More and more pro-Mondial articles are appearing

That's a nice article - very flattering, in a way, to the Mondial. The grammar is a bit funky so I guess this is a translated version??

One question/comment - I doubt the mondial was cheaper than a 928 or 635...... As I recall, in about 1984, the Mondials cabs were about $58,000 new (308s about $53,000) with a 928 about $50,000 and a 635 about $45,000. Perhaps the pricing was different in Europe or ??

Anyway, good article - thanks for posting!

 

The Mondial has been panned for so long, that no one remembers why anymore. Probably too many sold to poseurs in California, diluting some of the appeal for enthusiasts - not the first time a car has been defined by who bought it verses what it actually was. Style is something that often gets best assessed after the passage of time, and the Mondial, I think the 3.2 cab in particular, has aged well. A few grills and slats, but nothing vulgar. Interesting lines, looks different from various views.

Although I own a red one (black interior), some more subdued colours with interesting colour interiors look exceptional. I particularly think the blue/crema combo looks quite nice, and a pruna I saw on Fchat looked appealing.

As for the extra seats, who calls the Porche 911 the "family mans" Porsche, and the Boxter or Cayman the real sports car? Why the hangup about having occasional seating/stowage space. Isn't the piont how the car handles, its dynamics. The Mondial has a very planted feel due to its wheelbase, and still tosses about without dangerous oversteer, some pretty good chassis tuning going on here. Scuttle shake is pretty reasonale for such a long car, obviously a well triangulated frame and related design.

Combined with a bullet proof engine (at the least the 3.2) and reasonable spares availability, this looks like a long term classic. After natural attrition over the years, I wonder how many of these are still on the road? Probably getting scarce, even more so for nicely maintained ones.

I am obviously a believer, but it doesn't surprise me that this last of the handbuilt era cars is getting a fresh assessment by another generation.

 

Because it was underpowered when launched -- IIRC, R&T had 0-60 in something like 9 seconds.

It was also launched around the time the 308 was becoming an international celebrity, and its conservative styling didn't fit the image over here (maybe less of a problem in Europe, where Ferrari's could be touring cars).

I remember the Mondial launch well -- the automotive press weren't all that keen on it. The slow 308 GTSi/GTBi weren't loved either, but writers always raved about the looks and the handling. I liked them all, but I was an Italian car fanatic from my mid-teens.

 

Mondials, GT-4s, and 400s are being gobbled up by collectors now. It used to be 246s were the stepchildren. Now, it seems the 348 is getting a beating.

As a Ferrari fan, I never understood any of this coming from F-car lovers, but it does and probably always will. I think it keeps the market value down, and kills the mystique, but that's just a personal opinion on my part.

 

Yeah, I remember when the Mondial first came out. I was in my mid teens, and in the height of automobilia mania. I read every major car magazine cover to cover, multiple times. My parents bought me an AutoWeek subscription, back then it was still in large newspaper format!

Anyways, I remember the R&T article when the Mondial 8 first came out. It was on the cover, actually. With the byline "Ferrari Mondial: Is this the Modena Olds" (as in Oldsmobile).

205 hp just wasn't enough, even by early 80s standards, for any Ferrari. As I recall, the 0-60 time they got was 9.7 seconds. So, round that up to 10 seconds, that's not really acceptable for a Ferrari, even in the early 80s. I mean, even $8,999 VW GTIs and Dodge Omni GLH's were doing 0-60 times like that.

I think the Car and Driver Mondial 8 article was titled "Is There Life After Rip and Snort?" Same conclusion, the car is just too heavy, underpowered and slow.

By the time the Mondial got up to at least respectable power and performance numbers (and better quality control, too) with the 3.2, it was really too late. I don't recall the magazines really retesting the Mondial during the 3.2 and T years. The die had kind of been cast by then.

You are right, the 2V 308 was also not very well liked. The problem was, it was just such a poor performer compared to the 0-60 in 6 second range Porsche 911 and 928. The heavy, underpowered 308 was just so overwhelmed in the performance arena back then. Also, back then, a lot of writers still hadn't quite come to terms with a V8, instead of a V12, Ferrari. Of course, a lot still liked the 308's style.

I remember it was a fairly big deal when the 4V head came out. The journalist intro of the 4V head was in Italy, so the US journalists went and had access to the Euro spec 4V cars. Of course, comparing a US 2v to Euro 4V was a revelation, and the press' treatment of the V8 Ferraris after that point became a lot more favorable.

