Hi everyone, As a lurker for many months, I joined only a month ago so that I can finally see the pictures that are denied to non-members (a good way to get people to join and to save bandwidth!) My daily driver is a '91 Alfa 164S, has been and still is since 2000/01, and she still makes me smile every single time I think about her. Along the way I accumulated a few more Alfas and other cars, all wonderful in their own ways. A couple years ago the bug bit me again, and off I went on a search - what should I try next? Being a practical person, first thing I ruled out was 2-seater. Being a little private and not a lover of tornadoes in the hair, convertibles were crossed out. Hmmm, I've had mostly sedans, but not a "real" sports car yet - how about Porsche? As far back as I can remember, I adored the 911's shape. The new versions with the return of the traditional round headlamps are so gorgeous. As I live in a semi-rural area, I don't see them everyday (not even once a month), so I don't suffer from "shape fatigue". Began earnestly doing research on 911's. Then last spring, a friend mentioned the "Ferrari Mondial". Very practical 4-seater, he said. Quite affordable, too! (both relative to other Ferraris, of course.) Hmmm. Looked it up on the web. The shape didn't catch my interest at first. But then came the cool stuff. Mid-engine. Adjustable suspension. Two trunks. New engine and technology that debuted on the 348. (I was only looking at t's.) Not too shabby! I read about the "low dog" status of the Mondial. Strangely, that somehow attracted me more to the car! Then I started looking at ads. Convertible after convertible. Oh no. Then I read that only 43 t coupes were imported. Of the few t coupes on the market, all were red. Oh dear. I didn't want a red car. No worries. I'm in no hurry. I'll patiently wait until a non-red Mondial t coupe appears. There was the high-mileage but good condition red t on the market a few months ago. Almost jumped on it, but decided not to at the last minute. In early March though, I came across this ad for a gray t coupe after following a lead on Ferrarichat. Stunning was the first word that came to mind. I had pictures of WilyB's beautiful gray on red t coupe and immediately that color became my favorite. Nice, elegant, and understated. I communicated with the seller over a period of a week, and a deal was sealed. Arrangements were made to ship the car. Due to delays on the part of the shipping company, the car didn't arrive until late this past Sunday night. The shipper carefully unloaded the vehicle. Though it was dark and only its silhouette can be seen, the engine made no reservations in announcing its presence. The deep, menacing burble pierced through the midnight air. A few hours later, the gentle morning light revealed the true beauty of the machine. From all angles, the Mondial t is truly breathtaking. I won't bore you all with details of my first Ferrari Driving Experience, other than the fact that the clutch and shifter are so heavy that my gentle babying resulted in awkward shifts at first! The babying didn't produce a very memorable experience, however. Heavens, did I make the wrong choice? A couple days later, more confident of the machine, I let 'er rip (as the parlance goes), and then, and only then, did I realize the car's raison d'etre. The engine, amazingly responsive... the sound at 7500 rpm... ahhhhhhh. Even with "only" 300 hp under the hood (I use apostrophes because tons of modern cars make that much), it became quickly clear that public roads could not harness a fraction of its potential. The ride in "soft" is surprisingly comfortable and long-distance viable, and will be more so once I change the current 18" wheels to the original 16". The steering is a little unnerving at first - it seems to wander and follow every groove on the road - but that could be due to the oversize wheels and tires, and should improve once I change them. But the sound..... oh my gosh. Not a single doubt that you're in a real Sports Car. Ferrarichat has been immensely helpful over the months in providing me with information, and I'm sure it will continue to be so! I look forward to knowing many of you in the coming months, and of course the car itself. Alfas, Ferraris... they're the same family. Regards, Leo Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Is she a beauty! Man I love that color! Congratulazione Paisàn, benvenuto nella nostra famiglia! I hope you'll become a consistant contributor. Now, more pictures please!
