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1980 Ferrari 512 BB

The Ferrari 512 Berlinetta Boxer, or 512 BB, was introduced at the October 1976 Paris Auto Show, although actual production had begun several months earlier. It was the successor to the 365 GT4 BB and had a similar mechanical layout and exterior appearance but with four taillights instead of six and the addition of a new front chin spoiler and NACA intakes on the flanks.

The 180-degree flat 12-cylinder engine used in the 365BB/512BB was the first for a Ferrari production car, and the four camshafts on these engines were belt-driven, another 'first' for Ferrari.

The first BB (Berlinetta Boxer) was the 365 GT4 BB and was the first mid-engined road-car to wear the Ferrari name and the Cavallino Rampante (prancing horse) logo. The first mid-engine Ferrari road-car was the Dino 206 GT and 246 GT/GTS introduced in 1967. These six-cylinder models were built alongside Ferrari's flagship V-12 models through the early 1970s.

The first Ferrari to use the flat-12 cylinder engine was the 512 F1 race car of 1964. Its 1.5-liter engine was designed by Mauro Forghier and it would go through incremental upgrades in several Formula One and sports prototype racing cars, as well as being the basis for the road-going flat 12 engine in the 365 GT4 BB.

The Ferrari 365 GT4 BB
Mechanical Design and Specification
Although the 365 GT4 BB shared the same numerical designation with the 365 GTB/4 Daytona, its layout and engine were very different (same dimensions). The mid-mounted flat-12 Tipo F102A engine was positioned longitudinally and was derived from both the Mauro Forghieri-designed Tipo 001 3.0-liter flat-12 engine used in the 1969 Ferrari 312B Formula One car and the roadgoing 365 GTB/4 engine. The heads of the 12-cylinder were positioned at a vee angle of 180 degrees, and it had a bore size of 81 mm, a stroke of 71 mm, with a total displacement of 4390.35cc. The engine block was constructed of Silumin alloy, the cylinder liners of cast iron, the crankshaft of forged steel, and the pistons were light alloy. There were dual overhead camshafts, and two valves per cylinder, and the four camshafts were driven by two timing belts. Four three-barrel Weber 40 IF 3C carburetors supplied the air and fuel. Lubrication was via a wet sump, and the ignition system used a single Magneti Marelli distributor and two coils.

1980 Ferrari 512 BB photo
Coupe
Chassis #: 31359
Engine #: 00563
View info and history
Auction entries : 1
The engine was paired with a five-speed manual transaxle and limited-slip differential that resided directly underneath the engine, alongside the oil sump. The Fichtel & Sachs single-plate dry clutch was located at the rear of the engine. A set of drop gears and a horizontal shaft sent power to the transmission.

The compact arrangement of the engine and transmission allowed for a short 98.4-inch wheelbase and an overall length of 173.2 inches. It had a width of 72 inches and stood 44.1 inches tall.

The chassis was formed from steel tubing with the central bodywork forming a semi-monocoque with the steel chassis. Light subframes supported the unstressed front and rear bodywork.

The suspension was independent with double wishbones, coil springs, and shock absorbers. Four-wheel disc brakes were placed front and rear, and the steering was by a non-powered rack and pinion setup. Michelin XWX tires of size 215 70 VR 15 were placed all around, with later models having staggered configurations with wider rear tires.

Styling
The aerodynamically shaped penned at Pininfarina was overseen by Leonardo Fioravanti and influenced by the Ferrari P6 Berlinetta Speciale concept car created by Pininfarina in 1968. Perfected through wind tunnel testing at Pininfarina's facility, the wedge-shaped form was attractive, functional, and thoroughly modern. Its shape would continue through the final model of the series, the BB 512i, with only minor changes.

Production
The Ferrari 365 GT4 BB was produced from 1973 to 1976, with a total of 387 examples built. The bodywork construction was handled by Scaglietti, and the final assembly was done at Ferrari's factory in Maranello. A mere 88 examples had right-hand drive configuration with 58 of these originally destined for the U.K. market.

