I officially declare the Mondial as beautiful

Lazily surfing the net at Mondi pics, came across this and something immediately struck me.

Given the 355 is generally recognised as one of the most beautiful Ferrari’s made and the Mondial draws debate on being one of the ….”less beautiful”, it amazed me just how similar they looked in this pic. Perhaps the wheels help here, but even so, remarkable similarity.

Apologies for offending any F355 members but delighted to lift my fellow Mondial ones (although we generally don’t need much convincing on the beauty of our cars ).
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Gorgeous!

Forgive me if it was mentioned too and I missed it, but is your Mondi lowered at all? It looks menacing from that angle!

 

The Mondial is WAY more beautiful than the 355! I also don't mean to ruffle feathers of 355 (or 348) owners, but I've never been a fan of those cars. To me they look indistinguishable from every other 90's sports car. Kind of "fast and furious" looking things. They don't really stand out from the crowd in my opinion. The Mondial and it's predecessor, the 308 GT4, are WEIRD looking cars. Very idiosyncratic and kind of "off" in some ways, but that's what makes them so cool and beautiful.
Incidentally, I was talking cars recently with a fellow who owns a 275 GTB/4. I was discussing my decision to purchase another Mondial over a 456. He agreed, saying the Mondial was more quirky and unique looking, while the 456 looks a lot like a modern Camaro. I still love the 456, but I thought he had a good point.

 

That's a t Coupe and, to me, a 2 plus 2 348/355 (notice the fenders on both).

Pretty sure that photo is from someone here on FerrariChat.

Very nicely presented as well.

 

Is it an MR2? The stunning beauty of a Mondial makes it hard to see anything else!

Sid

P.S - To all you 355 Owners - Just kidding. I happen to think the 355 is a gorgeous car also! The last of the truly beautiful Ferraris. Everything that follows the 355 looks the same aero/jellybean design/shape to me.

 

Hi Ken - sorry, just to clarify, the Mondial is not mine (I have an 88 3.2 cab). I just came across this pic surfing the internet for Mondial pics. And agree, it does look lowered and menacing, so wish it was mine .


Wade - agreed, it does look like a 2+2 iteration of the 355, which is remarkable given the first production run of each model is 14 years apart.

 

I do like all three, but at 6' 2" I fit much better in my Mondial without that cramped no room feeling. I can put the back of my seat way back to make things even better.

 

The whole car is oozing features....badges, crisp low silhouette, pop up quad headlamps, louvres, coupe, flying buttresses, side intakes, door handles, chrome gate. The interior is pretty awesome full leather.
The long wheelbase is very common now so the proportions have normalised overtime.
No manufacturer will ever design such a shape again, "of its time" in a good way.
IMO the 328/308 looks like their wheelbase is a tad short so to stick 30cm in there is not as bad as it sounds. Likewise Ferrari's "suffer" (a bit lol) from long front overhangs and the Mondials length balances that out.
If had to pick a winner between 288 GTO, 355/348 targa, GT4 and Mondial then it would be in that order. But name most other ferraris and it holds its own. Then again the 1950-1975 and 1997-present day Fs do nothing for me (so Im wierd) > which is lucky cos i couldnt afford one

 

The Mondial had the ideal wheelbase right from the beginning.

From Clive Reed's Mondial Z thread:

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/mondial/33819-mondial-z-16.html
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Wade - you are like an encyclopaedia reference manual for the Mondial forum
Very impressive!

 

Thanks Dave, and I wish.

However, if you own one or two Mondials long enough, some info sticks with ya. And FerrariChat's archives are my "extended memory".

 

of course I'm biased and whole heartedly agree with you Dave....

I love the look of the 308GT4 - some people think they are an abomination...

everything is in the eye of the beholder. There will be people to their dying day say a Jackson Pollock are masterpieces - worth millions...I say they are just plain ugly.

I don't disparage nor criticize those that find beauty in them though, if paint drips are gorgeous to them - who am I to say they are wrong?

One thing about cars though is I do believe they all reach a certain 'inflection' point..where the style is so old school that it doesn't even matter anymore if the design is 'ugly' per se' - the rarity and novelty of the car (assuming in good condition) in itself makes it a special sight on any eye. The 458 will 10-15 years from now look dated...and will hit the 'bottom' - all cars do. Until they make that upward march through time.

Generally there are 4 groups of people I've run into while driving my Mondial

1) 85% General Public: "Cool - an old school Ferrari? What is that Testarossa/308/328/348?"

2) 5% Know the car, but not much about it: "Cool - a Mondial, what year is that?...oh they still made it that recently, and it has 4 seats?"

3) 5% In the know: "Cool - a Mondial - sweet ride man - totally underrated - wise choice"

4) 5% Guy that read some derivative article on the interwebs: - "ugh...a Mondial - what a piece of **** - my Camry goes faster...."

 

They wished they owned a Camry, that is their dream car.

 

LOLOLLLL! And just how did they get those curb rashes on the driver's side wheels ?

Cheers,

Hank