1985 Ferrari Mondial Quattrovalvole Coupe on 2040-cars

I bought this car out of California a few months ago with the idea that it would make a good project. While waiting on this car to get picked up and delivered (took a couple of months) I bought another Mondial (a 3.2). I really don’t need two Mondial’s.

The car is a 1985 Mondial QV Coupe in Grigio Metallic (Silver) with black interior…a rare combination. For those who don’t know about the Mondial, I have copied some info from Wikipedia:

The Ferrari Mondial is a 2+2 coupe automobile produced by Ferrari from 1980 through 1993. It replaced the angular 208/308 GT4. The "Mondial" name came from Ferrari's history — the famed 500 Mondial race car of the early 1950s. Despite its predecessor being Bertone styled, the Mondial saw Ferrari return to Pininfarina for styling. It was sold as a mid-sized coupe and, eventually, a cabriolet. The Mondial was conceived as a 'usable' model, offering the practicality of four seats and the performance of a Ferrari. The car had a slightly higher roofline than its stablemates, with a single long door either side, offering easy access and good interior space, reasonable rear legroom, while all-round visibility was excellent.

The Mondial was produced in fairly high numbers for a Ferrari, with more than 6,800 produced in its 13-year run, and was one of Ferrari's most commercially successful models. The car body was not built as a monocoque in the same way as a conventional car; the steel outer body was produced by the famous Italian coachbuilder Carrozzeria Scaglietti, just down the road in nearby Modena, built over a lightweight steel box-section space frame. The engine cover and rear luggage compartment lids are in light alloy. The seats and interior were trimmed in Connolly hide, contrasting with the body color. Most cars were painted rosso red, but some were black or silver, and a few were dark blue.

The Mondial was the first Ferrari car where the entire engine/gearbox/rear suspension assembly was mounted on a detachable steel subframe, making engine removal for a major rebuild or cylinder head removal much easier than it was on previous models. Unusually, the handbrake is situated between the driver's seat and the inner sill. Once the handbrake is set it drops down so as not to impede egress and ingress. Instead of the conventional "H" shift pattern, the gearbox has 1st gear situated in a "dog leg" to the left and back, behind reverse. This pattern allows quicker gear shifts between 2nd and 3rd gear, and also between 4th and 5th.

The first Mondial engine, although a DOHC design, used just two valves per cylinder. The 1982 Quattrovalvole or QV introduced a new four-valve head, the combustion chamber design was purportedly based on the early eighties Formula 1 engine. Again, the engine was shared with the contemporary 308 GTB/GTS QV, and produced a much more respectable 240 hp (179 kW). Appearance was largely as per the Mondial 8, although with red engine heads and prominent "quattrovalvole" script at the rear.

Before we go any farther let’s start with the bad. Most would try to gloss over this part. As you can tell from my feedback, that's not my style. If you have unrealistic expectation about a 30 year old car let's get those over with now:

1. The car has a SALVAGE title. I bought it that way. That is a recent occurrence from drywall falling on the car while in long-term storage and scratching some of the paint and putting a couple small dings in the car. Why the insurance wrote it off is beyond me.

2. The car will need new paint. I believe that the paint is original (other than some older repaint in the right rear quarter). The car looks decent overall; however, the roof has  sun damage from living its life in CA and AZ. There are also several scratches and small dents from the drywall and normal door dings. All the dents could be removed by a paintless dent removal person. They are all negligible.

3. The mileage is not correct. The speedometer does not work so the mileage is unknown. It currently reads around 49K miles.

4. The rims/tires appear to be the original TRX (which has led me and others to believe that the mileage is close to correct). The tires hold air and you can drive on them (I’ve driven around 30 miles) but I certainly wouldn’t drive them far or fast

5. The car should have the cam belts replaced since the date of the last major is unknown

6. The driver’s seat has a split seam. It needs to be re-sewn.

So, if you are still with me let’s go over the good:

1. It’s a Ferrari!

2. The Quattrovalvoe engine runs very nicely. It starts up quickly with no smoke and holds good oil pressure. It makes no unusual noises and pulls strongly. For those who don’t know, this the EXACT same engine (and 5 speed transmission) used in the Ferrari 308 QV.

3. A second radiator fan was added by the previous owner (who owned the car for 20 years) for the CA and AZ climate. The car runs nice and cool

4. Other than the speedometer EVERYTHING WORKS! Although the windows are slow (typical Mondial, 308, 328, etc. issue) everything works as intended! The sunroof, electrical release for trunk/bonnet/gas/glovebox, cap, gauges, door locks, mirrors, wipers, headlights, fog lights, turn signal, horn, and even the warning console work!

5. The car drives out nicely. In deference to the tires I haven’t had it above 60 mph but the car stops straight and true, clutch action is nice, gear changes are excellent with no grinding, steering is tight, shocks are tight, etc.

6. Engine cooling hoses were replaced with the expensive silicon hoses at some point…an expensive and recommended upgrade

7.  New oil filter/oil change

8. The cam belts are flexible (not brittle) but should be changed since the age is unknown. Two NEW cam belts are included

9. The interior condition is nice overall. The dash is very nice with cracks or tears, the carpets are in good condition, the back seats and console are nice. Other than the driver’s seat needing a seam repaired the interior will clean up nicely with some leather conditioner and elbow grease

10.  All the glass is original (with the Ferrari logos) and is in nice shape.

11. All badges and trim are present and good condition.

12. The side vents are intact and are not cracked or missing pieces

13. The aluminum trunk, engine lid and bonnet are straight

14. It’s a Ferrari!

In all seriousness, this car could be parted out (from what I have read the QV engine is worth approximately $10K); however, the car really has too much going for it to do that. QV coupes are rare in the US and it would be a shame for this car to be broken apart when the ONLY thing the car truly needs to be beautiful is cosmetics.

Basic research will show that the Mondial (8 through 3.2) and 308/328’s were the last Ferrari’s that could be easily serviced by the home mechanic with normal tools. You can do all the service with the engine in the car (unlike the Mondial t which uses the Ferrari 348 drivetrain) and parts for the major, while not as cheap as Ford Taurus parts, are readily available.

This car is perfect for the person that wants a Ferrari but doesn’t have or want to spend the money it takes to buy a perfect one. With some elbow grease and some paint you can have a beautiful and increasingly rare Ferrari in your garage…a car that makes all the right noises and will be unique no matter where you live!

Buyer is responsible for shipping. If you have zero feedback contact me before bidding. I am not interested in any trades.

 Correction of typo...the dash has NO cracks or tears