4-Seat Mid-Engine Ragtop: 1984 Ferrari Mondial Quattrovalvole Cabriolet
A few years ago a friend asked for recommendations for a late model 4 seat convertible and as I did the requisite research, I discovered that there aren’t that many convertibles with back seats. They do exist and, oddly enough, Mercedes-Benz built quite a few in the past few years with its S-Class, E-Class, C-Class convertibles that seem to conflict needlessly with SLC convertible…but I don’t believe I discovered the existence of any mid-engine convertibles, except the Ferrari Mondial. Could this be the only 4-seat mid-engine car produced in any significant quantity? Find this 1984 Ferrari Mondial Quattrovalvole Cabriolet offered for $34,000 in Los Angeles, CA via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!
From the seller:
1984 Ferrari Mondial
condition: excellent
cylinders: 8 cylinders
fuel: gas
odometer: 41394
paint color: red
title status: clean
transmission: manual
type: convertible
Hello,This 1984 Ferrari Mondial Quattrovalvole cabriolet is finished in Rosso Corsa with a black soft top over a black leather interior and is powered by a 2.9-liter 32-valve V8 paired with a five-speed manual transaxle. Equipment includes a gated shifter, air conditioning, Cromodora wheels. Now showing just under 41,391 miles, this Mondial has service records, a clean Carfax report, and a clean california title. The paint seems to be mostly original. There are some small small chips. The rear and front bumper have newly been professionally refinished. It drives really nice and shifts amazing. The windows roll up/down really slow.
The service in 2016 included the following at the time the car had 41,346 miles now it has 41,391 miles.
-timing belts
-belt tensioner
-oil filter
-fuel filter
-air filter
-complete maintenance service
-front wheel bracket replacements
-left and right valve cover gaskets
-all belts changed
-hoses changed
-4 brand new Michelin Pilot Sport TiresTotaling over $7200
Feel free to contact me for more info, records pictures, and videos.
Asking $35,000 OBO
See a better way to drive 4 people with a mid engine in the open air? tips@dailyturismo.com
About 8-10 years ago I came across a hardtop Mondial on a consignment lot that was likely the most beaten (but running) Ferrari in existence. Everything was worn out and the exterior had been “touched up†in large areas with a brush and house paint (not an exaggeration).
The asking price was $10K. The temptation to buy a legitimate (debatable) prancing horse for chump change was almost irresistible. I figured I’d service and drive it until something big blew up and then swap in a low mile SBC lump or equivalent on the cheap and keep going.
Looking back, I made the right choice to turn and run because there was no way to do it without getting financially hosed, but something about daily driving a true turd of a Ferrari would have fed my soul.
Everyone should really own a Ferrari at least once before they die. Even if that Ferrari is the reason for their death (via fire or angry wife)…it would be worth it.
There was a guy in Oregon 15 years ago who had a 328GTB with 140,000 miles on the original engine. He’d had the timing belts changed three times. No smoke, ran perfect.
I went home and found a thread discussing 328 timing belts when dealers predicted imminent destruction without a $8,000 timing belt service every 15,000 miles. The owners said there was no known belt failures, ever.
The hardtop version of these looks rather awkward, but the convertible top seems to improve things a bit.
I found a lime-green 1964 330 GT 2+2 and used it for a couple of years. The V12 sound is fantastic and women love the Pininfarina car since it is such a gorgeous leather interior and they can bring kids and luggage. The V12 sounds fantastic, the 4-speed with Dunlop OD works great and even cops did not stop me when driven in an adult manner. Good old Enzo built these cars so that he could make money and race, so he cut corners where he could. All the electrical stuff was British and that was suspect in those years. It had a solid rear axle and rode like a truck until driven beyond legal speed. I always wanted a navy Daytona, but they were as much as a house in those days. Fond memories and smart not to keep it too long.
Just looking at that pics of these things can cost upwards of $14K in services.