Owning an 80's Ferrari
Discussion
With the impending arrival of Jones Junior sadly it's time to say goodbye to the Mondial.
It's been a great experience and we've only had positive experiences from other drivers and passers buy who've stopped for a chat.
This being my first Ferrari I had a lot of preconceived ideas about the Mondial, most of which were negative and none of which turned out to be true.
These are some of the things that surprised me most. Just how comfortable it was whilst still cornering flat and feeling like a sports car. You could drive on the motorway with the roof down at 120kph with virtually no wind buffeting for hours. We did a few day trips to the Hunter Valley with four adults and came back with a boot stuffed full of boxes of wine and no one complaining, there really is a lot of space inside.
I love the fact it feels like a sports car as I had imagined it would be a slightly mushy cruiser but point it down the Putty Road and it is huge fun. The non assisted steering gives a level of feedback you just don't get in modern sports cars and the manual gearbox that feels super stiff around town suddenly feels really positive when driving with a bit of intent and the brakes are similar, at town speeds they feel a touch dead but pushing on they have lots of feel.
It hasn't been too expensive to run although the 3.2 V8 likes a drink if you take it up to it's 8500rpm redline!!! And you will, because at below 5000rpm it's a bit of a non event in terms of power and sound but keep your toe in and the engine really comes alive and sounds like a ferrari V8 should. I had been told the cam belts service was a huge expense but the 3.2 can be done with the engine in situ and came in around $700 from one of the specialists. The Dealers charge a fortune for parts, in many cases two or three times the specialists price but to be fair to them the local one in Sydney only charges $99 an hour labour for cars older than 10 years and I found them willing to reduce their parts prices if pushed. It was also nice for the ego to have all the Service guys come and tell me how great it was to see a classic in the workshop but they had all refused to move the car because they were worried about driving a manual with no power steering! The only other item I've had to address was a new set of plugs and a leaking clutch slave cylinder. This was interesting because it turned out to be the same part as used by Alfa Romeo, the Ferrari part was $550, the Alfa part was $75 and it takes about 2 hours to replace.
Some interesting Italian quirkiness means it has the biggest panel gaps you will see this side of an F40 and if you want to open the fuel filler you have to first open the boot, then pull a lever in the boot that opens the engine compartment then pull another lever that opens the fuel filler cap! Mind you that's only because the solenoid for opening the fuel filler cap is broken and at $500 for a new one (it must cost about 30 cents to make) I'll put up with the routine. Actually, I love the fact that Ferrari had so little confidence in their own electrics that they put such a massive amount of effort into building a manual work around. It also means you fill up with the engine lid open and can look at the gorgeous V8 with it's red crackle cam covers.
The overall ownership experience has been fun. The Ferrari Chat website is a mind of useful info although the US and UK sections are the most helpful. I found the Aus section a bit of a clique but useful if you can get past that.
Anyway, here's some pics and if you know anyone interested in taking up the challenge point them in my direction - there's a beer in it for you
It's been a great experience and we've only had positive experiences from other drivers and passers buy who've stopped for a chat.
This being my first Ferrari I had a lot of preconceived ideas about the Mondial, most of which were negative and none of which turned out to be true.
These are some of the things that surprised me most. Just how comfortable it was whilst still cornering flat and feeling like a sports car. You could drive on the motorway with the roof down at 120kph with virtually no wind buffeting for hours. We did a few day trips to the Hunter Valley with four adults and came back with a boot stuffed full of boxes of wine and no one complaining, there really is a lot of space inside.
I love the fact it feels like a sports car as I had imagined it would be a slightly mushy cruiser but point it down the Putty Road and it is huge fun. The non assisted steering gives a level of feedback you just don't get in modern sports cars and the manual gearbox that feels super stiff around town suddenly feels really positive when driving with a bit of intent and the brakes are similar, at town speeds they feel a touch dead but pushing on they have lots of feel.
