For Sale 1986 3.2 Mondial Hardtop

After more than six years of ownership, I’ve decided to part with this very rare 1986 3.2L Ferrari Mondial hardtop, finished in its original Blue Medio metallic paint over blue leather. This is a great entry into Ferrari ownership, especially for those with young children due to the back seats. With just over 69k miles on the odometer, I would characterize it as being a very good driver-quality car that is mechanically sorted and very reliable. An engine-out major service was completed in 2020 by the renowned Competizione & Sports Cars, costing more than $20k. No, “engine-out” is not a typo. It’s true that the generations of Mondials prior to the final “t” version (1989-1993) can have their timing belts changed while the engine is in the car, as with their 308 & 328 brethren. However, from the first “8” version, Mondials were designed with a removable subframe which houses the drivetrain and rear suspension, similar to the Testarossa, 348, 355, and Mondial t. This means removing the engine is optional, but I wanted to do that as it would enable identification and remediation of any issues from previous deferred maintenance. So, the major included the normal timing belt and bearing change, valve adjustments, etc., as well as addressing numerous deferred maintenance items such as replacing all the fuel and coolant hoses. Going forward, I’d recommend enjoying the car for another 1-2 years (Competizione & Sports Cars recommend timing belt changes every 5-7 years) and then doing an engine-in timing belt change, perhaps with an engine-out service the following time (i.e., with every other timing belt change).

Aside from the major service and regular maintenance, the only work I’ve had to do is the replacement of the HVAC blower motor which seized and caused a burnout in the fuse panel. Replacing the fuse panel is a common need on these cars and not hugely expensive but replacing the blower motor cost over $4k due the amount of labor needed to disassemble the interior. While that was being done the heater core was also replaced as it was just starting to leak, so both of those should be good for another 40 years. The AC works quite well for a car of this age and is more than adequate while temperatures are below the mid-80s. These cars were not designed to handle modern summers in the 90s and low 100s, so at these temperatures the AC will “take the edge off” but definitely doesn’t cool like a modern car does.

Cosmetically the car is in very good condition, with just a few paint chips here and there and a minor ding in the driver side door. There is a little delamination in the windshield causing some fogging, but it is not visible from inside the car. Overall, the interior is also in good condition, but the leather on the front seats is quite dry and hard and the driver side has some wear. I’ll leave it up to the new owner to decide if they would prefer to keep the car original and recover the seats or opt for an upgrade of some kind, such as 80’s Recaro seats (or just live with it). The title is clear and clean, however, according to the CARFAX it was issued a salvage title in 1992. When I was buying the car, I asked the inspector to look for any issues from this, and he couldn’t find anything and all the panel gaps are as they should be. My shop hasn’t noted anything either, so apparently the damage was fixed properly (or the CARFAX is mistaken, as this was a long time ago).

The car also comes with a set of extremely rare, custom-built 17” Speedline Mistral wheels with recent Michelin tires. These make a huge difference to the way the car looks, rides and handles! The original wheels are of course included but would need new tires if the new owner prefers the original look. In that case, I would be willing to keep the Mistral wheels and lower the price accordingly.

Unfortunately, I do not have the original tool or jack kits, but I do have a thick binder with an extensive service history. The car just had an annual service by Competizione who also did a full visual inspection including a test drive and found no immediate needs.

I’d be happy to answer any questions and of course interested buyers are welcome to come see and drive the car in person. $45,000.
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Two Mondials in a couple weeks!

 

WOW! and [2] ding tops at that.

maybe that glorious, well-sorted cabriolet is still in the cards for me.

 

NO, No, no, you need one of the two coupes recently listed here...................maybe even both if both seller agree to $100K!

 

sadly i've given up my search for a 3.2 cabriolet. just nothing suited me and
the decent examples were on the other side of the country it seems.

SO I BOUGHT A MASERATI INSTEAD!
sight-unseen no less.
a gorgeous garnet-colored Granturismo cab., a 2016 with about 20k on the clock.
and only 43 previous owners!

the driver backed the car off his transporter. while he and i signed off on things,
he left the engine running and drove on his way. as i did not want her idling in my driveway
i turned her around and pulled in my garage.

first it was the "check engine" light refusing to go out. next the government-mandated
TPMS came on to inform me all [4] tires were off by 1psi. (thank you Firestone)

the best part was the driver's door would not open from inside! horrors of horrors, i
could not lower the driver's glass to reach outside and open the door.
after this, i discovered the roof would not open. nada on adjusting the side mirrors.

but wait........there's more.

more dash lights. like a beached whale, this 73y.o. man
had to extricate himself from the car by sliding over the central console. thankfully
the pass. side door opened from the inside and i exited the car. for good measure,
i tried to open the trunk with the key fob. what do you think?

i'm lampooning this poor car because she's the spawn of the word "LUXURY! "
how about starting your car from 30ft. away with that little blue key fob? what's
the purpose? the worst that could ever happen with my 328 was not being able
to lock the door sometimes. i never locked the car anyways!

is there a whole gaggle of idiots out there who demand their next car be designed
with tail fins? someone perceived that they did. i'm not sure it was the buyers.

you catch the drift? is the gubment buying those cars they think are going to
make our lives safer, less polluting, and each year worse than the other?

as Charles Foster Kane once said "they'll believe what i tell them to believe"......

in the case of autos, "we'll build what we think they need".

rant over

 

Mondials have no such difficulties with electronics! As you probably know, they're pretty bullet-proof and mine has had the common issues with the blower motor and fuse panel addressed..... so are you sure you want a cabriolet? The tops are finicky and not very water-tight, and the chassis on the hardtop is much stiffer, resulting in both a better ride and better handling. There's also a sunroof so you get some of that wind-in-the hair experience but without the drawbacks of the convertible....

 

43 previous owners? This story needs it's own thread in Silver!

 

@PeterS and I agreed we would sell both cars for $100K.

 

"life is like a box of chocolets,

you just never know what you're gonna get inside".

that's been my luck since i sold my red car !

 

So you want a coupe now?

 

Update: the car was having trouble starting so I just had the fuel distributor rebuilt and now she's running better than ever! AND... price drop to $42k.