Lot 617: Ferrari Mondial Coupé

Ferrari�s first effort at building a car suitable for markets throughout the world, the Mondial 8 deployed the 308GT4�s 3.0-litre quad-cam V8 engine in a lengthened version of the latter�s chassis. Transmission and running gear remained much the same, with five-speed transaxle and independent suspension all round. Although reckoned by some to be less sporting than other Ferraris, the Mondial was still good for 140mph-plus and its ride quality and comfort scored over long distances. Considerably roomier than previous Ferrari 2+2s, the Pininfarina-styled Mondial has been described by Car magazine as, �the closest you�ll get to supercar family transport.� Developments included a proper (non-Targa) Cabriolet, the introduction of a more-powerful �Qv� (quattro-valvole: four-valves-per-cylinder) engine in 1982 and enlargement to 3.2 litres for 1985. But Ferrari had not finished with the Mondial just yet. For 1989 the V8 engine was increased in capacity once again - this time to 3.4 litres - and, demonstrating that racing really does improve the breed, transmitted its 300bhp to the road via a transversale (transverse) five-speed gearbox developed using experience of this transmission arrangement gained in Formula 1. The Mondial �t� featured two other Ferrari �firsts�: power-assisted rack and pinion steering and cockpit-adjustable ride quality control. Anti-lock brakes were another standard feature, as was air conditioning.
This right-hand drive Ferrari Mondial is a very clean and tidy example, possessing corrosion free coachwork and a well-preserved interior. The accompanying history file contains a substantial quantity of invoices and numerous expired MoT certificates, but for the last 10 years the vehicle has been maintained in house by its father-and-son, garage proprietor owners, so servicing carried out during this period has not been recorded or documented. Finished in red with cream leather interior, the car is offered with MoT to August 2009 and Swansea V5 registration document.