88 Mondial Cabrio part

Folks, I've recently purchased an 88 Mondial Cabriolet and have encountered my first broken part. The 2 hooks/knuckles, whatever they're called, that attach to the top of the windshield with two screws each, one of them broke in half while trying to connect the soft top to the windshield. The parts houses that I've already contacted want to sell me the entire soft top attachment kit, this part, toggle latches, etc, for $475.00 and up. Anyone have a suggestion where to find this part? Many thanks, Dan

 

Sorry to hear about the broken part on you new baby. Unless I'm reading it incorrectly, it is the catch that stays affixed to the windscreen frame that broke on your car. I'd keep an eye on E-Bay for a while. Just a couple of weeks ago there was a guy selling an incomplete latch assembly which included the catch you're looking for. I believe it went for well under $100. I've seen the catches sold alone as well every once and a while. If you can't wait, Ricambi has the complete latch assembly for $358

Also, there is an F-chatter that sells much stronger latch supports (not what you need...yet) which are a usual suspect for breakage. His name is Ron Frohock, and here's a thread about the latches: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=201928&highlight=Ron+Frohock

Best of luck, and enjoy the Mondial!!!

 

If I remember right you should find these parts from Alfa Romeo Spider (not the new one), entire roof is from Alfa, only that Ferrari have longer length of structure.

 

I'm not sure if this is correct, but the Alfa part and the Ferrari part seem to differ. Below you'll see pics of the Alfa part from International Auto Parts and the Ferrari part from Ricambi. (As fragile as these parts are, I'd rather not try to take it off my '86 for a photo.) The catch does look similar, but not exactly the same shape. However, the Alfa catch is "only" $45.00 at International, and maybe they'd let you return it if it doesn't fit.
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Based on the little knowledge I have about replacing parts on any Ferrari, it's taboo to use anything but original parts. However, because this latch could be a frequently replaced part, wouldn't a stainless steel fabrication painted black be a viable alternative? Thanks

 

That's exactly what Ron Frohock did with the latch parts. If you figure out a way to get it machined/cast/fabricated, I'm sure there's a lot of us (including me) that would buy them at a reasonable price.

 

when I bought my mondial about a year ago the latch broke in the first week I had it
I bought new ones from ricambi and they been fine since

 

You know what - I think Ricambi does have them! Although we're all talking about 3.2's, if you look up a Mondial T you'll find part # 61758600 - which is the "striker" or catch that attaches to the windscreen frame. It sure looks like the same part to me, and for $33.00 sounds like a relatively good deal. Strange that they only seem to offer the whole assembly for the 3.2. On the other hand, I only looked online and I bet they'd get the part like they did for MondialMike if I had called. Good luck Dan, and thanks MondialMike.

 

Mondial Mike,
You are correct! That part number 61758600 at Ricambi is the part number for the latch I needed. I bought two. Incidentally, the part description is for a Mondial T, but actually works for all Mondial Cabrios. Thanks to all who responded.
Dan