Considering An F512 M

Agreed.

I never bash anybody's pride and joy. Why crush someone's real dreams.

What does someone gain by doing just that.




It's odd, I think the F512M rims - simply rock. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

 

Amen!


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It’s not 25 years old yet and due to the EPA requirements it will need to go through an expensive conversion.

By the way it’s a car one needs to drive to appreciate! It’s quite a nice all around package!

 

you have written:

Can’t import this car into the US.

now you say it is not even 25 years old and it will need EPA requirements what would be expensive conversion.

so as I see it you could import the car without any problem, but to register the car it could get problems? so you may import it now and wait until it is 25 years old and then register? here in germany this is possible without any problems. I know some people have brand new cars, never registered in their garages and only moved someitmes with a dealer plate. but don´t know how it is working in the US? may be someone could explain?

 

A primer into all the things to consider:

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/278/~/importing-classic-or-antique-vehicles-%2F-cars-for-personal-use


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thank you for this link.
have read this and wonder: what has custom to do with car registration???

here in germany you can import all ( excluded military equipment and medical things -those only for own purpose is allowed- but those also with a special agreement from the government ).
after you imported for example a car here you have to care about the registration, and if this would be not possible it is your fault that you imported the car without getting knoledge before if you could register the car or not. but you can drive this car then also but only when you have a dealer licences plate ( of course I have ) or a short time license plate.

the link says only something about importing for personal use. what about for professional use ( dealer or museum for never be registered ) ?

 

I do like the M, I think it looks great, including the wheels. And it is mechanically the ultimate version of the line.

But, if I were in the market for one I don't know if I could justify the premium over a 512TR.

Did you know that 512 TR wheels were an option on the M from the factory? I wonder how many people took that option.

Yes, the M is rare in the US, I think 75 only for North America but total worldwide I believe they made about 500. Once it hits the 25 year mark I think US prices may come down a bit.

 

There is no denying that many (most?) people find the design plain at best and appalling at worst.

The brainchild of the Mondial's design was Leonardo Fioravanti of Pininfarina, same designer of everything from the Dino to the F40. From the 288GTO to the Daytona. Also, one of the last few Ferrari Enzo Ferrari himself was directly involved with.

When the Mondial 8 first came out, it was an engineering feat. If you can name another production car in the history of the automobile that has four seats, is mid-engine (not rear engine like 911), and accommodated a full cabriolet variant - please name one. Being forced to meet Ferrari's requirements and keep the design with a traditionally Pininfarina aesthetic was quite the task!

There are modern-day equivalents of the reaction many had. The same comments you hear hurled at the Mondial mirror precisely those today you see thrown at the other 4 seat cars such as the Ferrari FF/Lusso or say the Porsche Panamera.

The Mondial's design, however, was not without its admirers, and at the very top of the auto industry.

John Davis, of Motorweek - the Emmy award-winning host of the 40-year show, pointed out that the original MR2 and Fiero were both directly influenced by the mid-rear side strakes, and were obvious derivatives of Fioravanti's basic design. Don't forget the Testarossa owes it's iconic 'cheese graters' to the Mondial, the first Ferrari to sport the cheese graters.

This fact lost as one reason the MR2 and Fiero were often called the "poor man's" Ferrari. This reality had a deleterious effect on the Mondial. If you are familiar with the fashion industry, it is haute couture design houses that introduce new radical trends and looks, that always eventually filter down to Target or Walmart. It always cracks me up when I see internet commentators point out that the Daytona looks like a "C4 Corvette" or the 412 looks like a "Prelude" - I laugh a little inside.

This fact did no favors on the Mondial's fortunes as the design looked further 'down market' as the 'look' became ubiquitous with the Fiero in the front lawn on blocks.

The early Mondial's fate was sealed when the 1980 EPA regulated variant (only represented 2% of the line) was the one furnished to the three automotive publications that provided lackluster performance.

For detractors of the Mondial's beauty (or lack thereof) - I invite a reexamination in person of a concurs quality example. While I doubt everyone will change their minds (and that's fine), I do believe given the history even in my club of Ferrarista, that many do come away with newfound appreciation after experiencing in person first hand one that is fully restored and detailed. Driving it usually seals the deal.

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Quick question.
Are the headlight covers of the F512M Plastic or Glass?

 

Glass. I hope you don't need one as I had to buy the entire headlight assembly when I needed one.

 

A whole thread of opinions here



There are definitely 'prettier' Ferrari over others. Truth be told though, I would be lying if I said I would turn away any of them at the right price. As far as aesthetics, again - really there is none out there that I consider 'ugly' (not counting secondary bespoke 'conversions') - some I do consider more 'plain' than others.

 

It is not bad looking. As a modern car it needs more power.

Years ago I tried to force feed my wife, a Mondial T

She did not want to deal with the manual transmission - even though she know's how to manipulate a manual.

 

No I dont, I just have a clear bra on it and have to replace it.
If it was plastic, it would be a bit riskier removing it.
Thank you

 

A 512M in that custard yellow is pretty cool.

-F

 

That's great since I remember that it was hard to source a replacement back then. One aspect to consider when working on the glass cover is the somewhat weak attachment of the glass to the headlight assembly. Mine came off so easily that it was a miracle it had managed to stay on for so long. I checked the other side which was similarly weak, and had it re-affixed.

 

It’s the best iteration mechanically that’s the only thing we can all agree on


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We've refinished many 512 TR's but IIRC, only one M (just a couple weeks ago). The M has flags on the ashtray which the TR's did not. I'm pretty certain the client is the original owner of the car


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Thank you, Jeff. It was a fun project as the owner has 3 cars are we did this one and some 355 parts at the same time. He is now sending us the rest of the 355 parts and a 360. He is in his 80's and anxious for the weather to break so he can drive his cars - I sure know the feeling

 

Those flags are international signaling flags. Look them up and see what they represent.

 

Very little difference in them mechanically. On the US versions driven back to back the difference in performance is less than there is within the difference between 2 TR512s picked at random. There is a slight difference in state of tune of the non US M but knowing what it is it is doubtful it makes much difference.

Buy an M for its cosmetics and rarity, not its superior specifications.

 

GREAT point! Thank you

 

I had an M for 5 years and still have the 512TR and in the 20k+ miles between the two cars, I could barely differentiate them from a driving experience perspective.