Any issues with the Mondial Cabriolet's top?

I think that once you get the mechanism adjusted correctly, they work well. Getting them adjusted is nigh on impossible however, and very time consuming.

The real problem is that the latches break. There is a piece that is U shaped and very undersized for the loads it has to tolerate, and whenever it gets any torsional load on it, it just snaps in half. New latches are 350+. Needless to say, anyone who comes up with a similar cost alternative that works will not only become rich, but also well loved by all Mondial owners.

They tend to leak also if not adjusted correctly. First they just leak if the seal is poor, and second, if they are not adjusted correctly, then the rubber seal on either front corner of the windshield tends to get ripped apart.

If you get the thing adjusted, AND you haven't broken the latches, then it can be raised and lowered from the drivers seat - just. It is no Miata, but it does not have to be as bad as many of them are.

 

DIY. It's a matter of spending time with the mechanism and working out how it works. I am sure a dealer can do it, but at 100 bucks an hour, you are better off working it out yourself.

 

I have a 3.2 Mondial and I put the top up and down all the time - by myself.

The boot cover takes a bit of time to fit properly, but the top is effortless.

I have never had a problem with water coming through the top, and I have driven the car is all kinds of weather.

 

Once you get the hang of it - no problem.

Search for a post w/step by step directions.

One of my latchs broke recently.
Wasn't someone working on a "stronger" replacement latch a while back?

 

FWIW, I found that gently tugging forward on the (collapsable) B pillars after putting up the top -- but not yet latching it -- made it significantly easier to latch AND to operate the rear windows.

Another good tip is to carry a thin piece of chamois or soft towel to put over your plastic rear window while folding into the top when you put the top down to prevent scratching. The only way to get the top really down, not "almost down," is to fold (without creasing!!!) the window and tuck it forward into the fold of the top and push down. The boot cover goes on a lot easier after that, but a lot easier means going from impossible to just troublesome.

 

They were/did. No more to be found unfortunately, as I need one.

As I am in SoCal, I rarely have the roof up anyway, so I'm not too worried.

 

Do a search on my posts. One of them was a fairly extensive description of how to fold the top down properly.

Overall the Cabrio is really a non issue. With a little practice, you will have the top down and its boot cover in place in 5 mins flat.

First, we Cabrio's don't drive around too much with the top up. Otherwise, we would have gotten a coupe. The only times that the top's up is: a cold day, freeway driving for a geat distance or with passengers, or an unexpected rain shower. Most don't really like to drive their Ferrari's in the rain anyway and more often than not the top will leak a very little bit.

But the #1 reason that the top is up is... your gal just got her done!

The looks and the admiring waves for the Cabrio more than makes up for any shortcomings of the top. Go for it. I'd do it again in a heart beat.

Al

 

Ditto! What Al said!


This is my second convertible and the top was not that much trouble. I read the directions and took the Fchat advice and viola! top was down..cloth inside protecting the window and top cover snapped on..no biggy. Incidentally my other convertible was a 89 Dodge Dakota Sport P/Up truck and I replaced top latches for her too @ close to $300 a pop back in the 90's.

GO TOPLESS!

 

Is there a nice tonneau available for the car? I've never seen one for the Mondial, but I think the old Benz SLs (R107) had them available for those who didn't want to use the fussy, hand cranked top mechanism.

 

And had a couple made. They work really well but are expensive.
I showed it to Birdman and he suggested using a less costly material. (I had my set made with a high grade stainless and also spec'd titanium for the pins.)
I can have a look at producing them in a more cost effective way if there is interest........ Do a search for Mondial Roof Latches or posts by me - Ron Frohock and you will see the picture.
- Ron

 

a factory Tonneau cover. I know they exist. I will post a picture asap.
Its a nice piece. I use it often. It covers part of the windshield, the window glass and the entire interior.
- Ron