Congrats on getting a stunning T !!! It truly is an elegant ride. PM me if you are interested in my OEM 16 wheels off Rachel. They are equally stunning ! Enjoy !!!, Hank
That's a real beauty and the color... very nice! In case you haven't seen the "Letter" (kindly provided by Michael B) http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=231024&highlight=coupe
Congrats! BTW, the car should not wander. Ours tracks straight as an arrow over the worst of roads hands off. Yet, If I breathe on the wheel the car responds. Back in the day they called it one of the best rack and pinion steering setups in the world. Hopefully the wheels/tires are the problem. dave
I think that car was "ScaleDetails" ride (he had a series of Mondials' and still is ever changing them). I know he thought highly of that car and always had exceptional examples. Well done.
Congratulations Leo a lovely car and colour. I also have one in red. I have had tr, 308gt4 355gts and 360 coupe and the T is the most stable on the highway of all. With regards to wandering check your wheel alignment and your steering rack ends as mine did a bit of trcking and I discovered a worn rack end that allowed a few millimetres of play which when maginified to the wheel is quite a bit. It is now rock solid and you can let go of the wheel on the most undulating tarmac and she sits firmly straight ahead. I know you will have years of enjoyment particularly if she is your daily driver.
Congratulations on a great car. And I think you have done it right. By being an Alfa owner for years there shouldn't be any surprises, probably all quirks carry from one car to the other. It took me a couple days myself to realize what it was all about
I have driven tons of cars that are faster and have better numbers. In fact, I just purchased a Boxster S that can have my Mondial for lunch. BUT NOTHING, NOTHING I HAVE EVER DRIVEN (Except a Lambo Countach ) is as intoxicating as an old Ferrari. I adore my Mondial and I wish you many years of happy enjoyment. They are stupendous cars. Congrats! I LOVE the color combo!!!!
Thanks all so much for your wishes. I'm sure the car will just get better and better with time. Now that the snow is gone, driving season is here! Regarding the squirrelly steering, hopefully it's just the tires/wheels. If the wandering's still there after they're changed, I'll have to get the rack looked at. By the way, the sunroof is having a slight problem - it "sags" down when closed. I have to squeeze a thick book into the gap between the sunroof and ceiling to keep it propped up. Any suggestions? Leo
congrats - very smart colour. low profile tyres can sometimes accentuate magnetism towards tarmac grroves/ridges. PS. sound, down the line may be worth considering k&n air filter and tubi exhaust. really enhanced the driving experience on my t coupe.
Do you mean that the sunroof material / tweed is loose? If so you may need to replace the section of material as there is a "semi stretchy" section towards the rear of the material that will lose its elasticity and allow the fabric to droop. Here is the part: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ferrari-Mondial-Sun-Roof-Liner-Part-61030000-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem19c3667d27QQitemZ110652456231QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories Its a fairly complicated proceedure to replace.
Hi Michael, Unfortunately it's actually the metal sunroof itself which is sagging down. It's like there's something wrong or weak with the gears so it can't keep the roof propped up. Here's a photo. It also doesn't open all the way, only 2/3's or so. Leo Image Unavailable, Please Login
Okay, chances are your "lever arm" is either not parking correctly (its last maneuver before the motor stops its cycle) or the connection (a manage of plastic and pot metal bits) at each side of the back of the sliding panel has broken or worn. There are a large amount of threads here that can guide you when you dismantle the panel and then take inventory of the parts - to see what has fatigued. Nothing but simple hand tools are needed - and a lot of patients. Do this for me... Go to the sunroof motor in the rear trunk. Once the roof is closed (like in the above photo) turn the motor by hand (with a socket or open wrench on the center nut of the electric motor drive) and see if it brings the roof panel to a complete closed position flush with the roof. If it does then your motor may need repair/adjustment or help. If the motor slips on the cable when you try to turn said nut then your cable may need some repair. If its at the stop (wont turn) then your leverage arm is indeed the culprit. Lastly, the roof does not open completely. Its designed to only open about 3/4 of the way. If you were to get it to open the whole way it would disconnect from the cable connection and then slide free. I have mine apart right now & am very familiar if you need any other guidance.
Congratulations! The more you will drive it the more you will love it. Plus you get the support of a great community here!
Leo- Very pretty and I like your Alfa 164, too. You do not see one of those at every stop light. Taz Terry Phillips
