1991 Ferrari Mondial T Cabriolet
Discussion
GrandAndrew said:
That looks great. What do they sound like?
I haven't taken it to the red line yet, but at normal RPM it's relatively quiet, certainly far less noisy than my Evora GTE, It's bog standard, so running a standard exhaust. Apparently it used to have a bespoke sports exhaust system a few years back, but it was returned to OEM specification some time ago. More in-keeping with the civilized spirit of the model, I think.One of the advantages of the longitudinal engine is that it sits lower in the chassis. You really have to peer deep into the engine bay to see the top of the cam covers. That gives the T model better handling due to the lower centre of gravity. Also makes them relative pigs to work on.
This might sound a bit odd, but it reminds me of my old Integrale in some ways. The smell, the mechanical noises, the steering wheel and of course the colour.
This might sound a bit odd, but it reminds me of my old Integrale in some ways. The smell, the mechanical noises, the steering wheel and of course the colour.
At the moment the asking prices for Mondial T cabriolets in the UK range from GBP 48K to 70K. For the earlier 3.2 cabriolet the range is GBP 36K to GBP 60K.
A few years back good ones were stuck at 25K or so. I wanted one back then, but didn't have the money. Of course they then went up in value like other Ferraris.
Now is a good time to buy. Old Ferraris are hanging around in the classifieds and prices are softening generally and these are no different. Add in the usual factor that all convertible cars are a struggle to sell in the winter and that makes it rather a buyer's market.
It's hard to put a value on any car, but this is a rare full convertible, mid-engined Ferrari V8 which the whole family can enjoy. Therein lies the value to me, so I expect to keep it for quite a few years.
A few years back good ones were stuck at 25K or so. I wanted one back then, but didn't have the money. Of course they then went up in value like other Ferraris.
Now is a good time to buy. Old Ferraris are hanging around in the classifieds and prices are softening generally and these are no different. Add in the usual factor that all convertible cars are a struggle to sell in the winter and that makes it rather a buyer's market.
It's hard to put a value on any car, but this is a rare full convertible, mid-engined Ferrari V8 which the whole family can enjoy. Therein lies the value to me, so I expect to keep it for quite a few years.
MJK 24 said:
Great thread, great car. I wish you luck with it.
Am I correct in thinking that the Mondial was never the 'entry level' Ferrari in that it was always more expensive than the Berlinetta of the time? I.e. 308, 328 and 348?
I've had a look at some literature. You are correct that the 308 and 328 were cheaper than the contemporary Mondial, but when the all-new 348 model was launched, it was priced above the Mondial T.Am I correct in thinking that the Mondial was never the 'entry level' Ferrari in that it was always more expensive than the Berlinetta of the time? I.e. 308, 328 and 348?
It's the old 4 seat Ferrari syndrome. It's always taken them much longer to earn the love than their 2 seat cousins. Think right back to the 1960s 250 GTE. By the early 80s they were as good as worthless and literally being chopped up as donor cars for replicas. If you'd kept one as Enzo intended it, you'd be sitting on 400 grand today.
I think the general rule of thumb with 4 seat Ferraris is that a) they cost more new, b) they drop in value like a stone, c) they bottom out for a few years and then d) their value eventually increases, but still sits below that of the contemporary 2 seater.
I think the general rule of thumb with 4 seat Ferraris is that a) they cost more new, b) they drop in value like a stone, c) they bottom out for a few years and then d) their value eventually increases, but still sits below that of the contemporary 2 seater.
JuniorD said:
Congratulations, that's a beautiful car. Don't know if it's the one recently for sale at The Ferrari Centre, but if it is, it looked the best proposition I've seen in ages.
I would love a Mondial Cab, in silver. It's agonizing in that when they were a £20k car I just didn't quite have the spare cash. Now they are a £40-50k car, I just don't quite have the spare cash...
Yes it was the TFC car. They had had it for sale all summer at a rather higher price, without garnering any interest. It was one of the cars I had on my short list to consider viewing, so when they dropped the price I got down there sharpish for a test drive.I would love a Mondial Cab, in silver. It's agonizing in that when they were a £20k car I just didn't quite have the spare cash. Now they are a £40-50k car, I just don't quite have the spare cash...
The moment I saw it, I just knew it was the One. I was genuinely surprised how excellent the condition was and everything seems to work, but what sealed the deal for me was a thick ring-binder full of service history documentation and a fully stamped-up service book since Day 1, all in the correct Ferrari wallet. It's also got all the original tools and leather Ferrari tool box, as well as an excellent undamaged soft top and tonneau cover.
