zzdcar
Home
/
Reviews
/
Buying
/
At $39,995, Would You Give This Supercharged 1982 Ferrari Mondial 8 A Second Look?
At $39,995, Would You Give This Supercharged 1982 Ferrari Mondial 8 A Second Look?-June 2024
2024-02-19 EST 22:09:41

Image for article titled At $39,995, Would You Give This Supercharged 1982 Ferrari Mondial 8 A Second Look?

The Mondial 8 has never represented Ferrariat its finest. Today’s example certainly does look right dressed in its traditional coat of red, but will one-hundred additional supercharged ponies seal the deal in making its price look attractive?

In much the same way you might swipe left on a Tinder candidate whose hobbies include “avoiding personal hygiene as a form of forced societal construct” yesterday’s was skewered for its seller’s seeming unfamiliarity with vacuums and the proper use of trash receptacles.

The general consensus was: if he can’t be bothered to keep it even moderately clean, what other lapses in attention has the car suffered? In the end, that trashiness and questionable stewardship overwhelmed the car’s ultra luxury bonafides and its $11,000 asking, falling in a decisive 75 percent Crack Pipe loss.

When I was a teenager I had a T-shirt with an image of a Roots-style supercharger on it and the phrase “Injection is Nice, But I’d Rather Be Blown” framing the drawing. I wore that shirt with its inappropriate motto as both a bold testament of my teenage car guy aesthetic, and as a means of protecting my carefully cultivated virginity. It worked fabulously on both accounts.

Image for article titled At $39,995, Would You Give This Supercharged 1982 Ferrari Mondial 8 A Second Look?

Well guess what, teenage self—it turns out you don’t have to choose one of those attributes over the other! As it just so happens, today’s is both injected and blown.

The Mondial initially played the role of successor to the 308 GT4 in Ferrari’s lineup. Later in life it took up the mantle of the model of Ferrari you’d be least surprised to see being offered on Craigslist. Yes, the Mondial does have some design elements that some might charitably describe as being less than successful. You’re also darn-tootin’ in suggesting that its mid-engine, 2+2 layout offers some uniquely awkward proportions.

But who cares? Here are the facts in the Mondial’s favor:

It’s a Ferrari—you can toss its branded key on any bar in a calculated act of bravado with the same confidence you could for that for an F40. Nobody’s going to go look in the lot

While its styling will never be considered beautiful, it really hasn’t aged all that badly

Toyota copied much of the Mondial 8’s styling elements for the first generation MR2, which is a fun party conversation starter (see again: protecting one’s virginity)

It’s pretty easy to wrench on since it’s appreciably old school and reasonably easy to clambor around and under

And in this particular car’s case, there’s also that supercharger that the seller says adds over 100 horsepower to the Mondial’s 3-litre DOHC V8. Should we believe him on that account? Well, the supercharger kit applied to this car isn’t just some backyard kludge. It appears to have been . How do we know this? That’s this car in the company’s pictures touting the kit.

Image for article titled At $39,995, Would You Give This Supercharged 1982 Ferrari Mondial 8 A Second Look?

928 Motorsports claims that the kit is bolt-in, requiring no major modification to engine or bay to accommodate its big-ass snail. They say adopting the blower will boost the 200 horse DOHC V8’s output by half again. A later Quattrovalvole could see as many as 322 ponies.

Image for article titled At $39,995, Would You Give This Supercharged 1982 Ferrari Mondial 8 A Second Look?

The ad includes a couple of pictures of the drivetrain out of the car, likely for the supercharger install, and hopefully things like the timing belt and water pump.

It’s noted that the car will come with many more pics in both book and DVD form, which is fun. The install looks tidy and there’s nothing untoward in the engine bay either; no apparent oil leaks or overflow canisters made out of old PBR cans. Of course, all the add-on bits are painted in Ferrari red enamel.

The supercharger isn’t this Mondial’s only mod. Pop open either door using the levers shared with the later Fiat 2000 and Alfa Spiders and you’ll find a pair of real Recaro seats in black leather that have taken up residence inside. The small torture chamber masquerading as a rear seating compartment is also upholstered in black leather on the cushions.

