Back in the 50s, the automotive industry had embraced technological advancement so much that most cars in production didn’t last more than a couple of years before being replaced by a new model. This would continue up until the 70s when a whole new set of challenges would impact the automotive scene. Now production was far more expensive to run and there were new methods of manufacturing. This meant that now models remained in production for far longer. But to keep such models competitive, car manufacturers would need to make regular updates every couple of years. The Ferrari Mondial is a perfect example of a long-production model which first came out in 1980 as a successor to the 308 GT4. And just like the 308, the Mondial still featured the mid-engine, 2+2 seat design that was meant to pull away car buyers from the far more successful Porsche 911. But it wasn’t until 1989 when the Mondial received its final update and was named the Mondial t. The Mondial t horsepower stood at 300 which was quite impressive even by modern standards. Let’s explore this amazing car in our Mondial t review where we will even delve into the Mondial t prices to find out how much you need to get yourself one of these. Let’s go!
Ferrari would use a lot of its resources for the development of the Mondial t and the reason for this was that Ferrari had phased out the larger 412i meaning that now it would be the Mondial t that would feature the 2+2 seats configuration. The Mondial t would also get an update for the engine and gearbox. Unlike the 308, the engine in the Mondial t would be set longitudinally while the gearbox was set transversely. This allowed the engine to sit up to 13 cm lower resulting in better handling. The engine was also larger from a previous 3.2 liter to a now 3.4 liter in the Mondial t. Moreover, the car would also get power steering, electronic adjustable dampers plus several other cosmetic upgrades. It was in the March of 1989 when the Ferrari Mondial t was showcased at the Geneva Motor Show. The car would be available in both coupe and Cabriolet styles. Where was the Mondial t made? The vehicle was assembled at the company factory in Modena, Italy. But the Mondial would cease production in 1993. And how many Mondial t cabriolet were produced you might wonder? 1017 Mondial T cabriolet were built, 51 of which were right-hand drive. And you are probably wondering, which vehicle came in as the Mondial t cabriolet successor. But there was none as Ferrari would discontinue the 2+2 seat concept. Let’s now dive deeper into our Ferrari Mondial t cabriolet review to discover what makes this particular model special. If you are searching for a car, check out Exotic Car Trader’s huge listing where you are guaranteed to find your perfect ride.
The 3.4-liter engine mounted on the Mondial t featured what had become uncommon with Ferrari engines and that is one that ran on dry sump. The previous fuel injection system was now replaced by the Bosch Motronic M2.5 management system. The engine featured four valves for each cylinder and dual overhead camshafts with the block constructed from a light alloy. It now had an extra 2mm of bore and 2mm of stroke resulting in a displacement increase from 3185cc to 3405cc. There was also an increase in the compression ratio from 9.8 to 10.4:1. The new engine could produce 300bhp at 7000 rpms and 238 lb.-ft of torque. But you might be asking yourself, why the ‘t’ in the name? Well, this simply indicated the transverse mounting of the Ferrari Mondial t gearbox. Speaking of, it was a 5-speed manual. The Ferrari Mondial t cabriolet weight was 1468kgs making it up to 68 kilos heavier than the previous model. There was an improvement of the Mondial t cabriolet top-speed of 158 mph with a Mondial t cabriolet 0-60 of under 6.5 seconds. There were some modifications done soon after the first Mondial t was showcased in Geneva Motor Show in 1989. A year later, there was a complete replacement of the engine management system where Ferrari installed a new Bosch M2.7. All cars would now feature catalytic converters. As a result, there was a drop in the Mondial t cabriolet horsepower and torque figures. Near the production end of the Mondial T, Ferrari would add a clutch-less manual gearbox. This transmission made use of an electronic clutch. While it would prove highly functional, Ferrari would drop it in favor of the paddle shifter system of the F1. Looking to buy a car? Check out Exotic Car Trader. We are your partners throughout the car buying process and will hold your hand until your car is delivered to your door regardless of your state.
