by Steven Perez
posted on June 20, 2025
A classic take-it-easy Ferrari
Ferrari was roaring in the eighties and nineties. The 288 GTO and Testarossa pushed boundaries and became cultural icons, then came the legendary Ferrari F40. During its production from 1987 to 1992, it was the fastest, most powerful, and most expensive Ferrari ever. The F40 broke records, went racing, helped define the supercar genre, and is now regarded as one of the greatest cars ever made.
Production of the Mondial T overlapped almost exactly with the F40, but this little convertible has a far more subdued reputation compared to that flagship’s near-sacred mythology. This Ferrari served as the brand’s entry-level model — a comfortable grand tourer with a back row of seats and an understated design. The Mondial was the Ferrari you could use every day around town, but still get your thrills in during weekend drives.
Shawn’s 1992 Ferrari Mondial T Cabriolet comes from just about the end of the Mondial line, which makes it the most refined and polished edition. The Mondial became the Mondial T in 1989 when the powertrain layout was revised with a longitudinally mounted engine with a transverse gearbox, which is to say it has better handling than older versions. Add in power steering, three suspension modes, and anti-lock brakes, and you have a practical, approachable Ferrari.
While the Mondial T’s vibe mostly avoided the drama of its Ferrari stablemates, it was a respectable performer. The 3.4L V8 makes 300 horsepower and propels the car to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds. That’s none too impressive by today’s standards, but consider how that feels behind the wheel of a convertible Ferrari, five-speed manual gated shifter in hand, exhaust howling behind your ears. That’s where the magic is.
There’s also a bit of magic inside. Supple tan leather covers most surfaces in the 2+2 cabin, and the driving position is (allegedly) ergonomically sound — a rarity for Italian cars of this era. The Mondial T has soft, normal, and firm suspension options for tailoring your comfort. Then of course, the top can come down for leisurely cruises in your Ferrari with the wind in your hair. Sounds nice.
Shawn’s car is one of only about 400 Mondial T Cabriolets sold in the US, so it’s a rare steed. But by Ferrari standards, this convertible wasn’t bred for glory, it was meant for actually driving, no matter the occasion. If you find yourself in the Bay Area, this might be the most elegant drop top you find for a weekend jaunt to Napa Valley, the Monterey Peninsula, or wherever the road takes you.
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Steven Perez
Steven is an avid car guy and content maker at Turo. Between Golden State Warriors games he can be found getting lost somewhere in California.
