The Mondial followed the Dino 308 GT4, designed by Pierangelo Andreani being the first Ferrari-badged mid-engined 4-seater. The car followed on from the Dino 308 GT4, featuring a 3000cc cross plane V8, which was developed from the Ferrari Daytona's V12 with 4 fewer cylinders and featuring identical architecture. Over the Mondial's life, the engine grew in capacity and sophistication, becoming quad cam in 1983 with the Quattrovalvole and increasing to 3.2 litres in 1986 with the cleverly named 3.2. The Mondial T came along in 1988 and although sharing a lot in common with the previous generations features a revised engine layout from transverse to longitudinal. This changed the gearbox and rear subframe, which caused some difficulty when changing cam belts.
The Mondial reverted to Pininfarina styling after the Dino 308 GT4’s somewhat divisive Bertone-styled looks. The Mondial follows similar design themes to this car such as the more pointy nature of the design and the air vents in the bonnet, something that was famed by Bertone at this time. However, Pininfarina managed to redesign the car and fit in well with the Ferrari/Pininfarina lineup, essentially being a 4-seater version of the 328 GTB, with the bodies manufactured by Scaglietti.
The Mondial is said to have received its name from the word Mondial means Global in French and, this name was meant to echo the fact that Ferrari was a Global brand and had won races and championships all over the world. This was especially clever as the Mondial was the first road the car to be homologated for road use all over the world. The name was also associated with the 1950s racer the ‘500 Mondial’, the '500' came from the Ferrari’s 2 litres 4-cylinder engine, which was found in its F1 engines at the time.
The ‘family friendly’ Mondial is often overlooked in the Ferrari 1980s lineup for not having the same presents as 2 seater versions of the same platform like the 328 GTB. The car had the more practical and sophisticated appeal in the Ferrari lineup at the time. The car still features all the same design and engineering innovations as its 2 seater sibling, cars like the 308 GTB, 328 GTB and 348 GTB, however with the Mondial, the innovations are wrapped up in a more practical package.
A great Ferrari for the ages and one that is currently very under-appreciated.
Exterior:
The lovely Dark Ferrari Blue Sera is in great condition for its age featuring a few chips for its age, the car has held very well with only attention on the sunroof needing some work and comes with some of components. The car is very much of its time with the styling being very 1980s, from the vents in the front and rear boot and engine cover to the twin tail lights and pop-up headlights, if this was a book of classic Ferrari design ques this car would be on the front page.
Interior:
The interior is a lovely crema which pairs very will with the blue exterior, Blue with a cream interior is somewhat of a cliche but a choice option for a Ferrari. The condition of the seats is very good and has recently had some work done to the driver's seat and a small tear on the rear passenger seat. The old-school Ferrari dash is well-spaced and presents everything in a very functional Italian style. The dials with their retro Italian font style are a great addition to the car's character as the needles climb.
Engine:
Behind the driver the car bares the F105C 3.2 litre V8 as derived from the original Daytona's V12 architecture, it is identical to the one found in the 328 GTB although, with different engine designations, they produce the same power in the same transverse layout. Ferrari made several enhancements to the F105C and its capacity was increased from 3.0 to 3.2 litres. The horsepower gains are attributable in part to the new high-lift camshafts and redesigned piston heads with aluminium in-liners. The noise the flat-plane crack V8 produces is classic Ferrari and the roar of the engine sounds fantastic up to the redline of 7,800 rpm. The engine enjoys to be revved as produces the max power of 270 hp being produced at 7000 rpm, with the max engine torques returning 224 lb/ft at 5,500 rpm. Under the bonnet the 3.2 is easily identifiable by its dramatic bright red air intake with Ferrari 3200 Quattrovalvole written all over it, just to be sure. The engine has recently had a full service, new cam belts and a new fuel accumulator.
Gearbox:
The Gearbox is the same as the unit found in the Ferrari 328 GTB and featured the same dog leg first and 5 forward speed. The gearbox is great to use and the open gate shift of the car is classic Ferrari magic with its metallic feel and the noises giving you a great connection to the mechanics of the car. The gearbox has recently been serviced with new oil, with some once allowed to warm up to operating temperature the box is a joy to use.
