[Llarry]

The innovative 308 GT4 was followed by another mid-engine V-8 2+2 in 1980: The Ferrari Mondial. This time Pininfarina did the styling honors and it was not bad looking, although a mid-engine 2+2 will never have that "long hood" look that was a Ferrari tradition.

The Mondial had a 100 mm (4 inch) wheelbase stretch over the 308 GT4 to provide more room but the rear seat was still a bit tight. There was a luggage compartment behind the engine, but it tended to get warm; not a place to store chocolate.

The Mondial was introduced as Ferrari adopted the Michelin TRX metric tire system and used 220/55VR-390 tires in front and 240/55VR-390 tires in the rear. It had an unusually long model run (1980 to 1993) and later adopted 16-inch wheels with 205/55R-16 front and 225/55R-16 rear tires. Late models got anti-lock braking systems.

The engine evolved along with the 2-seat V-8 models produced at the same time, The initial model Mondial 8 put out just 205 hp, making it one of slowest Ferraris ever. In 1982 it got the 4-valve engine with a bump to 230 hp. In 1985 the engine was enlarged to 3.2 liters and made 260 hp. Finally in 1988, the Mondial t was enlarged to 3.4 liters and gave 300 hp.

About 6,000 Mondials of all types were sold over the long model run. Today, they are often the least expensive used Ferraris available.