| Author | Message | ||
| 89TCab (Jmg)
Member Username: Jmg Post Number: 405 Registered: 9-2001 |
The blocks cover impact absorber supports to pass US regs. The Euro T models do not have these... - JMG | ||
| John Delvac (Johndelvac)
Member Username: Johndelvac Post Number: 284 Registered: 11-2001 |
My guess is the blocks are a mounting place for a euro license plate. The front of this car is identical to a 328GTS/B (see my profile). The 328GTS/B has a god awful mounting bracket kit for the front license plate that covers the horse. My guess it that the GTS/B separate bracket was a fix to solve the "block" look of the 3.2 Mondial. Remember, this car came out as the tester for the 328 engine, and later the Mondial T was the tester for the 348 engine. I think. | ||
| Jim E (Jimpo1)
Intermediate Member Username: Jimpo1 Post Number: 1486 Registered: 7-2001 |
Those blocks are actually covers for the barrels of the machine guns. That car is the "James Bond Edition". I always wondered what they were too. | ||
| Michael Davidson (Cabrio_fan)
New member Username: Cabrio_fan Post Number: 35 Registered: 3-2002 |
Thanks. I was curious about those. I hope to get my own set of blocks down the road with the rest of the Mondial attached! Hope you don't mind I borrowed yours for an example, TomD. Great looking car. | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
Advanced Member Username: Tifosi Post Number: 3076 Registered: 9-2001 |
that car looks familiar  I have to look closly but I think it is for strength | ||
| David S (Djs308)
Junior Member Username: Djs308 Post Number: 106 Registered: 9-2002 |
Now as for the Countach, it was slightly different. Yes, the blocks were put there to meet 5mph regs. In addition, there was a problem regarding height. The front bumper was TOO LOW!! The concern was that if a Countach rear-ended another vehicle, it would go plowing underneath. Not a good thing if you're driving the Lambo. Unfortunately, the designers at Bertone were unable to elegantly solve this problem for the US cars (IMO). Most of them went to Europe anyway (with the smooth front end) so they didn't seem to care that much about the US bumper problem. Some of the US cars had the bumpers body colored which, I think, reduced the "ugly mustache" look. All that changed when the Diablo arrived. No changes were needed as the car met US regs from the beginning. | ||
| David S (Djs308)
Junior Member Username: Djs308 Post Number: 105 Registered: 9-2002 |
I'm going to take a guess. I think you're correct in that it's to meet the 5mph bumper rule for the US. If I remember correctly, Ferrari improved the effectiveness of the bumpers when the 328, Mondial 3.2 came out (as opposed to the 308 system). They were able to make them flush and still meet regulations. The "blocks" are assisting in this regard. Take a look at a Euro version of a 328, Mondial 3.2 and those "blocks" do not exist above the grill, just as Euro 308s have "thinner" bumpers vs. US versions. | ||
| Michael Davidson (Cabrio_fan)
New member Username: Cabrio_fan Post Number: 30 Registered: 3-2002 |
Hi, I'm a huge Mondial Cabriolet nut, er... enthusiast. Something has been bugging me and I thought I might as well ask. What are those two blocks that sit on top of the front grill on a Mondial? IMO, they break up the lines on the front of the car. Do they serve a purpose? I remember the mid-80s Lamborghini Countach had a similar set of blocks, albeit much larger, that served as 5mph bumpers. The Mondial blocks don't appear to be big enough for that. Any ideas? I'd like to borrow TomD's photo to help illustrate. Thanks TomD! That's a beautiful car. Mike  |