So after a roof-down test drive, I agreed to pay their reduced £40K asking price, on condition that they carried out a full cam-belt service, proper pre-sale check-over and issued a new MOT. It now has 20 documented services inc. 7 cam belt changes for its 43,500 miles. I think it's just one of those cars that has always been looked after, used relatively sparingly and serviced/fettled without question whenever required.
I thoroughly enjoyed the 120 mile top-down drive home in the early November sunshine! I've since had one quick drive with the roof up, but that's no way to experience these cars, so it will only be used on dry days, as long as there's no salt on the roads. I'll be putting the roof down and taking the family out in it this weekend.
Thanks JD. I've done about 600 miles in it since I bought it: consisting of local trips and family days-out when the weather's been fine. Of course, it's been a long hard UK winter, so opportunities have been limited. Being what I would term a mid-mileage Ferrari (now 44k), i don't have to worry about mileage reducing the value. Furthemore, the condition, though excellent, is not concours so I have no problem using it regularly.
For safety's sake, I had a new set of Goodyears fitted early on (total 416 quid), which should last for at least the duration of my ownership. I have also replaced one of the hood cover press studs for a couple of quid. Other than that, there has been no maintenance expenditure so far (touch wood). Being a bit OCD, I am going to treat it to a mechanical polish in a month or two to get rid of light swirl marks, which you can really only make out under artificial light. The detailer has been over each panel with his paint-test gizmo and reckons that the rosso paintwork seems to be all original 1991, bar for one small area on the driver's door.
Driving it is fun. It's not especially fast, which is OK because you don't want to travel at warp speed with the top down. I also own a much quicker car for the speed fix. I try not to use it with the top up: you could be sitting in an MGB! Having said that I always put the roof back up when it goes back in the garage to prevent any creases forming.
Like most manual Ferraris, it takes a while for the gearbox to loosen up but that's all part of the experience. The brakes are fine. Everything works including the air-con, 4 electric windows and electric aerial. All 4 of us can travel in it in relative comfort, so it's a popular choice for the family.
In summary, if you want a Ferrari road-rocket then don't get one of these. If you want something stylish, analogue and relatively practical together with the joys of open top motoring, then I highly recommend them.
For safety's sake, I had a new set of Goodyears fitted early on (total 416 quid), which should last for at least the duration of my ownership. I have also replaced one of the hood cover press studs for a couple of quid. Other than that, there has been no maintenance expenditure so far (touch wood). Being a bit OCD, I am going to treat it to a mechanical polish in a month or two to get rid of light swirl marks, which you can really only make out under artificial light. The detailer has been over each panel with his paint-test gizmo and reckons that the rosso paintwork seems to be all original 1991, bar for one small area on the driver's door.
Driving it is fun. It's not especially fast, which is OK because you don't want to travel at warp speed with the top down. I also own a much quicker car for the speed fix. I try not to use it with the top up: you could be sitting in an MGB! Having said that I always put the roof back up when it goes back in the garage to prevent any creases forming.
Like most manual Ferraris, it takes a while for the gearbox to loosen up but that's all part of the experience. The brakes are fine. Everything works including the air-con, 4 electric windows and electric aerial. All 4 of us can travel in it in relative comfort, so it's a popular choice for the family.
In summary, if you want a Ferrari road-rocket then don't get one of these. If you want something stylish, analogue and relatively practical together with the joys of open top motoring, then I highly recommend them.
Your post about the roof made me realise that I have never taken a photo of the car with the roof up. So I have just taken it out for a quick spin and took these. I rarely drive it with the roof up, but it's always garaged that way to keep it secure and prevent the fabric and the rear window from creasing.
It obviously doesn't look as good with the roof up, but I think that Pininfarina made a pretty good job with the design, by retaining the "flying buttresses" feature of the coupé and other Ferraris of that era.
It obviously doesn't look as good with the roof up, but I think that Pininfarina made a pretty good job with the design, by retaining the "flying buttresses" feature of the coupé and other Ferraris of that era.
Yes plenty of room for kids in the back (ours are tall 11 and 13 year olds). Obviously head room is no issue in a cabriolet, but may be in the coupe. You can even get adults in the back of the cabrio if you wish. Much “roomier” than my Evora, which is already borderline for the boys, and impossible for adults.
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