It hasn't been too expensive to run although the 3.2 V8 likes a drink if you take it up to it's 8500rpm redline!!! And you will, because at below 5000rpm it's a bit of a non event in terms of power and sound but keep your toe in and the engine really comes alive and sounds like a ferrari V8 should. I had been told the cam belts service was a huge expense but the 3.2 can be done with the engine in situ and came in around $700 from one of the specialists. The Dealers charge a fortune for parts, in many cases two or three times the specialists price but to be fair to them the local one in Sydney only charges $99 an hour labour for cars older than 10 years and I found them willing to reduce their parts prices if pushed. It was also nice for the ego to have all the Service guys come and tell me how great it was to see a classic in the workshop but they had all refused to move the car because they were worried about driving a manual with no power steering! The only other item I've had to address was a new set of plugs and a leaking clutch slave cylinder. This was interesting because it turned out to be the same part as used by Alfa Romeo, the Ferrari part was $550, the Alfa part was $75 and it takes about 2 hours to replace.
Some interesting Italian quirkiness means it has the biggest panel gaps you will see this side of an F40 and if you want to open the fuel filler you have to first open the boot, then pull a lever in the boot that opens the engine compartment then pull another lever that opens the fuel filler cap! Mind you that's only because the solenoid for opening the fuel filler cap is broken and at $500 for a new one (it must cost about 30 cents to make) I'll put up with the routine. Actually, I love the fact that Ferrari had so little confidence in their own electrics that they put such a massive amount of effort into building a manual work around. It also means you fill up with the engine lid open and can look at the gorgeous V8 with it's red crackle cam covers.
The overall ownership experience has been fun. The Ferrari Chat website is a mind of useful info although the US and UK sections are the most helpful. I found the Aus section a bit of a clique but useful if you can get past that.
Anyway, here's some pics and if you know anyone interested in taking up the challenge point them in my direction - there's a beer in it for you
I've only driven a couple of Ferraris.
I raced the old LM250 a couple of times, but mostly it was a fish out of water here. Designed for LeMans, & endurance racing, it was racing hot rod V8 powered cars in 10 lap sprints.
The other was a GT B in the Surfers paradise endurance race in 68, as part of the Scuderia Veloce 3 Ferrari team. The P4 just from Le Mans the LM250, & the GT B. It really was not suitable for racing, but still easily won it's class, & the old LM showed it's class winning outright easily, after the P4 was damaged.
The GT B was not really suitable for the road in Oz in those days either. The owner got rid of it not much later. It was sideswiped for the third time, by some driver staring so hard, they drifted over into it.
It sounds like your experience was much more pleasant.
I raced the old LM250 a couple of times, but mostly it was a fish out of water here. Designed for LeMans, & endurance racing, it was racing hot rod V8 powered cars in 10 lap sprints.
The other was a GT B in the Surfers paradise endurance race in 68, as part of the Scuderia Veloce 3 Ferrari team. The P4 just from Le Mans the LM250, & the GT B. It really was not suitable for racing, but still easily won it's class, & the old LM showed it's class winning outright easily, after the P4 was damaged.
The GT B was not really suitable for the road in Oz in those days either. The owner got rid of it not much later. It was sideswiped for the third time, by some driver staring so hard, they drifted over into it.
It sounds like your experience was much more pleasant.
Hasbeen said:
I've only driven a couple of Ferraris.
I raced the old LM250 a couple of times, but mostly it was a fish out of water here. Designed for LeMans, & endurance racing, it was racing hot rod V8 powered cars in 10 lap sprints.
The other was a GT B in the Surfers paradise endurance race in 68, as part of the Scuderia Veloce 3 Ferrari team. The P4 just from Le Mans the LM250, & the GT B. It really was not suitable for racing, but still easily won it's class, & the old LM showed it's class winning outright easily, after the P4 was damaged.
The GT B was not really suitable for the road in Oz in those days either. The owner got rid of it not much later. It was sideswiped for the third time, by some driver staring so hard, they drifted over into it.
It sounds like your experience was much more pleasant.
Love to hear this sort of stuff. Can only dream of driving an LM250 although I saw one at the Australia Day car parade in Centennial Park a coule of years ago I raced the old LM250 a couple of times, but mostly it was a fish out of water here. Designed for LeMans, & endurance racing, it was racing hot rod V8 powered cars in 10 lap sprints.
The other was a GT B in the Surfers paradise endurance race in 68, as part of the Scuderia Veloce 3 Ferrari team. The P4 just from Le Mans the LM250, & the GT B. It really was not suitable for racing, but still easily won it's class, & the old LM showed it's class winning outright easily, after the P4 was damaged.
