Buyer’s guide: Ferrari Mondial

By Malcolm McKay

| 29 Dec 2019

Classic & Sports Car – Buyer’s guide: Ferrari Mondial

Why you’d want a Ferrari Mondial

Four-seater mid-engined coupés are rare enough, but there has only ever been one production four-seater soft-top middie. So don’t grumble about the rear-seat space in the Mondial, because it’s unique – in convertible form at least.

The original 1980 Pininfarina-styled Mondial 8 appears in lists of the world’s worst cars, due to its poor (for a Ferrari) power-to-weight ratio and complex, unreliable electronics. Some US road tests barely bettered 10 secs for 0-60mph, and the best recorded 8.2 secs. European-spec cars were a bit livelier.

It did improve, though, and quickly: the quattrovalvole of ’82 shot to 60mph in 6.4 secs. Plus, the 8 had many strengths – not least its ability as a mile-eating motorway cruiser.

At the launch, Ferrari stated that the Mondial was intended to combine the features of a sports car with a comfortable GT. Built alongside the 308-348 ranges, it was always going to be overshadowed in performance terms. But that wasn’t the point. The Mondial was a practical and usable Ferrari, which was made progressively lighter with each iteration, weight only creeping back up on the t model.

(l-r) Mondial 8 and quattrovalvole (shown) had black bumpers; integrated lamps on later, colour-coded nose (as this 3.2)

For the first time, the transverse engine, transmission and rear suspension were mounted in a single subframe, relatively easily removed for major servicing.

All Mondials have electric windows and air-con, which needs regular maintenance so check that it works well. Ironically, when it was substantially revised in Mondial t form in 1989 – starting a new line of Ferraris with F1-style longitudinal mid engines – it also became considerably more complex and costly to maintain.

The t (for transverse gearbox) requires the complete engine subframe to be dropped to swap the timing belt, which could be done in situ on earlier models, although clutch replacement is easier. The t also boasts power steering and electronically controlled dampers.

A full history is critical: avoid cars without it, unless you (and an expert) are convinced that there are no lurking problems. If possible, talk to the specialist that has serviced the car. Original books and tools are also desirable and indicate a cherished example.

Parts availability is good and second-hand spares are fairly readily available. Structural rot should not be a problem, but cosmetic rust can be found – notably on earlier cars.

The body is steel (with glassfibre floors), but aluminium was used for the undertray and boot/bonnet lids on the 8 and qv. Lids were steel on the 3.2/t, with GRP lower front and rear panels.

Images: Tony Baker

Ferrari Mondial: what to look for

Bodywork

See above for trouble spots

Engine

Look for excessive smoke when starting the engine from cold, meaning bore wear or piston-ring issues. Camshaft oil seals are prone to leak; cambelts must be replaced (and tensioner bearings checked) every three years. Odd oil pressure/temp readings are likely to be electrical faults. Exhausts rot quickly on infrequently used cars.

Suspension

Tired dampers and suspension bushes will ruin the handling, but are relatively cheap to fix; split driveshaft gaiters are common and time-consuming to replace.

Hoses

Hoses can fray around clips; correct levels of inhibitor are vital and any sign of overheating needs instant attention. Beware expansion tank corrosion.

Electrics

Electrical issues can be the norm, in particular on early and irregularly driven cars: insist on checking everything and adjust the price if it doesn’t all work.

Tyres

Tyres for metric wheels (to late 3.2) are pricey: some cars may have dangerously old rubber. A swap to 16in rims (£894 for four) is easy; spare was optional on t.

Interior

Leather (sometimes with cloth inserts) will show wear on cars with more than 50,000 miles; localised damage can be rectified but a full retrim is expensive.

Hood

Check hood fit and operation, and for presence of cover (often lost). Catches are fragile and the material can get damaged by careless folding/erecting.

Ferrari Mondial: on the road

A Ferrari V8 is a sophisticated engine that should be treated gently until thoroughly warmed up; let the owner drive first and see how the car is handled. If well looked after, they are unbreakable and have no significant flaws.

A working life of 70-80,000 miles is normal for an 8’s motor, but quattrovalvoles and ts are more durable, with 150,000-plus miles not unknown without major attention. If a rebuild is needed, fitting a secondhand engine is the only cost-effective answer.

In contrast to US criticism, European road-testers loved the Mondial, complimenting its blend of supple ride with fine handling, road-noise suppression and superb brakes. The long wheelbase gives the car a feeling of stability, plus it is comfortable and easy to drive, with good visibility for a middie.

Worn suspension and steering bushes, plus tired dampers, seized calipers and ageing tyres, mean that many do not feel so taut now, but all can be sorted at a price.

Check CV boots for splits: replacement is laborious. The steering is heavy at parking speeds (on all bar the t), but lightens appreciably at speed.

It’s vital to check the electrics thoroughly, because early cars were prone to faults and they suffer with sparing use, particularly if stored in less than ideal conditions. Headlights, indicator switches, locks, windows (notably Cabrio rears; all are slow) and aerial are regular glitches. Most switches are unavailable new.

