So I [almost] bought a Ferrari [Mondial 3.2 Coupe] Sight Unseen for $2000

It's still the deal of the century, but, if it's grey (but not CA legal) or BLACK market (no DOT, no EPA), it would be insane to futz with CA. Resell it to a good home (europe if black; another state if non-CA), and use the $s towards something F you can use now -- win for the car/win for you - JMO...

 

Congrats Dubels! Enjoy it in good health! Despite all the crap on it, looks pretty good overall - interior in particular.

LOL - this thread really brought out some miserable people. Too funny!

 

LOL! Nice.

 

Congrats! Very cool find.

Regarding Smog, the license plate (or last registration) on the car will tell you everything. The fact that it has registration penalties owing is actually good news since it shows that its been registered in the US. In any situation, it is extremely unlikely that a car was not Federalized (i.e. formally imported into the US).

California smog is demonized, but basically its just that the emission standards are higher and more strictly enforced than other States.

It took a while for Ferrari to figure out how to optimize their emissions equipment and a lot of the older Ferraris struggle to stay compliant. By 1986, I would expect that the technology would have been worked out.

 

This may have been covered (sorry if this is a repeat thought). In CA, the seller must smog a vehicle. I am not sure what the remedy for failure to do that is. Could be rescission, could be money damages, could be administrative fine, could be all three (first two being an option of the buyer).

The sellers probably know this. It would make sense they would sell for a low price and to someone who is a friend because you are unlikely to come back to them or get them in trouble with the DMV.

Just a thought.

 

And sometimes rescuing an orphan, and spending the price difference between the purchase price and the market price, will get you a friend for life!

If you're just buying this because it's a cheap Ferrari, it'll probably end in tears... If you've always dreamed of Ferrari - your dream may be coming true! Good luck!

 

My understanding is that you can still sell/buy a car without passing smog, its just that you can't register it. Normally that means the buyer can't (legally) test drive it etc. Once you get it compliant, all you have to do is apply to the DMV for reregistration (with a valid smog test in hand) and pay the penalties. These "as-is" terms can be written into the Bill of Sale (warning: I am not a lawyer. YMMV).

If it has been registered in California, you can type in the VIN on the DMV website to see the results of prior smog tests. Its an on-line system.

 

Not so much. The Bosch CIS fuel distributor on US 3.2 vs euro 3.2 are different animals, and the typical "modification" for the euro to add Lambda functionality was/is quite cheesy -- and CA emission limits (in some areas) have been reduced vs what they were in the 80s. Not saying that it can't be done, but selling the euro Mondial3.2 (as-is) and buying a US Mondial3.2 might be less work/$s in the long-run - JMO.

 

Wow. Which year did the retro standards change? I am only aware of the change to the "dynamometer" test about 10 years ago, which, seems to me, should be easier for our cars to pass compared to the static test.

 

I will! Good luck with this find. You did make it hard to believe. If you want to sell it let me know! I triple your money in a blink

 

I was one of the disbelievers. I still am. Remember guys, this is not a 308.
Congratulations Dubels on finding a $2000 Mondial. If you still want it.

I agree with Big Red and others to part it out or pass. To reiterate previous comments with modest estimates:

cost $2000
major $5000
wheels/tires $3000 (whether you go with new TRX or repro rims and good tires)
$1500 buff out scratches from car being used as a shelf... providing they will come out or new paint $10000-$15000
suspension bushings, electrics, brake caliper rebuilds, smog compliance and whatever else goes with an abandoned car $$$$$$

Remember the old adage. "There is no such thing as a cheap Ferrari"

 

Want income?

Throw it on Ebay as is, reserve price $8000, sold in 7 days.

Unless you really want to restore and drive this car, you should flip it.

 

I call that Mondial a NIGHTMARE....If he feels like that is the only way to get a Ferrari Cheap, He needs a LOT more MONEY....if he wants to drive it........

It would be Cheaper to buy one already Running...they are Not that Expensive, This Mondial would Be though........But HEY, to each his own....If you got time, Years and Money then restore this one......Good Luck

 

Conrats Dubel, nice find! No matter what other say this is a rescuable car. My 308 was in MUCH worst condition when I bought it and it is still the love of my life as a car.

Keep it or sell it but DON'T part it out. If you can't let someone else bring it back to life.

I'd be a buyer for that car anytime if the price was right and many other here too.

A Mondial 3.2 is a good car, I owned one and drove it a lot for the time I had it and it was a fun car that I enjoyed. Easy to maintain for a DIY guy.

 

This entire thread is suspect. It makes no sense why the Ferrari owner would not list the car on ebay, or ask the dealer they bought their new "luxury car" to take it off their hands. Will be interesting to see documentation of the car being purchased for 2k.

 

He got it cheap because of the Labor Day special SALE.

 

What does a dealer want with a car that may not pass smog? May be gray mkt. dealer has a lot more to lose in ca than joe public.

 

I will be surprised if we see any evidence of such a car being sold for 2k.

 

the badge is from an italian sport car dealer near Naples in Italy
it still exists today!

 

Congrats, Dubels!

Do whatever you want with it. Just have it checked out by a good mechanic who can give you a rundown on what it needs to get running. It may not be much. The bottom line is that you won't know til it's inspected.

My Euro GTB hadn't run for years and all I did is replace the fuel lines, flush the tanks, replace all of the coolant hoses and one oil line, mystery oil the cylinders after scoping them to ensure no valve issues, inspect but not change the timing belts, change oil and gearbox oil, then fired right up. Since then flushed coolant three times, oil and filter twice after a 100 miles each, and runs like a champ. Still some issues but nothing pressing. For my car, DIY, got it running for less than $1000 after 10+ years of sitting.

I wish you all the best! Don't let people crap on your parade when they know even less than you do about your car.

Hannibal

 

+1

 

This is exactly my thinking. If you need support we are here!

 

Or, perhaps even $10-12K ??

Personally, this is what I would do.

 

Dubels: If it's a runner or can be made into one for $10k or less, then I'd say keep it.

In the unlikely event that it's already a runner or just needs minor work such as a battery or the like, and if you are the seller's family attorney, then you may need to think about paying them more for the car. The legal ethics boards might really question buying a valuable asset from an apparently ignorant client (didn't even know what kind of Ferrari it was, thought it had four engines, etc) at massively below market value. Just something to consider.

As a Ferrari nut who is buying a (show quality, low miles, running) Mondial for about 15x what you paid, I'm pulling for you.

 

I am not the kind of person that wants a car that is perfect, has all of the service records, has won many awards etc. For me, the thrill is tearing it apart, checking everything out, upgrading, restoring and putting it all back together. I have learned that there is more fun in the hunt than in the kill. This makes owning and driving the car even more fun.

Hope you enjoy the ride.