The GT B was not really suitable for the road in Oz in those days either. The owner got rid of it not much later. It was sideswiped for the third time, by some driver staring so hard, they drifted over into it.
It sounds like your experience was much more pleasant.
BTW, did you know Keith Ahlers? I occassionaly raced against him in his beast of a Morgan and I know he raced at Bathurst.
custardtart said:
Love to hear this sort of stuff. Can only dream of driving an LM250 although I saw one at the Australia Day car parade in Centennial Park a coule of years ago
BTW, did you know Keith Ahlers? I occassionaly raced against him in his beast of a Morgan and I know he raced at Bathurst.
No he must have been after my time. I only raced the Morgan in 63 & 64, then went to open wheelers.BTW, did you know Keith Ahlers? I occassionaly raced against him in his beast of a Morgan and I know he raced at Bathurst.
Did you come up against Bruce Callahan in his Morgan. It was a bity of a beast when he finally got it onto the track?
Here is a photo of that GTB at Surfers. It is a bit the worst for wear having spent too much time sailing around the pacific with me.
Note the movie camera bolted to the front. This was probably the first "incar camera" attempt in Oz. The only problem was I had to point the car at what ever I was trying to film, usually one of the top cars in the race, as they lapped me. With only 3 minutes of film, I had to turn it on only with something worth filming.
Getting this thing sideways, to point at an interesting car, steering one handed as I flicked the camera switch, at 125 MPH under the Dunlop Bridge at the end of the straight, was hairy to say the least. It also proved useless, as after the race they found a rock had gone through the lens after just 3 seconds of filming.
It was not a great track car, built more for American boulevard cruising, but it sure is bloody beautiful, one of the most beautiful cars of any vintage.
It certainly wasn't slow. It was getting well over 150 miles/hour at the end of the straight, which was right up there with the best of them.
Note the movie camera bolted to the front. This was probably the first "incar camera" attempt in Oz. The only problem was I had to point the car at what ever I was trying to film, usually one of the top cars in the race, as they lapped me. With only 3 minutes of film, I had to turn it on only with something worth filming.
Getting this thing sideways, to point at an interesting car, steering one handed as I flicked the camera switch, at 125 MPH under the Dunlop Bridge at the end of the straight, was hairy to say the least. It also proved useless, as after the race they found a rock had gone through the lens after just 3 seconds of filming.
It was not a great track car, built more for American boulevard cruising, but it sure is bloody beautiful, one of the most beautiful cars of any vintage.
It certainly wasn't slow. It was getting well over 150 miles/hour at the end of the straight, which was right up there with the best of them.
Edited by Hasbeen on Friday 7th February 15:14
There is a funny story about that race.
I had only started the GT B once, at the start of the race. They had a "sort off" LeMans start. The drivers were in the cars lined up in practice time order at 45 degrees on one side of the track, & at flag fall, the co-drivers had to across the track & hand us the keys.
Late in the race, well after dark, Glen Scott, was driving the leading car, the Frank Matich SR3. A rod broke, & went out through the sump, right under Dunlop Bridge, in the right hander, where many were doing over 125 MPH. Scotty just declutched, & let the thing roll around the corner, unfortunately right on line. It dropped about 4 gallons.
I was next car on the road, about 300 yards behind him. I did not even see him, & like the flag marshals, I could not see the oil. The car jumped sideways s few yards, when it found the oil, right off it actually. I had a bit of a fight at about 125 MPH, but got her back. As I came back on line, [& on the oil again], I hit the throttle.
Some bloke in the pits reckoned he counted the headlights flash that way 10 times as she spun down the oil track, staying right on line with the brakes locked.
About this time I remembered a Volvo that rolled early in the race, sitting not all that far off the track on the outside near the corner exit. No safety cars, & tow trucks removing crashes back then, they stayed where they stopped for the rest of the race, & you remembered where they were.
I had declutched so the engine was still running, & not wanting to drift out to the Volvo, I hit the throttle, & dropped the clutch, as the nose swung past the infield.
The car speared into the infield, but stalled as it did. That was when I remembered a drainage ditch in there somewhere. Fortunately I didn't find it. I was sitting stopped, dead engine nose pointing into the infield about 50Ft off the track. Something went past me not too far behind, spinning wildly & still traveling quite quickly. Then the LM 250 went past my nose backwards, traveling quite quickly. I got a glimpse of Leo Geoghegan in my headlights, looking over his shoulder, & wondered if he was actually steering backwards. Yes we have some strange & quite inappropriate thoughts at times.
