Highlights
- Low mileage
- Comprehensively recommissioned
- Impressive history file
- Purchase by the vendor out of long term storage
- £15,000 spent on recent recommissioning
The Appeal
Launched in 1980, initially to a lukewarm reception from Ferrari purists, the Mondial has been, until recently, something of a ‘forgotten’ classic.
Replacing the 308/208 GTV coupé, the Mondial was Ferrari’s response to ever-more stringent emissions and safety regulations, both of which affected the car’s appearance and performance.
The car was intended to blend the excitement of a sports car with the convenience of a GT; journalists and enthusiasts were initially unimpressed, but in reality the Mondial was a practical and functional Ferrari, and when production ended in 1993 output had totalled 6800 cars – more than any of its predecessors.
Here, at last, was a Ferrari produced with an eye on build quality, usability and durability – something its German rivals were proving to be very good at.
Replacing the 308/208 GTV coupé, the Mondial was Ferrari’s response to ever-more stringent emissions and safety regulations, both of which affected the car’s appearance and performance.
The car was intended to blend the excitement of a sports car with the convenience of a GT; journalists and enthusiasts were initially unimpressed, but in reality the Mondial was a practical and functional Ferrari, and when production ended in 1993 output had totalled 6800 cars – more than any of its predecessors.
Here, at last, was a Ferrari produced with an eye on build quality, usability and durability – something its German rivals were proving to be very good at.
Recently, the car has undergone something of a renaissance among Prancing-Horse enthusiasts – the Mondial was the most civilised Ferrari of its day, and provided the template for the company’s subsequent refined four-seaters.
The Mondial’s layout made it convenient to work on, and appreciation of its affordability and practicality, as well as a re-evaluation of its styling, have seen enthusiasts keen to snap up good examples, and values rise accordingly.
The Mondial’s layout made it convenient to work on, and appreciation of its affordability and practicality, as well as a re-evaluation of its styling, have seen enthusiasts keen to snap up good examples, and values rise accordingly.
FDZ 1710 has spent a significant proportion of its life off the road and in storage, which accounts for its low mileage and very original condition.
The vendor has undertaken significant recommissioning work since buying the car a little over two years ago, and consequently the car is in fine running order and looks superb.
The vendor has undertaken significant recommissioning work since buying the car a little over two years ago, and consequently the car is in fine running order and looks superb.
The History and Paperwork
- Thick file of invoices
- Complete MoT history
- MoT valid until July 2023
- Current V5
- Original owners’ manual and folder
First registered in 1982, FDZ 1710 originally carried a more standard UK plate; this Northern Ireland registration number has presumably been added by a previous owner.
The vendor purchased the car in May 2020, from a Surrey storage facility where it had been kept following the passing of its previous owner.
The car seems to have been used regularly until around 2006, from which point its mileage has increased by just a few thousand miles, as for most of this period it was in storage.
The vendor purchased the car in May 2020, from a Surrey storage facility where it had been kept following the passing of its previous owner.
The car seems to have been used regularly until around 2006, from which point its mileage has increased by just a few thousand miles, as for most of this period it was in storage.
The impressive folder of paperwork includes just about every MoT certificate throughout the car’s lifetime, and these would seem to authenticate the indicated mileage as genuine (as would the condition of the car, both inside and out).
There is also a large number of invoices dating back through the car’s life, including some which record significant expenditure at renowned Ferrari specialists Kent High Performance; this is clearly a car that has led a cherished existence.
There is also a large number of invoices dating back through the car’s life, including some which record significant expenditure at renowned Ferrari specialists Kent High Performance; this is clearly a car that has led a cherished existence.
The vendor bought the car as a ‘lockdown project’ and has carried out extensive recommissioning work to get the car in the superb condition in which it now presents.
His son is a mechanic by profession and has refurbished the brakes, sorted a number of electrical issues (pop-up headlamps, electric windows and so on) and oversaw the refurbishment of the bodywork by a local specialist.
The rear screen was also replaced (at a cost of around £2500!), but otherwise the car appears to be extremely original throughout.
His son is a mechanic by profession and has refurbished the brakes, sorted a number of electrical issues (pop-up headlamps, electric windows and so on) and oversaw the refurbishment of the bodywork by a local specialist.
The rear screen was also replaced (at a cost of around £2500!), but otherwise the car appears to be extremely original throughout.
The vendor owns other classic cars and, having enjoyed working on the car and the Ferrari ownership ‘experience’, he now feels that he doesn’t use it enough to justify keeping it.
The Interior
- Smart cream leather seats, in fantastic condition
- Original dashboard and instruments
- Clean carpets with very little wear
- Door cards clean and unmarked
- ‘+2’ rear seats
- Original tool rolls complete with tools
Open the doors, and at first glance it’s apparent that this is a car that has been well looked-after during its forty-year lifespan.
The cream leather seats have virtually no signs of wear, while the driving position is comfortable and supportive. The dashboard, dials, switchgear and centre console are all in excellent condition as are the rear ‘+2’ seats. Similarly, the door panels are in superb condition.
