The last and best variant of an interesting 20-year experiment that Ferrari ran, the Mondial t is a lovely and underappreciated model that experienced Ferrari enthusiasts recognize as one of the best Ferraris of the era. The model traces its history back to the 308 GT4, which appeared to either replace or supplement the 246 Dino in 1973. Under the skin, the new car was largely the same as the 246, aside from having a V8 in place of the V6, but externally, it was dramatically different, with controversial Marcello Gandini-penned Bertone styling. Its looks were contemporary, but fitting four seats and an engine, even if it was transversely mounted, inside of the wheelbase gave the GT4 proportions that never quite sang. A more conventionally beautiful Pininfarina-styled GTB variant of the 308 followed two years later, and the two models coexisted for the second half of the 70s, offering entry level Ferrari buyers the choice of two or four seats in packages that were mechanically very similar.
Evidently, buyers liked the choice enough for Ferrari to replace rather than retire the GT4 in 1980. The new car, called the Mondial 8, was styled by Pininfarina but retained most of the 308’s mechanical ingredients including its 2.9 liter V8 which was by now fuel injected. Like the 308, a four-valve version followed, and when the 308 became the 328 thanks to a displacement increase to 3.2 liters, the Mondial did the same. At this time, the Mondial also gained much of the same modernization treatment as the 328 such as more neatly integrated body-color wraparound bumpers, tidier auxiliary front lighting, and more contemporary interior styling.
When the 328 gave way to the 348, the Mondial, surprisingly, was also updated despite substantial mechanical changes including a switch from transverse to longitudinal engine orientation. This variant of the car was called the Mondial t, and shockingly, this new longitudinal arrangement fit just fine in the Mondial t. The interior was also substantially revised including a new dashboard. This saw power rise from 214hp in the Mondial 8 to 300 hp in this final Mondial variant. Most of the Mondial t production run for the United States was Cabriolets, the model was available in the US until 1992. Interestingly, the coupe was available only for the 1989 model year, making it an exceptionally rare car that also represents the top of the heap of Mondial desirability. According to a letter from Ferrari North America, just 43 Mondial t Coupes were sold in the US.
This particular example was sold new on the 12th of April 1990 at Classic Ferrari Inc. in Richardson, Texas and has covered 40,000 miles from new. Per the included service book, the car received its first and second services at the original selling dealer in June of 1990 and March of 1992 (at 7,617 miles). Its third and fourth services were performed at Lake Forest Sportscars in Illinois in 1996 and 2004. It received a belt service in 2019 at Ferrari of Salt Lake City, at which time the clutch and throw-out bearing were also replaced. Its current owner purchased the car in July 2021 in Salt Lake City and installed an upgraded alternator shortly thereafter (the original is also included). The car received its most recent timing belt replacement in November 2024 by the Patrick Ottis Company in Berkeley, California. At this time, the fuel pressure regulators and fuel pumps were also replaced, as were various rubber fuel tank components which were showing age. The battery and tires were also replaced during this service. Included with the car are invoices from the present and prior ownership period showing the last two belt services plus a few other invoices. The original books set, tools and red Ferrari car cover are also included.
