The Ferrari Mondial was produced from 1980 to 1993 and superseded the 308. The 2+2 was introduced as a car suitable for daily driving, built on a steel frame, and adorned with a Pininfarina designed and Scaglietti produced body. Nearly 7,000 of these cars were produced in a number of variations.  The Mondial 3.2 is the last variation to share the transverse engine and transmission of the 308 before it. After the Mondial 3.2, Ferrari changed the “Mondial t” engine mounting to longitudinal though the transmission remained transverse.

The car is positioned here on the slab in front of the shop for a quick wash on a warm spring day. Snow banks remain in the background. The deep maroon body of the Mondial hints slightly at purple – and though unique, the color is factory original Rosso Prugna. Inside the car is an incredibly clean interior, with full books, tools, and records. The sunroof and air conditioning work as well. This 1986 Mondial is a very drivable Ferrari, with 43,000 miles on the clock, with the stunning looks of a car with only ten or thirteen thousand.

Sometimes the shop can be a pretty nostalgic place, a pack of 60’s cars downstairs, tractors outside, and a Deusy upstairs – upon arrival, a visitor could feel like the result of a successful time-machine test.

This picture is more timeless than most and embodies the outside of the shop on a cold winter day. The wreaths have been put away now and the icicles have been replaced with rains’ drizzle. The tractor is, of course, an Oliver. A 1954 Super 55 diesel receiving a full overhaul, from the mains on up. At the time, the Super 55 was Oliver’s first compact tractor with enough muscle to do a good bit of work.

Perhaps with a little bit of embarrassment, we revisit this post. Read below for the original post from Feb. 25th and further down for the update.

A woman recently contacted us with a Ferrari tool that she couldn’t identify. I asked around and we had some ideas, but had never seen one of these before. So, we open it up to our readers – a few thousand minds are better than our Safety-Kleen soaked brains.

Note the tool has the Ferrari name embossed on it and a gauge to provide measurement, most likely of angle or distance. Is this some sort a measuring device to check for wear or stretch in an assembly?

THE UPDATE:
There’s good reason that we couldn’t identify this tool. The woman who sent us the picture didn’t mention that it was spring loaded and not very long. And despite years and years of experience, touching virtually every single model of pre-1990 Ferrari road car, we haven’t ever seen this part.

Another reader, Pete Gagnon, came through… this part is actually a lever, held under spring tension, used not to open a boot lid or a bonnet, but cabinetry. How anti-climatic is that? A part stamped Ferrari is sold as IKEA cabinet hinge hardware – however, if needed we these could install a set on your car regardless of make.

Internally sprung Ferrari hinge hardware with a lock-open catch - from IKEA.

Internally sprung Ferrari hinge hardware with a lock-open catch - from IKEA.

We posted a shot of the 1947 Chevrolet Pick Up that we service a few weeks back, and our friend Bill Lockwood came by and took a couple pictures of it while it was in the shop. This 1947 was the first year of the Chevrolet Advance Design – the first post-war improvements benefiting consumers. This truck has a great looking paint job, a three speed on the floor, and excellent trim throughout.

Bill took a few pictures from around the shop today that show both the range and the beauty of some of the cars that we are working on. Sometimes I fear that there is too much “range” and not enough beauty! Bill takes outstanding photos that look super pro. Have I written a post on Bill yet? Bill, can you write a post on yourself, introduce yourself?

Upstairs: the Osca, Whitehead Special, and a silver Ferrari

Downstairs: The rare green 330 GTC and a deep inventory of stored classics, projects, and restorations.

Ferrari 750 Monza at Restoration and Performance Motorcars in Vermont

Here is a lovely child’s toy Bugatti that we have had kicking around the shop. It took some time to locate the odd sized tires and we need to tune up the potentiometer (gas pedal) but when the weather warms up the kids will be able to do some hot laps in this spectacular go kart. Since I am a sucker for details,  this little car freaks me out – with beautiful cast wheels,  a hollow forged front axle, and Ducellier electrical components – it isn’t really the toy that it appears.

These original Bugatti toys are very valuable, so this car would best be sold to a collector and replaced with a replica – so I can feel more comfortable letting the kids drive it around.

Baby Bugatti

Eben built the 212 body from pictures, as you may know. His metal work and sculpture are fantastic – that’s why we insist on taking him away from his art – to work on ours. Here’s his website showing other projects he has been working on besides the damn Ferrari.

http://www.ebenmarkowski.com

We dynoed this blue 512BB last summer, and I cannot remember the exact figures. But, I do remember the incredible torque curve and how it made the maximum HP and torque at 5000RPM then plateaued out. I think it made just under 300HP at the rear wheels. We are going to be overhauling and enhancing this engine soon and it will be cool to put it back on the dyno to see the new numbers.

Here’s a link to a similar 512BB on the dyno this winter – this time in red. http://www.ferraricraft.com/2010/01/video-1984-ferrari-512-bbi-at-the-dyno/