I thought this was a fun exercise. I've tried to think of the top 10 Mondial Facts and Myths - I've only put 9 in the fact and myth category...the 10th is up to you guys to respond with! Without further ado: Top 10 Mondial Myths 1) Was Ferrari’s entry-level car Was more expensive than the 308/328 which were actually the real ‘entry level’ cars in the lineup 2) Slow This is the fault of 2 of the 3 major US publications that had lukewarm performance results for the Mondial 8 35 years ago. 1 of the 3 of the publication had great results … all subsequent articles on the qv, 3.2 and t had great performance stats on par with the competition. 3) Unsuccessful model One of the most successful models in Ferrari history, selling over 6,000 examples 4) Unusable rear seats No more inadequate than most 2+2 of the time. It will not be comfortable – but very functional if the folks riding are not very tall 5) Maintenance Nightmare Only cars that have been neglected, they are mechanically similar to the 308/328/348 – a properly maintained one is relatively reliable 6) Not a ‘real’ Ferrari Every bit of a Ferrari with the exact same engine as the 308/328/348, and was designed by Pininfarina 7) Handles Poorly Many formal articles often praised is handling, and there are many mentions that it handled better than the 308/328 8) Universally panned ascetically Pictures simply don’t seem to do justice to these cars. I’ve received overwhelmingly positive comments on and off the street. 9) They are ‘cheap’ Latest auction prices for pristine examples have come in near or over $100,000 10) (Your Turn!) *** Top 10 Mondial Facts 1) Only mid-engine, 4 seat convertible in the world 2) Side strakes are ‘real and functional’ not decorative 3) Was a PPG Pace car for Indy 4) Direct successor to the 308 GT4 5) Many Ferrari “Firsts” (Adjustable Shocks, Valeo, ABS, Power Steering) 6) Gives you full access to full access Ferrari owner perks, such as Track Events, owners only tours of the museum, clubs and associations 7) Can be maintained by owners reasonably well (8, qv, 3.2) 8) Has been consistently updated throughout its 14-year lifecycle – with 4 different car models 9) Many famous previous owners like Michael J Fox, Rod Steward, and Ice-T. 10) (Your Turn!) *** Hope you guys find this fun..interested to see what other "Facts and Myths" you guys can come up with.
Fact 10) You'll have God's blessing when driving a Mondial. Pope John Paul II changed his 'Popemobile' for a Ferrari Mondial Cabriolet when he visited Fiorano, Italy, in 1988. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
number ten It sounds like a Ferrari! That's all that matters. We were at a local car show and one of the judges asked if it was the original radio. I answered " I don't know and it is broken anyhow. Why would you listen to a radio when there is a symphony orchestra performing right behind you. Man are they cool!!!
I've read that when lurking on some non Ferrari forums. I've even seen people post and claim "they know first hand"! LOL. I was tempted to interject, but chose not to.
If you connect a doll to your computer and wear a bra on your head an incredibly beautiful woman will appear and deliver a Mondial to your driveway Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
2+2's always seem to get a bad rap. Just the nature of F world. I always did prefer the black tb body style. Just looks stunning. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Also like the deep dish rear wheels, hiding some pretty wide tires I suspect! As to handling, the suspension is sensitive to adjustment and as a mid engine car, too much throttle can cause some oversteer (not nearly as dastardly as the rear engine 911 of the mid 80s, especially the 930's). A little more rear tire (or a little more rear camber) will certainly help. Regards, Jerry
I have a 1986 Mondial Cab and the best thing to happen was an upgrade to 348 rims and 17" tires; the original Michelin TRX are figuratively stone age rubber, Upgrade! the new rubber transforms the car. Note you'll need longer studs for 348 wheels than stock
Uh, depends when. Before the rear end begins to step out, OK, afterwards, the exact wrong thing to do. Just ask any old 911 owner about trailing throttle oversteer, or "now I can see where I just came from".......... And don't forget, this was one of the last Ferrari's signed off on by the big guy himself... Regards, Jerry
Not one, but two different 3.2 Mondial cab's in two Steve Martin movies (Father of the Bride 2, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels)
Fact? The Mondial Cabriolet is the only regular production, four seat, mid-engine convertible ever made. (Porsche 911 is rear engine) Image Unavailable, Please Login
The "t" was home to other Ferrari firsts: It used power assisted steering for the first time, and had a 3-position electronically controlled suspension for a variable trade off between ride quality and road holding. It also had standard ABS. The Mondial was the first Ferrari car where the entire engine/gearbox/rear suspension assembly is on a detachable steel subframe. The 't' configuration was used by Ferrari's Formula One cars of the 1980s, and would be the standard for the marque's future mid-engined V8 cars, beginning with the 348, introduced later. The company has not produced a mid-engined 2+2 car since.
Top 10 Mondial Myths 1) Was Ferrari’s entry-level car Was more expensive than the 308/328 which were actually the real ‘entry level’ cars in the lineup 2) Slow This is the fault of 2 of the 3 major US publications that had lukewarm performance results for the Mondial 8 35 years ago. 1 of the 3 of the publication had great results … all subsequent articles on the qv, 3.2 and t had great performance stats on par with the competition. 3) Unsuccessful model One of the most successful models in Ferrari history, selling over 6,000 examples 4) Unusable rear seats No more inadequate than most 2+2 of the time. It will not be comfortable – but very functional if the folks riding are not very tall 5) Maintenance Nightmare Only cars that have been neglected, they are mechanically similar to the 308/328/348 – a properly maintained one is relatively reliable 6) Not a ‘real’ Ferrari Every bit of a Ferrari with the exact same engine as the 308/328/348, and was designed by Pininfarina 7) Handles Poorly Many formal articles often praised is handling, and there are many mentions that it handled better than the 308/328 8) Universally panned ascetically Pictures simply don’t seem to do justice to these cars. I’ve received overwhelmingly positive comments on and off the street. 9) They are ‘cheap’ Latest auction prices for pristine examples have come in near or over $100,000 1) Yup, if it didnt have 12 cylinders it was lumped into a large group at the time 2) Nonsense 3) 2+2's of the day is not what the general Ferrari buyer was looking for 4) Perfect for the young family or ones with Pets 5) Any bubble gum maintained Ferrari looks better in the neighbors driveway, bar none 6) Nonsense 7) The perfect wheel base and track for its size. Apples to apples, it is faster on the track than a 308 in the same condition 8) Personal preference 9) I Hope that holds correct....... a Mondial is my next Ferrari. Any cheap T cabs out there?