On the 8 to 3.2, the centre console houses a warning panel – if it works, it’s a bonus: senders tend to fail and many lamps may have been disconnected, but that needn’t be a reason to reject a potential purchase.

Ferrari Mondial price guide

Cabrio qv

Show: £37,500
Average: £30,000

Cabrio t

Show: £45,000
Average: £33,000

Coupé 8

Show: £25,000
Average: £20,000

Coupé qv

Show: £30,000
Average: £25,500

Coupé 3.2

Show: £35,000
Average: £27,000

Coupé t

Show: £40,000
Average: £30,000

Ferrari Mondial history

1980 Mar: Mondial 8 replaces 308GT4, with fuel injection, 214bhp (205bhp in US spec)

1982 Aug: quattrovalvole supersedes 8 (703 built); 32-valve, 240bhp (230 US), 147mph top speed, improved switchgear/controls

1983 Sep: Cabriolet added, narrower rear seat

1985 qv (1145 Coupé, 629 Cabriolet built) replaced by 3.2: 270bhp (260 US), body-coloured bumpers, integrated lights, upgraded interior

1987 ABS optional (standard from 1988)

1989 3.2 (987 Coupé, 810 Cabriolet built) discontinued for 3.4, 300bhp (295 US) t: redesigned air intakes, new doorhandles, complex dry-sump, longitudinally mounted engine, new interior, rectangular headlamps

1993 t build ends (858 coupé, 1017 Cabrio made)

The owner’s view

“It’s a brilliant road car, especially being a four-seater,” remarks owner Ray Ferguson. “I’ve been a Ferrari nut since 1989 and have had three 348s. “I bought the Mondial t for a Ferrari Owners’ Club race series and it’s competitive with modified 328s.

“The 348 engine is bombproof and in three seasons the only failure I’ve had was the alternator. The engine’s out now for a cambelt change plus discs and pads. I bought the best car that I could find and look after it: the last thing you want after taking it all the way to Spa or the Nürburgring is for it to break down.

“I ran the Mondial for six months as a family car before starting to race it; now I have an F430 as my road car – but I do enjoy racing the Mondial, it’s absolutely fantastic.”

Also consider

Alpine A610 (left) and Porsche 911 are alternative buys

ALPINE GTA/A610

Great performance from turbo 2.5-3-litre PRV V6 combined with light weight and superb aerodynamics to give the Alpine Ferrari-baiting performance. Sales never matched its potential but it’s now a canny buy, and huge fun.

Sold 1986-’95 • No. built 7291 • Mpg 16-25 • 0-60mph 8-5.6 secs • Top speed 146-161mph • Price new £37,980 (A610, ’92) • Price now £6000

PORSCHE 911

With 204bhp 3-litre SC engine (from ’81), a cabriolet in ’82, the 3.2 Carrera from ’84, then 3.6 in ’89, the 911 was the Mondial’s key rival, but it was a case of efficiency versus flair. Capable of long reliable service, but pricey to fix.

Sold 1978-’89 • No. built 135,387 • Mpg 16-25 • 0-60mph 6.1-5.6 secs • Top speed 140-153mph • Price new £43,009 (3.2 Sport Cab, ’89) • Price now £15,000

Ferrari Mondial: the Classic & Sports Car verdict

The Mondial is a highly usable, underrated Ferrari with good parts availability, though spares prices can be eye-watering. Beware neglected examples: there are many, and they can bite you with faults so costly it’s cheaper to scrap them. Look for a full history and evidence of fastidious care, and you should have a reliable, long-lived family sports car.

FOR

Practical; easy to drive
Amazing value for money
Superb handling and performance, from qv
World’s only four-seat, mid-engined soft-top

AGAINST

Late models are still depreciating
Repair costs can easily exceed a car’s value
Fragility, especially from electrical problems, can be frustrating to remedy

Ferrari Mondial specifications

Sold/number built 1980-’93/6149

Construction tubular steel chassis, welded-on Scaglietti-built steel, aluminium and GRP body

Engine transverse (longitudinal on t) all-alloy, dohc, 16/32-valve 2926/3185/3405cc V8, with Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection (Motronic on t); 214bhp @ 6600rpm-300bhp @ 7200rpm; 179lb ft @ 4600rpm-238lb ft @ 4200rpm

Transmission five-speed ZF manual, optional Valeo ECU-controlled electric clutch on late t only, driving rear wheels via limited-slip diff

Suspension double wishbones, coil springs, telescopic dampers (with three-position electronic control on t), anti-roll bar f/r

Steering rack-and-pinion, 31/2 turns lock-to-lock; power assisted and 3 turns on t

Brakes 11in discs front, 113/4in rear, with servo

Length 14ft 10in-15ft (4535-4580mm)

Width 5ft 101/2in-6ft 11/4in (1790-1810mm)

Height 4ft 1/2in-4ft 3in (1235-1290mm)

Wheelbase 8ft 81/4in (2650mm)

Weight 3108-3315lb (coupé 1410-1504kg)/ 3086-3386lb (Cabriolet, 1400-1536kg)

0-60mph 8.2-5.4 secs

Top speed 138-154mph

Mpg 15-24