo had sold for $115,000 in February 2026, while the 33rd of 33 had previously fetched $200,000. Long considered a radical yet imperfect small sports car—with its carbon-fiber monocoque, mid-engine layout, and featherweight design—it is clearly beginning to change its status. When it comes to the 33 Stradale Tributo, some owners already seem to feel that $100,000 is no longer a sufficient reason to sell.
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