Now I decided I had better get out of there, before someone did not miss me. But I had a problem. I could not find the starter button. I could find the ignition key, but not that bloody button.
I started flicking some of the vast array of switches on the dash, trying to find a light, but couldn't find one of those either. After what seemed like hours, but was probably only seconds, I finally remembered I was not in some home built hotrod, but a luxury Ferrari. Opening the door turned on about 4 courtesy lights & an overhead light. The thing fired up instantly, like a good little Ferrari once I found the start button.
But now there was another problem. I had a huge red light glaring at me from the middle of the dash. Could I have damaged something in my wild slide? Checked everything, all the gauges read right, so I trundled slowly back to the pits.
The LM was there before me, with the boys pulling grass out from under her, with Ian replacing Leo in the seat. I shouted as you do when wearing a helmet, at someone about my red light. The owner came over, look in, reached across me & turned off the reversing lights.
They took their time checking the car, David [McKay] advised me there was nnnnno nnnnneed ttto hhhhurry llllad, we were about 12 laps in front of the class, & sent me on my way. I have never liked reversing lights since that might.
I had only started the GT B once, at the start of the race. They had a "sort off" LeMans start. The drivers were in the cars lined up in practice time order at 45 degrees on one side of the track, & at flag fall, the co-drivers had to across the track & hand us the keys.
Late in the race, well after dark, Glen Scott, was driving the leading car, the Frank Matich SR3. A rod broke, & went out through the sump, right under Dunlop Bridge, in the right hander, where many were doing over 125 MPH. Scotty just declutched, & let the thing roll around the corner, unfortunately right on line. It dropped about 4 gallons.
I was next car on the road, about 300 yards behind him. I did not even see him, & like the flag marshals, I could not see the oil. The car jumped sideways s few yards, when it found the oil, right off it actually. I had a bit of a fight at about 125 MPH, but got her back. As I came back on line, [& on the oil again], I hit the throttle.
Some bloke in the pits reckoned he counted the headlights flash that way 10 times as she spun down the oil track, staying right on line with the brakes locked.
About this time I remembered a Volvo that rolled early in the race, sitting not all that far off the track on the outside near the corner exit. No safety cars, & tow trucks removing crashes back then, they stayed where they stopped for the rest of the race, & you remembered where they were.
I had declutched so the engine was still running, & not wanting to drift out to the Volvo, I hit the throttle, & dropped the clutch, as the nose swung past the infield.
The car speared into the infield, but stalled as it did. That was when I remembered a drainage ditch in there somewhere. Fortunately I didn't find it. I was sitting stopped, dead engine nose pointing into the infield about 50Ft off the track. Something went past me not too far behind, spinning wildly & still traveling quite quickly. Then the LM 250 went past my nose backwards, traveling quite quickly. I got a glimpse of Leo Geoghegan in my headlights, looking over his shoulder, & wondered if he was actually steering backwards. Yes we have some strange & quite inappropriate thoughts at times.
Now I decided I had better get out of there, before someone did not miss me. But I had a problem. I could not find the starter button. I could find the ignition key, but not that bloody button.
I started flicking some of the vast array of switches on the dash, trying to find a light, but couldn't find one of those either. After what seemed like hours, but was probably only seconds, I finally remembered I was not in some home built hotrod, but a luxury Ferrari. Opening the door turned on about 4 courtesy lights & an overhead light. The thing fired up instantly, like a good little Ferrari once I found the start button.
But now there was another problem. I had a huge red light glaring at me from the middle of the dash. Could I have damaged something in my wild slide? Checked everything, all the gauges read right, so I trundled slowly back to the pits.
The LM was there before me, with the boys pulling grass out from under her, with Ian replacing Leo in the seat. I shouted as you do when wearing a helmet, at someone about my red light. The owner came over, look in, reached across me & turned off the reversing lights.
They took their time checking the car, David [McKay] advised me there was nnnnno nnnnneed ttto hhhhurry llllad, we were about 12 laps in front of the class, & sent me on my way. I have never liked reversing lights since that might.
Gassing Station | Australia | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff