The weather here in Austin has been a bit uncooperative over the last week or so. I took advantage of a break in the rain to wash the Mondial and its garage mate and take each one of them out for a half hour drive. Good times! Apologies in advance for the terrible pictures.... 2cam Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
2cam, you have great taste my friend. . I went to a classic car show today. I had a great time talking to all the curious onlookers. I really cannot reconcile the delight of the crowds there with some of the negative comments on BAT, parroting the same old crap. Those guys have no idea about the reality of public perception and reactions, or the fun of driving one.
Agreed, have taken the Mondial out to several local car shows and it always draws a fascinated crowd. Perfect weather yesterday and put a few miles on it, running great in the cooler fall air!
These hidden gems are for us (the real car guys) to enjoy! Let the haters hate! The wife, myself, and our little guy spent most of the day on the road. Took it to church, then chasing trains, a visit to grandma and grandpa's house, lunch, and then ice cream. Perfect day in WNY. Sent from my SM-G930V using FerrariChat.com mobile app
Mark, That sounds like a fun day! I get it on the disconnect between the comments and the real world experience. I honestly think that those that are bashing the cars haven't seen them in person or spent time in one. My brother is a sports car fanatic as well (current Golf R and S2000 owner with some cool iron in his past). He didn't understand my interest in the Mondials and why I continued to talk about them over the last several years. That changed today. He stopped by to have a look at the Mondial and had a chance to spend about 30 minutes behind the wheel. He walked away impressed and stated that he liked it far more than my Carrera which he considers to be a landmark car. He was amazed by how much better the Mondial looked in person than in pictures, was surprised by how great it sounded, how smooth it was, and the neutral handling. He loved the shifter, the lack of power steering, and the total analog feel. Mondials are cool cars that just don't translate well in pictures. A person really needs to spend some time with one to understand. 2cam
That’s great - your brothers reaction. I have a 2008 Quattro with a tune, so comparable to the Mondial in terms power/weight. Different worlds! I think you should post this on BAT - some guy was asking for thoughts re Mondial 3.2 versus Carrera 3.2.
Drove out to Murphys Ca. for the Ironstone Concourse on Saturday to walk through. They gave us preferred parking under a tent. The Mondial was in the shade all day. Enjoyed a party in the mountains then drove back on Sunday. It was a good run for the tCoupe. 170mi. each way. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Love the black, seems a fairly rare color? As to the public's perception of the Mondial, non-enthusiasts have no clue that it's the "unwanted" Ferrari, they just know it's a Ferrari. Car guys may remember the less than approving write ups from back in the day, but are always fascinated to actually see one in person. I'm frequently asked if it's fast, I respond that it was quick for its time and is still blast to drive. My 2017 BMW M240i Coupe of course will run circles around it, as well my wife's tuned 2011 Audi TTS Roadster, but neither offers the all immersive driving experience that makes the Mondial special.
I agree. I can remember some journalist disappointment at the Mondial 8, 308 GTBi, and 400i. All related to the change to fuel injection and loss of hp. However I don’t recall any negativity after the QV was introduced. I think the Mondial’s styling was sometimes controversial - exactly the same as with the 308 GT4 - but there was never negativity. I always thought it looked great.
I have seen a twin of my black/tan black carpet tCoupe for sale some time ago on line. So at least another that I know of. Some where in the Mondial section there is a list of colors in the 89 production. Must say that my well broken-in 60,000mi car is pulling very strong and if in the right gear and rev it holds it's own and will put up a good fight against most. Yes, the fun factor is off the chart.
There was also a black t that was in Fla several years ago that Wade looked at. It re-surfaced in AZ a year or so ago. Don’t know where it is now. Temple
I've always been a fan of cars with original wheels. That's all I'll say Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I think these were an option from the dealer back in the day. So almost original and they do look great! Regards. Jerry
It's a matter of personal taste, while definitely not a period correct look, I think the larger diameter wheels nicely offset the tall roof and large greenhouse, kind of balances out the car's shape in my eyes. Having serious rubber on the ground also gives it a muscular look that it lacked with stock wheels, IMO. That being said, they're beautiful cars no matter what your taste in wheels. Loving that black with red interior, gorgeous! I bought the car with these wheels, but it came with an original spare that's never touched the ground. Fun to be able to pop front lid and show people what the stock wheel looked like and explain about TRX sizing. Always point out that the little Michelin man is still intact on the tire tread as well! Image Unavailable, Please Login
Didn't mean to come across as insulting your car. I look back at my post and see where it reads that way.....I apologize! I'm an originality buff and always prefer original wheels on any car...Ferrari, Porsche, etc. You look at any of my cars and you will see original wheels. You take great pride the care of your car and it shows. I am all for people making their car their own. It's your car and you should do what make you happy. If it brings a smile to your face t's a win!
No worries, didn't take it that way. I agree that some cars look best on stock wheels, or stock optional wheels, especially Porsches. This is my first Ferrari and it came with the wheels, and honestly with the tire limiting stock TRX set up I'm actually glad it did. On other cars a tasteful rim upgrade can make all the difference. Here's my 75 Spitfire on 14" Minilite style rims, in my eyes a definite upgrade over the stock steel rims. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Now this conversation has got me thinking about wheel etiquette on different makes of cars...obviously my Spitfire example is far different than a Ferrari, even the Mondial was quite expensive for the time when new, while the Triumph was not. Seems it's all right to modify less expensive cars, or perhaps it has to do with the exclusiveness of a marque instead? I made my living in my 20's selling Porsche parts and learned then that any Porsche with non factory wheels was looked down upon by the purists. Other German marques don't seem to have the same rules, BMW enthusiasts for example have no issue installing aftermarket rims. Just random thoughts on a Wednesday, and one more wheel pic to illustrate my point, my built and blacked out 06 M3 with powercoated OEM 18" rims... Image Unavailable, Please Login
And enough of the non-Ferrari pics, who is this weird new guy posting pedestrian rides anyway?! Here's a lovely example of a pristine Mondial Cabriolet that was in the upstairs museum collection at Cauley Ferrari in Detroit... Image Unavailable, Please Login
Hi , Are those Trx tires / metric wheels on a 3.2 cabriolet. Did’nt know that the 3.2 originally came w/ metric wheel when they were introduced in 86 . Knowledgeable members pls chime in Best regard, Luigi