There were some major updates made on the Mondial t Cabriolet interior. For one, the instrument binnacle would get an all-new shape while also adding a vertical control panel. There were two larger gauges for both speed and road readings and at the center of these were the water temperature and oil pressure gauges. The fuel gauge and the oil temperature gauges were situated at the ends. As for the seats, these also came with a completely new Mondial t cabriolet design. For one the Ferrari Mondial t Cabriolet offered even more storage space at the back by simply folding the back seats. This however meant removing the back armrests that were in the previous model. The grab panels for the doors also changed and housed the window switches and were no longer in the center console like in the previous model. You could get the Mondial t with standard leather seats, electric windows, tinted windows, as well as electric mirrors. As options, you could get the Mondial t carburetor with metallic paint, leather upholstery on the headliner and dash as well as Schedoni luggage. In the Ferrari Mondial t Cabriolet, the rear seats were smaller compared to the coupe because of the space needed to accommodate the folding soft top which was made of canvas. Also due to this fact, the Cabriolet would feature an 86-liter fuel tank compared to the one on the coupe at 96 liters.
It was Pininfarina who designed the Mondial 3.2 bodywork in 1985. They got the design so right that only a few tweaks needed to be made in the body of the Mondial t. One of these was the much smaller intake ducts situated on the rear fenders which themselves had been reprofiled. The door catches also featured new colors and there was the Mondial t discretely mounted on the tail fascia. Not forgetting the pop-up headlights which this time instead of the twin circular lenses featured one rectangular lens. Ferrari saw these minor changes as ideal to help keep the Mondial relevant through to the last days of production. The body was predominantly constructed out of steel. The bumpers, however, were built of fiberglass.
When it comes to the Mondial t cabriolet technology, it featured a tubular frame and an F108 AL/DL subframe that held the engine, gearbox as well as rear suspension in place. What this meant was that one could take these parts out much easier. However, the wheelbase remained the same at 2650mm. But the main difference was in the tracks which became 2mm wider at the front while up to 50mm wider at the back. The car featured anti-roll bars on both ends. It also came with double wishbones suspension with coil springs and telescopic shocks. Furthermore, the car also came with the Bilstein adjustable dampers which took the place of the Koni shocks used in the previous models. The fuel tank was larger this time from a previous 80-liter to a now 96-liter capacity. It was situated right under the back seats. As for the brakes, these were taken from the outgoing Mondial 3.2 and featured standard ventilated discs on all four wheels. At the front were the same 7-inch wheels with 8-inch wheels at the back and ran on either Goodyear, Eagle, or Michelin MXX tires. Searching for your perfect car online? Check out Exotic Car Trader’s online car-buying guide for a step-by-step tutorial on how you can do this.
By now you are probably asking yourself, how much is a Mondial t[N1] cabriolet worth? Well, remember this is a Ferrari so it won’t come cheap but it is easier to get our hands on one compared to some of the more exotic and classic Ferrari models. That said, let’s get to the figures, shall we? The Mondial T cabriolet has an average auction price of $59,965. Note, however, that prices can get as high as $93,000 depending on the Mondial t Cabriolet trim levels. A useful bit of information to keep in mind when considering a Ferrari Mondial t cabriolet for sale. Looking to sell your car? List it on Exotic Car Trader and start connecting with potential buyers today!
In our Ferrari Mondial t Cabriolet review, we’ve seen how this was Ferrari’s last car with the 2+2 seat configuration. At 300bhp it boasts impressive stats even by modern standards. Its exterior body design was done so well by Pininfarina that only minor tweaks were needed in the Mondial t. Considering its position in Ferrari’s history it boards well with car collectors and is a great choice to have as a car connoisseur.
Exotic Car Trader is the fastest growing marketplace built specifically for automotive enthusiasts. Click below to learn how you can sell your car with us.
LEARN MORE
