1979 Ferrari 512 BBLM

With the Ferrari 312 B winning five Grand Prix races during the 1970, Ferrari shifted its focus from endurance sports racing to the Formula 1 World Championship. Despite its promising outlook, success remained elusive although the flat 12 engine would continue to evolve into a potent competitor, earning the Pracing Horse marque three World Drivers Championships during the second half of the decade.

Privateers continued to race 365 GTB/4 Daytonas at the 24 Hours LeMans, earning GT class victories in 1972, 1973 and 1974. The 1976 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans would be the first year since Ferrari's founding in 1947 in which there were no Ferrari entrants.

The production 365 GT4 BB was introduced in 1973 as a replacement for the 365 GTB/4, and with slippery styling by Leonardo Fioravanti at Pininfarina, and powered by a mid-mounted flat-twelve engine, many hoped Ferrari would create a competition version. It was the first mid-engined road-car to wear the Ferrari nameplate, and when development progressed into the 5-liter Berlinetta Boxer in 1976, hopes were high for a competition variant. Enzo Ferrari approved four examples to be constructed and three examples (known as 512 BB/LM) would compete at the 1978 24 Hours of LeMans.

Racing regulations were changed for 1977 which now permitted IMSA cars to compete, opening the door for the NART (North American Racing Team) modified 365 GT4 BB eligible to race. Three other privately entered 365 GT4 BBs were modified, with NART's fifth in class finish being the best result.

Ferrari 512 BB

The Ferrari 512 BB was shown to the public at the 1976 Paris Motor Show and production would continue through 1981 with a total of 929 examples eventually built. The Tipo F102B engine had an 82mm bore and a 78 mm stroke resulting in a 4,943cc displacement. With 9.2:1 compression and dry sump lubrication, output was in the neighborhood of 360 horsepower. The increase in torque was handled by a dual-plate clutch. The chassis remained unaltered but the rear wheels grew from 7.5- to 9-inches and XWX tire width (and rear track) increased accordingly.

Styling updates were minimal, most noticeably by a new front chin spoiler incorporated in the bumper. Behind the driver and passenger doors were NACA ducts that provided cooling for the rear brakes and exhaust system. While the 365 GT4 BB had triple exhaust pipes, the 512 BB had exhaust pipes on either side of the rear. There were new twin tail lights and the panel between the lights was now slats, replacing the previous black mesh.

Ferrari 512 BB LM (a.k.a. 512 BB/LM or 512 BBLM)

The Ferrari 512 BBLM was built in two series, the first being built in 1978. They had a roof-mounted aerofoil, wider wheel arches, and a rear wing sourced from the front wing of a Ferrari 312T2. Two examples wore a 'long nose' design with the front extending several inches. The standard full-width grille was replaced by a small oval air inlet. The engine was tuned to produce as much as 440 horsepower and weight was reduced to around 1,200 kg (2,645 lb).

The 512's transaxle was unable to cope with the uprated engine, resulting in all four cars retiring prematurely. Although not initially successful, they did succeed at peaking clientele interest and justifying future development. The second series was built near the close of 1978 through 1982 and with the assistance of Lucas fuel injection, developed around 480 horsepower. Many of the engine components were from stock, but the powerplants were 'blue-printed' and carefully assembled. The internals was lightweight and carefully balanced, and valves and ports were enlarged, and higher-lift camshafts were employed. The lessons learned at LeMans resulted in a strengthened transaxle, upgraded suspension and brakes, plus additional oil-cooling radiators. Significant weight reduction resulted in an overall weight of 2,370 pounds. Pininfarina created the exterior design that was perfected through the use of a wind tunnel, with bodywork known as the 'Silhouette.'

After the 1979 season, Ferrari further updated the 'Series 2' with a larger air inlet duct in the front of the rear wheels, vertical side skirts, and a lighter chassis clothed with fiberglass bodywork. These improvements improved aerodynamics and reduced weight by approximately 100 kg (220 lbs).

Ferrari built nine examples of the 'Series 2' BB LM in 1979, plus an additional sixteen 'updated' Series 2 BB LMs between 1980 and 1982.

Competition

The Ferrari 512 BB LM was raced only by independent teams with varying levels of support from the factory. It competed in the World Endurance Championship and IMSA competition by N.A.R.T., Ecurie Francorchamps, Bellancauto, Pozzi, and others. The car's success was limited by its lack of a factory racing effort and reliability issues.

Competition highlights for the 512 BB LM was a class victory (GTX class) in the 1981 Le Mans, with a Pozzi entry besting the Porsche 935s. At the 1982 edition of Le Mans, the 512 BB LM placed 6th overall. A 10th place finish was earned at the 1980 24 Hours of LeMans.

New racing regulations made the 512 BB LM obsolete for the 1984 season.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2023