The Mondial t was the most technically sophisticated road car that Ferrari built in the late-1980s, short of the inaccessible-to-mortals 288 GTO. For those willing to look past those rear seats, it offered an unbeatable combination of advanced engineering and European luxury…at very high speed.

The Mondial t packed a mid-mounted 300-horsepower V-8 with Bosch computerized engine management, including electronic fuel injection and ignition control. This engine was placed longitudinally, while the five-speed rear axle remained transverse, forming a “T,” and allowed for a lowered body and chassis that greatly improved road manners. This layout has been employed by almost every V-8-powered Ferrari since. Other notable features included the first power-assisted steering in a Ferrari, electronically-controlled suspension, and antilock brakes. All of this could go from 0–60 mph in 6.5 seconds and hit 165 mph—fast as quicksilver running downhill, especially when you consider what other late-1980s cars could achieve.

More people today should be looking at these as the great cars that they were and are, and for those who now wish they would’ve bought one new, there is Don Davis’ example. With only 5,527 actual, documented miles, it is as close to showroom-fresh as any other Mondial t extant. Naturally, even with so little use, a fine Italian sports car needs care: this cabriolet has had both of its 30,000-mile services, performed by noted specialists Cammisa Motor Car Company on July 12, 2001, at 2,481 miles, and just recently, it has been serviced by Bobileff Motor Cars, where it received its “full major service” at 4,600 miles.

Today, it rides on new Michelin tires and is in absolutely immaculate condition throughout, with virtually no signs of age or use visible, and it comes complete with its original leather folio, containing the owner’s manual and original service information. That it has had such outstanding care has been due to its ownership since new by dedicated, loving enthusiasts, the first of which was none other than Brandon Wang, of Foster City, California, whose collection includes some of the most historically significant racing Ferraris extant.