Image for article titled At $39,995, Would You Give This Supercharged 1982 Ferrari Mondial 8 A Second Look?

It’s all set off against a biscuit-colored interior that, thankfully, looks clean and well cared-for. On the downside, the silver-faced JVC stereo head unit looks like the cheapest thing Walmart had on offer. That will need to go at the earliest opportunity, IMHO.

Image for article titled At $39,995, Would You Give This Supercharged 1982 Ferrari Mondial 8 A Second Look?

The exterior looks to be in excellent kit and rolls on aftermarket alloys that laudably do carry Prancing Horse center caps. I believe these cars came with Michelin TRX wheels and tires originally, so that’s a smart switch. Falcon Azenis tires wrap around those wheels.

Image for article titled At $39,995, Would You Give This Supercharged 1982 Ferrari Mondial 8 A Second Look?

The car rolls into our lives with 75,000 miles on the clock and a clear title. The seller claims that these cars have already attained classic car status and says they’ll skyrocket in price every year.

I don’t doubt that, but we still need to decide if this one—with its major mods—should go for its $39,995 asking. What do you think, is this Mondial worth that kind of cash? Or, while both injected and blown, does that price make it not so nice?

You decide!

Seattle, WA , or go if the ad disappears.

H/T to FauzShizzle for the hookup!

Help me out with NPOCP. Hit me up at and send me a fixed-price tip. Remember to include your Kinja handle.

Comments
Welcome to zzdcar comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Buying
Is This Honda-Swapped 2006 Lotus Elise A Bargain At $39,000?
Is This Honda-Swapped 2006 Lotus Elise A Bargain At $39,000?
In Yoga, there's a cross-legged meditative asana known as the lotus position. In the car world there's also a Lotus position, which involves reaching for your wallet. Today's Elise might make you grab your cash, if that is its price doesn't make you assume another position. You love the Lotus...
Jun 19, 2025
Could A Grey Market 1989 Nissan Pao Be Worth $5,899?
Could A Grey Market 1989 Nissan Pao Be Worth $5,899?
On the classic TV sitcom The Honeymooners, Jackie Gleason's character, Ralph Kramden, was famous for saying to people 'pow, right in the kisser.' Today's Nissan Pao is a JDM special, but you can buy it here, if its price isn't a punch in the teeth. It's hard to imagine that...
Jun 19, 2025
This 1971 Ford Torino Wagon Wants $5,900
This 1971 Ford Torino Wagon Wants $5,900
Today's Ford is green on the outside and gold within. The classic mid-sized wagon looks to be in great shape, but will its demand for your green and gold leave you feeling blue? Yesterday's came away with a solid 77% Nice Price win. That affirmation of value was so strong...
Jun 19, 2025
A 1984 BMW 745i Turbo for $2,800?
A 1984 BMW 745i Turbo for $2,800?
At what point does price supersede common sense? Today's factory turbo BMW E23 is cheap, but will its copious description of fabulousness and foibles make its low price seem daunting? Yesterday's received the same response as would some sort of freaky June Bug unexpectedly ricocheting around your bedroom late at...
Jun 19, 2025
Driving On The Wrong Side Of The Car Is Massively Confusing
Driving On The Wrong Side Of The Car Is Massively Confusing
I've now spent a little more time in the . Driving on the passenger side is weird. Here's what I've learned so far. 1. Your windshield wiper is not your blinker. 2. The gearshift is not located in the door panel. 3. The drive-thru is a new adventure, bring a...
Jun 19, 2025
2014 Ford Fiesta ST: The Jalopnik Review
2014 Ford Fiesta ST: The Jalopnik Review
"Remember that car? That sure was a great car. I really wish they still made that car today, because I'd totally buy one." That's a conversation that happens multiple times a day in the Jalopnik comments. Let me tell you this: years from now, the will be the subject of...
Jun 19, 2025
Copyright 2023-2025 - www.zzdcar.com All Rights Reserved