Is This Mondial Your Affordable Entry Into Ferrari Ownership?

Photography Courtesy of Auctions America

Ferrari. It’s hard to think of a more arousing, adored, and applauded automobile marque so widely idolized—both by gearheads and the rest of mankind who normally treat vehicles simply as tools of convenience. The Italian icon has produced some of the world’s most beautiful and historically significant cars of all time.

With such an impressive catalog of illustrious racecars and equally lustworthy production cars, we tend to forget not all Ferraris are cherished equally. Some, in fact, seemed to have a universal loathing. No other Ferrari carries such detest like the Mondial—though, it sold quite well when new.

More commonly viewed as a stumbling donkey rather than a prancing horse, the Mondial received mixed reviews upon its release in 1980. Despite being designed by Pininfarina, its conservative styling and underwhelming performance were harshly scrutinized against the model’s high price tag. Succeeding the 208/308 GT4, the Mondial was designed to be Ferrari’s most “practical” road car, a target that’s likely the reasoning for critique.

Instead of a monocoque chassis, the Mondial’s Carrozzeria Scaglietti constructed steel body was mated to a box-section space frame. The suspension, engine, and transmission are mounted on detachable subframes, which allow for easier and cheaper maintenance. This ’85 year model is a Quattrovalvole, featuring a redesigned four-valve head with Formula 1-inspired combustion chambers. These modifications increased power output by 35 ponies over the early two-valve cars for a total of 240 horsepower.

Ferrari began offering a lidless model in 1983, with only 629 convertibles built before production ceased in 1985—making the QV Cabriolets the rarest of all the Mondial variations. It’s worth noting when the Mondial Cabriolet debuted it was the first mid-engine four-seater convertible production car. Although coupes are generally more desirable, this exceptional all-original black drop top QV Cab‘ looks the part with the soft-top back, displaying the tan Connolly leather upholstery beautifully—bonus points for the Cabriolet’s canvas shape retaining the coupe’s flying buttress design.

No, it’s not the prettiest Ferrari, nor is it the quickest or best handling car to hail from Maranello, but it is a Ferrari—and relatively inexpensive. Remember, the 365/400/412 GT models were considered undesirable for years and continue to climb the market. Instead of looking at the cons, how about considering the pros? The Mondial packs a mid-engine V8 that sings beautifully, it’s got awesome ’80s flip-up headlights in a super ’70s wedge design, the cabin looks like a nice place to sit with room for four, and the clickety-clack from the gated manual gearbox is sure to put a smile on your face.

This is one of the nicest Mondials we’ve come across with less than 12,xxx miles since new. The high bidder also takes home accompanying owner’s manuals/books, original tool kit, and jack. Being a pristine QV model in great colors, it looks like a fun summer driver with a lot of character for relatively little coin.

History
– One 0f 629 Mondial Cabriolets
– 11,xxx miles since new

Specifications

~240 horsepower 3.0-liter Tipo F105A 32-valve V8, five-speed gated manual transmission, independent double wishbone suspension, and four-wheel disc brakes. Wheelbase: 2,650 mm.

Vehicle information

Chassis no.: ZFFUC15A9FOO56173

Valuation

Auction house: Auctions America
Estimate: $25,000 – $35,000
Price realized: Auction on June 25