1980 Ferrari 512 BB/LM news, pictures, and information

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Coupe
Designer: Pininfarina
Chassis Num: 32131

Ferrari 512 BBLM with chassis number 32131 was never raced. In June of 1980 the car was purchased by a United States resident named P. Paul Pappalardo. He kept the car for a period of time before selling it to Ed Wettach, also of the US. Ron Spangler became the cars next owner who later sold the car to Johnson.

In 1988 the car was sold to Ed Wettach, his second time to own the car. Wettach entered the car in various concourses and events. In 1988 the car was shown at the Ferrari Club of America Concours in Elkhart Lake where it was awarded a second place in class. In 1989 it was shown at the Ferrari Club of America Concours in Lanier Island where it finished First in Class. In 1990 it was shown at the Ferrari Club of America Concours in Watkins Glen where it finished First in Class.

In 1990 the car was sold to Bob Rapp of the United States. Chassis number 32131 is now in the ownership of Kurt Schulz of Union Dale, PA. It has continued to be shown at events and be entered in historic competition. It is seen here at the Cavallino Classic in West Palm Beach.

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Coupe
Designer: Pininfarina
Chassis Num: 38181

Ferrari 512 BBLM with chassis number 38181 has engine number 024 031. It has never been raced except in historic competition. In November of 1981 the car was sold to P Paul Pappalardo. By 1982 it was in the ownership of Gary Schaevitz. The next owner was Ed and Eleanor Wettach of Jackson, Ms. The car had been sold for $475,000.

Under the Wettach's care, the car was entered in the FCA Concours in 1986 where it achieved a First in Class. In 1987 it was shown at the FCA Concours Wolf Trap Farm where it finished First. At the 1993 Cavallino Classic it finished First in Class. Also in 1993 it was shown at the FCA National Concours Palm Beach Gardens where it finished First in Class.

In 1994 it was apart of the International Ferrari Concours in Monterey, CA where it was awarded a First in Class.

Ray Hartman of Montecito, CA became the cars next owner in October of 2000. Todd Morici purchased the car in 2003 and has engine number 031 installed in the car. It is seen here at the Cavallino Classic in West Palm Beach.

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Chassis Num: F102BB*34445

Ferrari 512 BBLM with chassis number 34445 was sold to Ron Spangler of 'Prancing Horse Farm' for the 1981 '24-Hours of Daytona.' It was the only BBLM to ever lead at Daytona. Under Spangler's care the car was entered into competition. In 1981 the car was entered into the 24 Hours of Daytona where it was driven by Adamowicz and Knoop. The car wore number 65. The car failed to finish the race. The following year the car was entered into the same event, the 24 Hours of Daytona where it was driven by Knoop, Pumpelly, and Baird. It failed to finish. A few months later the car was entered into the 12 Hours of Sebring where it was driven by Pumpelly, Baird, and Mead. It failed to finish.

In 1983 the car made a third appearance at the 24 Hours of Daytona where it was driven by Baird, Pumpelly, and Mead. Again, it failed to finish.

The car was sold to Bruce Vineyard. Vineyard brought the car to the 1984 Ferrari Club of America Annual Meeting in Atlanta. In 1990 the car was shown at the FCA National Concours at Watkins Glen where it was awarded a Third in Class.

The car is now in the care of John Goodman of Seattle, Washington. It is seen here at the Cavallino Classic.

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Coupe
Designer: Pininfarina
Chassis Num: 29509

Ferrari 512 BBLM with chassis number 29509 was constructed on May 2nd of 1980. Its first owner was Bob Donner of Denver, Colorado. It was entered into the 1980 Virginia City Hillclimb where it wore number 77 and driven by Bob Donner. The car and driver proved the cars potential by setting a new hill record.

It was sold to Bill Kontes of the USA sometime during the 1980s. In 1989 it was offered by Barchetta Motorcars Inc of NY for sale. It took a few months but it was sold within the year. From that time, it went through various owners.

In 1999 the car was purchased by Charles Wegner of Chicago, IL. In 2000 he entered the car in the US Shell Ferrari Challenge where the car finished in 3rd overall. In 2001 it was sold to its present owner, a Ferrari enthusiast and American collector.

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Coupe
Designer: Pininfarina
Chassis Num: 29511

This 1980 Ferrari 512BBLM is a left hand drive example that was completed in May of 1980. It wears chassis number 295111 and was sold to John Gelles of Chappaqua, NY. Gelles used it in competition at Lime Rock, Watkins Glen, 24 Hours of Daytona, and 12 Hours of Sebring between 1984 and 1985. It was then sold to Anthony Wang of Long Island, NY who later sold it to its present owner in 2000.

The Ferrari 512 BB LM was produced from 1979 through 1982 with only 25 examples produced. The Pininfarina design bodies featured a longitudinally, mid-mounted 12-cylinder engine driving the rear wheels. The 512 BB LM was a continuation of the 512 BB, but built specifically for the grueling 24 Hours of Le Mans. The 512 BB had been shown a few years prior at the 1976 Paris Motorshow and served as a replacement for the 365 GT4 BB.

The chassis of the 512 BB was modified by Ferrari and a weight reduction of around 200 lbs was achieved. Unfortunately, the newly designed body weighed about 200 pounds extra than the 512 BB so there was no overall weight reduction. The engine was modified to include a Lucas Fuel Injection system which boosted power to around 460 horsepower. Further modifications improved output to 500 horsepower. The gearbox was not modified to handle the extra horsepower and ultimately would be the demise of its chances at many racing events.

The Ferrari 512 BB LM suffered from poor handling. In an effort to reduce the wheelbase and to fit all the components, the engine was mounted above the gearbox. This meant a lot of weight sat high in the vehicle and greatly affected the handling.

At its inaugural Le Mans appearance, the 512 BB LM finished in a disappointing 12th. The above mentioned issues coupled with strong competition from other competitors such as Porsche with their 700 horsepower 935's, the 512 BB LM was outclassed. Modifications and improvements were made the 512 BB LM's over the following years and in 1981 a 512 BB LM scored a class victory at LeMans, the highlight of their career.

The BB LM's were retired in 1984 when they failed to meet new regulations.

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