The cream leather seats have virtually no signs of wear, while the driving position is comfortable and supportive. The dashboard, dials, switchgear and centre console are all in excellent condition as are the rear ‘+2’ seats. Similarly, the door panels are in superb condition.
The carpets are also in clean and tidy condition, and the condition of the interior would seem to back up the assertion that the indicated mileage is genuine. The JVC stereo and the door speakers look to be later additions, and the electric aerial works as it should.
The vendor points out that the sun visors have a tendency to drop down when driving, a common problem, while the lever for releasing the seat-back of the passenger seat to allow access to the back seats doesn’t currently work.
In the glove box, there is a neat lock that fits the gearbox gate, complete with two keys, which the owner will include with the car.
In the boot, the carpet liner has some evidence of rust stains but is otherwise in very good condition. Beneath the carpet, there’s a neat compartment into which the original tool roll fits; the lid of this compartment has started to rust. The tools are all complete but show some signs of age, while a separate roll includes the original jack and wheelbrace. There is also a warning triangle in its plastic case.
Under the bonnet is a (presumably original) spare wheel and tyre, which shows signs of its age, while the radiator, battery and screenwash bottle all seem to be in good condition.
The owner will include an indoor cover for the car.
The Exterior
- Classic Pininfarina styling
- Red paintwork looks superb
- Clean badges and brightwork
- Wheels largely unmarked
- New tyres all round
Pininfarina’s sleek lines have aged well, and the car’s profile can hold its own against many more recent Ferrari models.
While red is the most common colour for Mondials (and Ferraris in general), this example looks resplendent in its excellent red paintwork.
This was done at a specialist bodyshop local to the vendor, and the vendor points out that there are a couple of minor blemishes in the paint.
You need to look carefully on the offside front and rear wings to see them, but nonetheless the vendor is to have these corrected before sale. Elsewhere the bumpers, badges, brightwork and windows all look to be in first-class condition.
While red is the most common colour for Mondials (and Ferraris in general), this example looks resplendent in its excellent red paintwork.
This was done at a specialist bodyshop local to the vendor, and the vendor points out that there are a couple of minor blemishes in the paint.
You need to look carefully on the offside front and rear wings to see them, but nonetheless the vendor is to have these corrected before sale. Elsewhere the bumpers, badges, brightwork and windows all look to be in first-class condition.
The five-spoke alloy wheels look to be a later addition, but don’t look out of place, given that later iterations of the car featured them as standard. All four are in excellent condition with no signs of corrosion or kerb damage.
The vendor has recently replaced all four tyres (Continental Sport Contacts), and these have done less than 100 miles.
The vendor has recently replaced all four tyres (Continental Sport Contacts), and these have done less than 100 miles.
The Mechanics
- 3-litre V8 engine
- 5-speed manual transmission
- Starts and runs beautifully
- Clean and tidy engine bay
- Brakes refurbished
- Belt changes at regular intervals
The car starts readily and the engine has a lovely V8 ‘note’. The vendor assures us that it drives and handles well.
Early Mondials are known to suffer electrical issues, but these have been addressed in this example, as the electric windows and pop-up headlamps weren’t working properly when the vendor purchased the car.
While the headlamps now pop-up on demand, having been fitted with new motors, the bulb in the offside headlamp wasn’t working at the time of our visit; the vendor will address this before sale.
Early Mondials are known to suffer electrical issues, but these have been addressed in this example, as the electric windows and pop-up headlamps weren’t working properly when the vendor purchased the car.
While the headlamps now pop-up on demand, having been fitted with new motors, the bulb in the offside headlamp wasn’t working at the time of our visit; the vendor will address this before sale.
Additionally, the brakes have been comprehensively refurbished, and invoices in the file of paperwork record timing belt changes by previous owners.
The engine bay is as clean and tidy as one would expect of a car that has clearly been well-maintained, and (as far as we could see) there are no issues underneath the car.
Summary
Something of a ‘sleeper’ on the classic Ferrari scene, the Mondial is an increasingly sought-after car, and values continue to rise.
It’s worth remembering that, as the initial incarnation of the Mondial, only 703 8s were made, and only 76 of those were produced with right-hand drive for the UK market; this one is a rare car.
It’s worth remembering that, as the initial incarnation of the Mondial, only 703 8s were made, and only 76 of those were produced with right-hand drive for the UK market; this one is a rare car.
A practical proposition to own and run, and a ‘usable’ Ferrari thanks to those ‘+2’ seats, there can’t be many examples around with this car’s low mileage and originality.
All the issues that arose out of this car’s long period of inactivity have been addressed – it’s ‘on the button’, looks fantastic, and is ready to be enjoyed.
All the issues that arose out of this car’s long period of inactivity have been addressed – it’s ‘on the button’, looks fantastic, and is ready to be enjoyed.
If you’ve always hankered after owning a Ferrari, this one has to be on your shortlist.
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