1981 Ferrari Mondial 8

Launched at the 1980 Geneva Auto Salon, the Mondial was the first Ferrari to depart from the company"s familiar three-digit naming scheme and its name was inspired by their famous Mondial sports-racers from the fifties. The Mondial saw Ferrari return to Pininfarina as its choice of styling house, and it was sold as a mid-sized coupé and, eventually, a cabriolet. Conceived as a 'more usable' model, offering the practicality of four seats with the performance of a mid-range Ferrari and hopefully attracting a slightly wider audience than their traditionally more focused two-seaters. The car was not built as a monocoque in the conventional way, but instead, the steel outer body was produced by the famous Italian coachbuilder Carrozzeria Scaglietti, just down the road in nearby Modena and clothed a lightweight steel box-section space frame. The Mondial was the first Ferrari where the entire engine/gearbox/rear suspension assembly was mounted on a detachable steel sub-frame, making engine removal for a major rebuild or cylinder head removal much easier than it had been on earlier models. In common with most Ferraris launched in the 1980s, the Mondial received several updates until it was discontinued in 1993. The first iteration was dubbed Mondial 8 and was sold for roughly three years, between 1980 and 1982. Production ended at 703 units, about 12-percent of the total Mondial run in 13 years.

The 1981, 3-litre Mondial 8 for sale here has spent many of its recent years hidden in a barn, but has now managed to escape and is ready for a new owner. The car is complete, starts and runs, and doesn't look in bad shape at all but will definitely need a light to medium restoration. The odometer indicates 35,000 kms, which may well be correct, but there is no history or paperwork with the car that can confirm this although we understand it was originally registered in Italy. A NOVA number will be issued prior to the sale. Looking at the car, it appears a very solid basis for a restoration with the interior needing most of the work

In the past Mondials have not been seen as the most desirable of small Ferraris, however, with the passage of time, their smooth looks, willing engine and excellent handling are now gaining respect.

Parts are available and this model is comparatively easy to work on, so this car, at no reserve, must surely be the most affordable way into Ferrari ownership.