Mondial Elite series

Yes, I think you are right. IIRC, the ONLY cars Ferrari made with black grills were built in 1980 and only Euro Spec. I don't think any of them are official US cars.

 

Sorry, I have to correct you, the body colored grilles were initiated with the Mondial 8 and ended with the Mondial 8, as none of the QV's and 3.2's had black grilles, which were all the same until the T was introduced in 1989.

 

Good catch, Russ! They do appear to be the 3.2 wheels.

 

Yes! I may have to get that model, as it seems an almost exact replica of my late Mondial!
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3.2 conversion

If anone has a Kyosho 328 around, I am a buyer -- I am going to look at putting a 328 grill and back bumper on this jewel, as well as the engine, to replicate a 3.2.

 

Also - has anyone else noticed that the windows are partially down on the model? - that is very different.

Probably a fusebox problem.

 

Actually all Mondial wheels have the same offset and crossfit to each other. The change in 86 on the 3.2 for the metric sized wheels and later on the 16" wheels was primarily just a clean up of the styling. You are correct that one reason the Mondial wheel looks as it does is to provide a very large offset to give a 'zero scrub radius' to the ABS. This was also done in the pre-abs cars as zero scrub radius reduces the static turning resistance and makes the heavy Mondial with the early 240 section tires a bit easier to turn at slow speeds.
The concave wheels are typically thought of as the 16" 308QV and especially the 328 wheels which are not ABS friendly and have different offsets.

Bet that was more than you wanted to know.

 

I was just going by what was said in the latest issue of Forza magazine. Of course I could have understood wrong.

 

After comparing the model to the real deal, it seems that the model has very thick black window frames which appear to be less realistic on the model... Hotwheels, you could have done a better job! Again I just hope that the Super Elite has a better realistic look. Fingers crossed!

 

I agree. Kyosho does a much better job on the window frames. You will clearly notice that difference when you compare the window frames on the Kyosho F40 against the Elite F40. Again, I hope Kyosho comes out with its own (hopefully 3.2) Mondial. I believe that the biggest improvement with the Elites is simply the deeper red paint color.

I also want to give Hotwheels credit for having taken the initiative to finally produce a Mondial. Let's be honest, the Mondial has never been the most popular Ferrari in the line-up (we are the few who truly appreciate its beauty) and I honestly don't know how well the Mondial Elite will sell. I do know that I will purchase about 5 of them.

 

I don’t know if everyone agrees with me, but I have a deep respect for any Ferrari that bears the badge on its nose, even the Mondial and the 308gt4 cars. I do believe that makes me a real Ferrari enthusiast… Agree?

PS… Yes, I too give a big thanks to Mattel for stepping up to the plate for producing the Mondial first!

 

Kyosho shipped yesterday 328 GTB in red to us. We should get them on Monday.

 

thanks - I'll be in touch.

With reference to the Elite vs non-Elite series, I'm hopeful that it is more than color - can anyone give a direct side-to-side comparison to se what we are getting for the extra $100?

 

In addition to the higher quality exterior finish, the Elite series contain more detailed engine bays, cloth seats and photo etched parts.

 

the tires look a little too fat to me

 

I find the fat tires on the Mondial 8 not nearly as disturbing as the fat tires on the Elite 599 GTB.

 

bump
Any word on the Mondial?

 

It should be released early next month. So Basically in two weeks or so they will be available. PM ME!

 

Thanks - still at Norwood's for the new heads.

I just saw at www.littlebolide.com website that they would have the Mattel Mondial available 31 Jan 2008.

 

Why does it has the stupid "US exhaust grill" at the back?
Hope it is removeble.

 

Hmmm - you are right.
That is interesting as it has the Euro position lights.
Maybe it's Swiss...

 

Don't they do research when they produce a new model.
All these "mistakes" like the wrong wheels.

Can't be a matter of time, we waited almost 25 years for a nice Mondial 8 model.