• One of only 51 right-hand drive Mondial T Cabriolets

 • In excellent condition with a recently refurbished interior

 • Huge collection of invoices

 • The property of a longstanding Ferrari enthusiast and collector

Anyone who had the slightest interest in cars in the 1980s will know one thing: the Ferrari F40 was king. Ferrari’s first 200mph supercar graced the bedroom walls of countless teenage car enthusiasts of the era, and is still considered nothing less than legendary today. But what about its contemporary, the oft-overlooked Mondial?

Launched in 1980 as a luxuriously-trimmed, sporty grand tourer, the Mondial had an unusually long production run for a Ferrari but it evolved significantly over time. Its ultimate incarnation was the Mondial T, built from 1988 to 1993, which featured the most powerful engine fitted in a Mondial when the Dino V8 was enlarged to 3.4-litres, giving 300bhp. While obviously not in the F40’s league performance-wise, the Mondial T would still get from 0 to 60mph in 5.6 seconds, which is enormously impressive for a four-seater car with a sumptuously-trimmed interior. It was still very exclusive, too. Only 1,017 Mondial T Cabriolets were made, of which 51 were right-hand drive.

If the comparison between the F40 and the Mondial seems inappropriate, we mention it because the vendor has owned both, and enjoyed them to the greatest possible extent. In 1986, inspired by Woolf Barnato and the Blue Train Bentley, he decided it would be good fun to race his new Mondial Cabriolet from London to Venice against the Orient Express. Not only did he win the race, but the positive publicity it generated so impressed Ferrari that he was subsequently presented with a new F40 as medal of honour.

Despite having enjoyed the very pinnacle of Ferrari performance engineering with the F40, the vendor never lost his love for the Mondial and, two years ago, bought this example. The intention was to stage a rerun of the Orient Express race on its 40th anniversary in 2026 but, sadly, he now finds himself having to part with his Ferrari for health-related reasons. It just goes to show, though, what a fine car the Mondial was, and it’s about time it stepped out from the F40’s shadow.

 • One of the first Mondial T Cabriolets, produced in September 1989 in right-hand drive for Maranello Concessionaires Ltd.

 • Originally painted in C/087 Rosso Ferrari with Crema 3997 upholstery, hood cover and red carpets

 • Sold new in January 1990 to businessman Walter F. Meyer of Robertsbridge, East Sussex, by H. R. Owen of Albemarle Street

 • Serviced at the recommended intervals between 1993 and 2015

 • Purchased by the vendor in June 2020 with a view to recreating his London to Venice run against the Orient Express

 • Paperwork includes the current V5 and 27 MoT certificates issued between 1993 and 2021

 • Enormous collection of invoices, some from well-known Ferrari specialists including Foskers, Emblem Sports Cars and Dick Lovett Swindon

 • Sold with the original owner’s wallet, which includes the handbook, Sale and Service directory, and the Owner’s Service Book

 • Confirmation of authenticity from the Maranello Concessionaires Archive
 • Lightly used in the weekends to keep it very driveable

 • All-original upholstery in excellent condition

 • Professionally renovated in 2018 by Green Leather Repairs

 • Includes the original Ferrari luggage cases

For a 32-year-old car, the interior in this Ferrari is simply remarkable. It has mellowed a little over time, but apart from a few creases in the leather there is nothing that really gives away its age. Its excellent state of presentation is no doubt due in part to the fact that the seats and interior trim were recoloured in May 2018 by Green Leather Repairs.

It’s not just the leather that looks nearly new, though. The carpets are extremely clean and we suspect they are actually fairly new pieces. They are non-original, but with their racy red piping they do look perfectly at home in the Mondial.

The dash, steering wheel and centre console all present extremely well and, again, barely show any signs of age.

It’s all highly impressive, but the best is yet to come, waiting for us inside the boot and under the bonnet (being mid-engined the Mondial has both front and rear luggage compartments). We need hardly mention that both are clean and generally in excellent order, but we would highlight the fact that, nestling within them, are three beautiful leather cases made by Ferrari, which were supplied to the vendor when he bought his first Mondial in 1986.

 • Excellent all-round condition

 • Wheels refurbished in 2003

 • Subject to some recent renovation by DB Detailing

Looking splendid in its rich coat of Rosso Ferrari paint, this is a car most of us would feel quite proud to exhibit at a car show. Shortly before it was acquired by the vendor, the Ferrari received some cosmetic renovation from DB Detailing, which included two-stage paint correction and the application of Gtechniq crystal serum, giving it up to five years’ protection. Gtechniq products were also applied to the glass, interior and wheels to help protect them over the coming months and years. The fabric roof was protected with Renovo weatherproofing and the tyres were revived with Meguiar’s Endurance.

The result is a car that looks astounding, and is well-equipped for future use. However, the vendor bought it because he didn’t consider it to be ‘too good’. Admittedly, it isn’t quite concours, and the vendor’s rationale was that he didn’t want to get a concours car embroiled in a race against a train to Venice. There are a few cosmetic flaws which are generally too small to notice, although some black marks on the rear bumper and above the passenger-side door handle are visible. Really, though, it is close to immaculate, and is in an ideal condition either for car shows or family outings.

The Ferrari five-spoke alloys deserve a particular mention for being in such good condition. It is usually the case that alloys are scuffed somewhere but these wheels, which were refurbished in 2003 by Checkpoint, are exemplary. They do bear some of the lightest marks, which are not easy to see, but we do not generally see alloy wheels in better condition.

Bidders will be pleased to know that there is a tonneau cover for the hood, although the vendor advises us that he does not believe it to be original because it is leather, whereas the covers that were supplied with the Ferraris he bought new were canvas.

 • One of the first cars to be fitted with the 3.4-litre version of the Dino V8

 • Received its last full service in July 2019

 • Last MoTed in April 2021 with minimal advisory points

One doesn’t have to be driving fast to appreciate the engineering of the Mondial. While we don’t encourage antisocial use of the accelerator pedal, the fact remains that indulging in a little bit of throttle while cruising along a narrow road is an act guaranteed to make any car enthusiast smile, as the howl of the exhaust reverberates around the houses on either side.

If it weren’t for that great show-off, the F40, the Mondial would be much better remembered as the brilliant performer that it is, and this one looks to be in the very best health. It has been loved and cared for across its whole life, having only missed one of its services at the intervals recommended in the handbook. Its most recent full service was conducted by Eta Mechanics of Farnborough, Hampshire, in July 2019 and, since it has covered fewer than a thousand miles since then, it should be a while before it needs any further attention.

The Ferrari was last MoTed in April 2021, with no advisory points except for three of the tyres getting close to the legal tread limit. To which the seller has addressed right away and had a new set of tires fitted along with a new battery.

The MoT expired only a few weeks ago but, like we say, with such little recent use we think it’s very unlikely that anything should have arisen since the last test.

In addition to regular servicing, the engine and gearbox were removed in 2014 and all the seals and gaskets were renewed to eliminate oil leaks.

The fact that the Mondial has been so underrated for so long means that it’s something of a bargain Ferrari, but it won’t stay that way forever so we’d suggest taking the opportunity to buy one while they’re still relatively affordable.

This is an absolutely superlative example which has been loved and cared for all its life, and let’s not forget that with the 3.4-litre V8 it represents the model at its very best. With so few Mondial t Cabriolets made, and even fewer in right-hand drive, rarity, usability and performance are all attributes that work in this car’s favour. If you buy it, you’ll find it opens the door to a whole world of enjoyable motoring. You could even do as the vendor intended and book a holiday (of sorts) to Venice…