Drivetrain:
The gearbox and rear axle fit together behind the engine in a transverse layout. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a limited-slip differential, which helps make the car fun to drive and helps put the power down out of the corners.
Chassis:
The chassis was comprehensively tweaked over the standard QV and base Mondial, so much so that Ferrari designated it a new chassis designation Tipo F108 CL 100. The tweaked chassis gave the new Mondial 3.2 new life and great handling making it much more fun to drive than the previous iterations of the Mondial. The longer wheelbase tubular space frame chassis helped the Mondial make more favourable handling characteristics over the 328 GTB being much more predictable than its shorter and sharper sibling and giving great communication through the chassis.
Suspension:
The Mondial features independent suspension and Koni dampers all round. The softer suspension over the 328 GTB made this car the ideal choice when it comes to making longer journeys and using the car more regularly. The car has recently received a suspension overhaul at each corner, with the wishbones being refurbished, and springs and dampers having been completely rebuilt with new bushes and fastenings, the car drives as it should and now looks like new.
Steering:
The Mondial 3.2’s quicker steering rack than that of its previous iterations is classic Ferrari and gives the car a more instant and connected feel. Being quite heavy at low speeds it soon frees up on the move with the classic Ferrari, black leather-clad steering wheel being a joy to use and communicating well when driving at speed.
Brakes:
The car's ventilated disc brakes all round have great performance and give you confidence when pushing on. The car has recently received new brake lines all round giving you great confidence in the car's condition to ensure it performs as it did when new.
Wheels:
This particular Mondial has been upgraded to the 17’’ Speedline 5 spoke alloy wheels from the 348, a very striking styling addition that brings a more modern touch to the car’s appearance.
Tyres:
The tyres are Continental Conisport contact 3’s 210/50 front and 255/45 rear. The Continental tyres are summer tyres and were designed for high-performance sports cars and sports coupes and are very appropriate for the Mondial 3.2.
History:
The car comes with a very extensive maintenance history as summarised below:
Invoices:
09/01/2023 - London QV - Invoice for car works in suspension restoration and Bushes inc full service, fuel accumulator, new clutch, gearbox service, cam belt, brake service, fuel accumulator, lower ball joint, fuel hoses, brake light bulbs, bulb holders, hand brake, water pump bearings and MOT.
18/03/2022 - Hoffmans - Sunroof retrim
30/10/2020 - Hoffmans - MOT test Invoice, Sunroof seal and painting of the roof
21/09/2020 - Hoffmans - Supply Valvoline and Shell Helix
13/08/2020 - Hoffmans - MOT test invoice
06/10/2020 - Hoffmans - MOT test invoice
20/08/2019 - Hoffmans - MOT test invoice
31/10/2018 - Hoffmans - Repair heater vent, Fitted sunroof with new interior cover and parts
06/09/2018 - Hoffmans - MOT test invoice31/10/2017 - Hoffmans - Rebuilding repair to sunroof and new reduction gear (assembly)
31/08/2017 - Hoffmans - Repair drivers door handle, replaced passenger door handle and MOT Test invoice
30/06/2017 - Hoffmans - Supply and replacement of sunroof inner cover
08/06/2017 - Hoffmans - Motor refund
31/05/2017 - Hoffmans - Stripped out sunroof ready for installing
11/05/2017 - Dr Dent - Dent repair to OSR QTR
28/04/2017 - Hoffmans - Diagnose sunroof issues opening and closing and parts order
15/08/2016 - Hoffmans - MOT test invoice, passenger seat frame and mechanism investigated, fuel cap issue rectified, supplied touch-up paint and touched in front bumper chips.
17/10/2015 - Hoffmans - Cut and weld two steel plates into the chassis and sealed.
13/08/2015 - MOT test invoice
14/10/2014 - Fosker - Service and Cambelts, replace engine cover struts, adjust headlamp, recalibrate speedo.
15/03/2013 - Maranello Concessionaires Archive - Confirmation of 1987 Sale to H.R Owen
30/10/1991 - Robert Beckwell-smith - Sales invoice