Performance
With 339 horsepower at 7,200 RPM and 302 lb-ft of torque at 3,900 RPM, the 365 GT4 BB was capable of sprinting from zero to sixty mph in 6.1 seconds and had a top speed in the neighborhood of 175 mph.

The Ferrari BB 512
The Ferrari BB 512 (512 BB) was introduced in 1976, and its model name represented the car's 5.0-liter, 12-cylinder engine. It made its debut at the Paris Motor Show in 1976, and 929 examples would be built by the time it was replaced in 1981 with the BB 512i (512 BBi).

The engine's displacement increase was a result of an 82mm bore and 78mm stroke, resulting in 4,943cc size. With 9.2:1 compression, the company's sales literature stated an output of 360 bhp, but later brochures stated 340 bhp. Although its claimed power was lower than the 365 GT4 BB, its peak power was reached at 6,200 RPM, lower than its predecessor peak of 7,000 RPM. The slight increase in torque to 331 ft-lbs at 4,300 RPM was handled by a dual plate clutch. Lubrication was via a dry sump setup. The front tires continued to measure 7.5 inches wide, but the rear wheels grew to 9 inches (the rear track increased to 1563mm and the rear bodywork was widened).

Styling modifications were minimal, with the addition of a new chin spoiler upfront, eliminating the nose lift at high speed. Cooling to the rear brakes and exhaust system improved with the new NACA ducts added behind the door on each side. The triple tail lights were now twin lights, and the panel between the taillights was now slats, instead of black mesh.

Between 1976 and 1981, Ferrari produced 929 examples of the BB 512.

The Ferrari BB 512i
The Ferrari BB 512i (512 BBi) came with a Bosch K-Jetronic CIS fuel injection system to improve emissions. Introduced in 1981 and produced through 1984, it was the last of the series. A total of 1,007 examples were built. Producing 340 horsepower at 6,000 RPM, it was the least powerful model in the series.

1980 Ferrari 512 BB photo
Coupe
Chassis #: 31359
Engine #: 00563
View info and history
Auction entries : 1
Along with fuel injection, the camshaft timing was changed, and the Magneti Marelli 'Dinoplex' electronic ignition system now had a built-in rev limiter.

The Michelin XWX tires used on earlier BB models were replaced by Michelin TRX metric-sized tires and wheels. The front wheels measured 180 TR 415, and the rears measured 210 TR 415.

Styling revisions were minimal; the front grille exposed the driving lamps, updated badging, small white running lights in the front fascia, and changes to the rear valence incorporating red fog lamps outboard of the exhaust pipes.

The list of standard equipment included power windows, a stereo, and air conditioning. Among the list of optional equipment included an interior trimmed with Ermenegildo Zegna wool cloth in the seats, headliner, and door panels.


by Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2024

Related Reading : Ferrari 512 BB History

The Ferrari Berlinetta Boxer was produced between 1973 through 1984 with a total of 2,323 examples of all BB models produced. This was a very important model for the Ferrari marque, and one that followed in the footsteps of the mid-engined road car, the 206 GT Dino. The mid-engine placement had been proven to be a useful technique in improving handling and performance Cooper was one of the first....
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Related Reading : Ferrari 512 History

Raced in 1970 and 1971, the Ferrari 512 was a sports vehicle, related to the Ferrari P series of sports prototypes that was eventually withdrawn from competition after a change in regulations in 1968. A year later Ferrari decided to do what Porsche did six months earlier and build 25 5.0 L cars at one time to be homologated as sports car prototypes. The surplus vehicles were intended to be sold to....
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1980 Ferrari 512 BB Vehicle Profiles

1980 Ferrari 512 BB vehicle information
Coupe

Chassis #: 31359
Engine #: 00563
Gearbox #: 621

Recent Vehicle Additions

Performance and Specification Comparison

512 BB

Specification Comparison by Year

Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
98.40 in.
12 cyl., 301.58 CID., 355.00hp
$85,000 - $85,000
98.40 in.
12 cyl., 301.58 CID., 355.00hp
$85,000 - $85,000
98.40 in.
12 cyl., 301.58 CID., 355.00hp
$85,000 - $85,000
98.40 in.
12 cyl., 301.58 CID., 360.00hp

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