 

Actually, more people than you may think, excluding the GT3 and GT2, of course!

At any rate, I saw the first Mondial I've ever seen in person last weekend. I have to say that before, I wasn't sure what I thought, but after seeing one in the flesh, I "get" it. I saw a Red/Tan Mondial T, and it really is very attractive.

 

Actually, more people than you may think, excluding the GT3 and GT2, of course!

At any rate, I saw the first Mondial I've ever seen in person last weekend. I have to say that before, I wasn't sure what I thought, but after seeing one in the flesh, I "get" it. I saw a Red/Tan Mondial T, and it really is very attractive.

 

What he said. What he said.

 

I have a real soft spot for a mondial cab I spotted several years ago... Dark green (British racing green)? and tan interior! A great family classic in my books... My dilema is my 328 which I love!.....

 

Oops! Sorry, don't know how that happened

 

I think you will see many more very positive articles about Mondials as they are re-discovered without the stigma of the early reviews. For a daily use classic car, it is quite wonderful.
You may even see an article about a black 3.2 coupe someday...

 

Forza had a black Mondial and red 328 a few years back, comparison drive.

As a 328 guy, I would say the black Mondial looked as good as the red 328 in that spread.

 

Yes, I have seen that car... Very appealing for certain

 

Still one of the best articles I have read about the Mondial t was written by Csaba Csere of Car and Driver in 1990, evaluating the 1989 model. I have posted a quote from his article before---here is a bit of what he said---and it is still accurate today:

"Who among us hasn't dreamed of driving a Formula 1 car?....There is, however, a way--albeit a costly one--of sampling the Formula 1 experience. For $97,000, Ferrari will put you into a Mondial t cabriolet, complete with open-air bodywork, the prancing horse emblem worn by more than 100 Grand Prix-winning cars, a shrieking engine, a Formula 1-inspired gearbox, a mid-engine chassis with sophisticated suspension and brakes, and enough charisma to make you the center of attention wherever you go....What we have here is your basic Formula 1 street machine."

If I can find the actual edition of the magazine I will post it later.

 

The article is from the July, 1990 edition of Car and Driver.

 

I know the chap that owns it, nice guy I'm sure. He'd probably let you drive any time you wish

Now, about Mondial articles - - - I wish Michael Sheehan would "stop already" with his bashing of the Valeo equipped Mondials. I'm really getting sick of reading the same regurgitated review of these cars, by Sheehan in Forza. His final comment regarding price/condition/what to look for - - is "stay away from Valeo equipped Mondials unless you want to put your mechanic's kid through school"

My technician (Eugenio), over the phone, had me switch a $16.00 relay to solve a "Valeo problem" !! I don't think E's girls got much class time for the $16.00, during my five years of owning Rachel.

Mr. Sheehan is bad-rapping these cars - and frankly, I find it unfair and very injurious.

Rant finished ! - Cheers,

Hank

 

Yes, I read that and immediately thought of you and how well Rachel has treated you Hank. It would not be unheard of if you wrote to Forza and educated Mr Sheehan with a nicely worded email. He may shoot back a reply explaining his position to which you can correct his errors.

You and your stalion are proof that the Valeo is exciting and no more trouble than any other technical advancement Ferrari implemented. Its a neat semi manual system and has stood the test of time.

 

My wife thinks I'm having affairs both with my 87 Mondial 3.2 and you guys at F-chat! She just went to bed thinking I'm going to be chatting with you fellas for a while and that she's not going to get lucky tonight. But she and I both loved tonight's date night in the stallion. A perfect night to take her in the cab back and forth to dinner. Way fun. I really love both way more than I ever imagined...I mean all three, if you include my better half! This has been so great! Thanks guys.

 

in the article, it says "Mondial T - the best incarnation" . . . but shows pics of a red 3.2 Mondial (coupe) with a 3.4 T engine ?

????

kinda wrong

 

"kinda wrong" ? If I decided to sell Rachel so I could then buy a (whatever), can you imagine how damaging these articles would be to my ability to sell a beautifully performing Valeo Mondial???? If these critiques were true, I'd have to factor them into my position as a seller. That is not the case, as many Valeo owners would chime in to support.

Yeah Joe, "kinda wrong" is mild for what is really, "fu---- -p"!!!!