Mystique

I too am baffled by the "thumbs down" on Mystique, when it appears the poster is trying to speak to it.

Regardless, whilst I've never owned a Mondial, I do appreciate all the enthusiastic owners that I occasionally run into at Ferrari or C&C events.

The Mondials were never about great performance, but they are visceral Ferraris in their own way with the gated 5-speed shifter, etc.

Love them or hate them, the best attribute of the Mondial is its affordability in terms of purchase & maintainability. If that aspect goes away, then the car will become a much lesser vehicle in my opinion.

 

Funny thing in period the Mondial QV and T and 3.4 were regarded as the best ferrari. Soemhtign to do with the sound of the motor at full chat with the top down in a tunnel. Like the 308GT4 it was regarded as better driving than the regular 2 seater.

 

Hello, looks beautiful to me!

 

Who is trashing them?

On the contrary, I made it clear the owners of these cars are very enthusiastic Ferrari owners and that the cars are visceral Ferraris.

Since you once again are bringing up money, perhaps the real purpose of your post is to try and drive the prices for your own benefit. And that would be a shame.

I stand by my assertion that affordability is the best asset of the car and I mean in a positive way. The Mondial allows people of "ordinary" means to enjoy a real Ferrari, instead of it being condemned to some rich person's "collection" as we've all seen too often with Ferraris of that era.

 

By the way: Beautiful car

 

Hi Chris

I Love the analogy you have drawn here!!

I have an 85 QV coupe. you are right, the Mondial drives, sounds and feels like nothing else. Its all Ferrari, with no compromises.

As for affordability, that isn't a good measure of any Ferrari. After all, a 25K Mondial may be pocket change for some, while simultaneously being unreachable by a lot of people. Likewise, a brand new 458 may be affordable to some, but not others.

And finally, I suspect many Mondial owners, as well as owners of other Ferraris, didn't acquire that particular model for reasons of affordability. Rather some other reason, such as a passion for older cars, or the desire to own a car that can be easily maintained at home.

sid

 

I get it, some cars have an aura of legend about them.

I read all the road tests back in the day. The cold hard truth was that Porsche was typically faster and better than the Ferraris we got here in the US. But, I remember my first Ferrari sighting -- red 308 GTS Quattrovalvole in 1985, parked -- and it instantly made everything else on the road forgettable.

That said, I don't get that rush looking at an FF. Nice car, yes. Dream car, no. I fantasized for years about driving a 308, Countach and Boxer, because those cars were a finger in the eye of convention, and impossibly tiny and sculpted. Maybe there are just too many 360s, Gallardos et al and I've just become jaded. Maybe those 44" low cars can't be built anymore.

The Mondial has those delicate '80s proportions and details, and still does look exotic and Italian. I don't love it as much as the two seaters, but it is a treat to see one these days when it really stands out. Rare car.

 

I still have most all those road tests from the 80's about Ferrari and Porsche - usually the Porsche's were better built and easier to live with - but the 308 QV kinda started to change the opinion. David E Davis was a complainer - but owned a 308.... anyhow... Mystique goes with History. you cant have it without a very positive history.

if it was not for the Racing - and Mr. Ferrari's personal saga ( whether real or created ) Ferrari would have just been another italian car company like Lamborghini, Pagani, Stangulini, Lancia, Monteverdi, Iso, etc.... The other thing is how the cars look... they have always had a curious shape especially when you look at other cars here in the USA.

I think today's current Ferrari's are some of the more bland looking ones, but when you consider all the cars made today - they are kinda bland... back in the 60's -80's when you saw a Ferrari- it looked like nothing else period.

In 1980 I saw a 308 in Pittsburgh - it was like a space ship. it was so cool... the FF is not so amazing ... but the F-12 and 458 are pretty special, they are starting to get back the wild / different sexy look of Ferrari's in the past. however if you see a 599 or 550 or 360/430... my opinion is they are just blandish. they are fast as hell, but bland.

 

Chris, first of all, let me compliment you on owning a fantastic Mondial cabriolet. Classic beauty and wonderful color combo.

There are a lot of things I see written and associated with "mystique" that I don't quite understand. Why can't a 4 seater, practical Ferrari be desirable and fast? I believe that doesn't dent Enzo's mystique one bit. The old man himself frequently travelled in his 400. I believe Diesels, plug-ins and SUVs are indeed completely contrary to what the brand has always stood for.

But it is a wonderful thing to be able to enjoy a Ferrari with your family. Nothing wrong with that imho.

Kind regards,

Nuno.

 

Actually Enzo traveled back and forth from Modena to Maranello every day in either a Fiat or Peugeot and sometimes a Mini. He rarely used a Ferrari car.

When he did use a Ferrari - it was normally a 2+2 - 330 or 365. He may have had access to a 400 but I dont think he used it much. and he always had a driver from the early 60's on.

he did drive cars - tested them - on a routine basis in the 50's and early 60's - great picture of him in a 250 SWB...

 

I loved my 'Mongrel', and so did the pooch!

The FF just misses the mark on so many levels.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Nice.
Any car too "nice" for the dog to ride in loses half the fun.