Ferrari Mondial Cabriolet

Vehicle Overview

The Ferrari Mondial Cabriolet was a four-seat, mid-rear-engine convertible produced by Ferrari between 1983 and 1993. It represented a rare configuration within the marque’s history, combining open-top motoring with a 2+2 seating layout and a transversely or longitudinally mounted V8 engine. The vehicle was introduced as part of the Mondial range, which had debuted in 1980 as a successor to the Ferrari 308 GT4, and was designed to offer greater practicality while retaining the brand’s established performance characteristics. Styled by Pininfarina and assembled by Carrozzeria Scaglietti, the Mondial Cabriolet preserved the coupe’s proportions while incorporating structural modifications to accommodate a manually operated folding soft top. The bodywork retained the model’s characteristic high beltline, integrated bumpers, and angular side air intakes, with later versions incorporating smoother transitions and color-matched trim. The initial variant, the Mondial Quattrovalvole Cabriolet, was introduced in 1983 and equipped with a 2.9-liter V8 engine featuring four valves per cylinder. It produced approximately 240 horsepower and was mated to a five-speed manual transmission. The engine was mounted transversely behind the rear seats. Between 1983 and 1985, a total of 629 units of the QV Cabriolet were manufactured. In 1985, the Mondial 3.2 Cabriolet replaced the QV model. It featured a 3.2-liter V8 producing approximately 270 horsepower. Mechanical refinements and interior updates were introduced, and the exterior benefitted from revised bumpers and trim. Production of this variant reached 810 units. The final version, the Mondial t Cabriolet, was introduced in 1989. It featured a longitudinally mounted 3.4-liter V8 engine paired with a transverse gearbox, a configuration that improved handling balance. The engine produced approximately 300 horsepower. Technical enhancements included electronically adjustable suspension, power-assisted steering, and the inclusion of ABS as standard. Production continued until 1993, with 1,017 units completed. The Mondial Cabriolet remains the only open Ferrari of the era to offer seating for four with a mid-engine layout. While not as aggressively styled or focused as Ferrari’s two-seat offerings, it has achieved a measure of distinction for its practicality and unconventional format within the marque’s broader historical narrative.