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1981 Ferrari 512 BBLM

Ferrari's perch atop the supercar landscape quickly unraveled as rival Maserati and upstart Lamborghini factories introduced sophisticated rear-engine performance cars, making the Maranello's traditional front-engined cars look dated. Ferrari reacted by introducing its own rear-engine exotic, the 365 Boxer Berlinetta with a 4.4-liter flat-12 cylinder engine mounted behind the cabin. In comparison to the front-engine 365 GTB/4 Daytona series, these new mid-engine cars were lighter, more nimble and more responsive. The rear-engined Berlinetta concept was further developed in 1976 with the debut of the full 5.0-liter flat-12 engined 512 BB. Despite the larger displacement, horsepower output was modestly increased, from 344 bhp at 7,000 RPM to 340 bhp at 6,800 RPM, however, there was a noticeable improvement in mid-range torque. By mid-1981 the 512 BB had been fitted with Bosch engineered K-Jetronic fuel injection, and renamed the 512 BBi.

1981 Ferrari 512 BBLM photo
Berlinetta
Chassis #: 35527
Engine #: F102B000 0.23
View info and history
Auction entries : 1
Inevitably, racing versions of the Boxer Berlinetta were built, competing at events such as the Daytona and Le Mans 24 Hours and the Sebring 12 Hours. Four examples of the 512 BB raced at Le Mans in 1978, and another raced in the Watkins Glen 6-Hours. At Le Mans, none of the 512 BB/LMs finished the race, leaving the only Ferrari to cross the line being NART's 365.

These four examples are known as the 'Series 1' BB/LM and had reduced weight, increased power, and exaggerated aerodynamics. One was raced by NART/Chinetti, one for Ecurie Francorchamps/Swaters, and two for the eponymous Ecurie Charles Pozzi.

The genesis of the 512 BB/LM race program is partly attributed to Luigi Chinetti, whose association with the Ferrari marque dates back many years. In 1949, he earned the company's first outright win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. That same year, he received Enzo's blessing to operate as Ferrari's sole distributor within the United States. In 1958, Chinetti founded the North American Racing Team (NART), which competed exclusively in the world's marquee endurance events. Between 1975 and 1977, NART ran a heavily modified 365 GT4/BB in competition. With the introduction of the 512 BB, Chinetti lobbied Maranello to create a works-prepared version, as the 'Series 1' BB/LM had shown potential, but earned little tangible success.

1981 Ferrari 512 BBLM photo
Berlinetta
Chassis #: 35527
Engine #: F102B000 0.23
View info and history
Auction entries : 1
The development of the second series began in late 1978. The carburetors were replaced with an electronic fuel injection system which helped boost output to around 470 horsepower. This system was later adapted to the production 512 BBi. A new body design was developed by Pininfarina that replaced the pop-up headlights with fixed units integrated into the fascia, and the tail section was lengthened to the maximum allowed by regulations. The body was 16-inches longer than the original and discarded most of the original styling cues. The bodywork was developed in Pininfarina's wind tunnel at Grugliasco and incorporated a rear wing derived from that used on the Formula 1 312T-series cars. The considerable amount of aerodynamic efficiency not only increased the cars' maximum speed but also improved its grip and traction. The 512 BB/LM cars rested on 10-inch wide front wheels and 1-inch wide rear wheels.

Most engine parts were from stock, but the power units were carefully 'blue-printed' and assembled. Lightweight components were incorporated into the engine, both valves and ports were enlarged, a higher-lift camshaft was adopted, and the fuel injection system was uprated. Along with changes to the exhaust system, output increased to approximately 470 to 480 bhp.

Ferrari built nine of these revised '2nd Series' BB LMs in 1979 and an additional sixteen between 1980 to 1982, known as 'third series' cars.

1981 Ferrari 512 BBLM photo
Berlinetta
Chassis #: 35527
Engine #: F102B000 0.23
View info and history
Auction entries : 1
The Ferrari 512 BB/LM was eventually tuned to produce upwards of 500 horsepower, but it was far short of the over 700 horsepower produced by the Porsche 935s. While the engine output had increased, little development work had been done to the gearbox to cope with the increase, resulting in reliability issues during much of the racing career. Another issue was the placement of the 12-cylinder engine on top of the gearbox, and although it allowed a smaller wheelbase size, it caused issues with handling.
Several of these shortcomings were eventually resolved, including the installation of a stronger gearbox, increasing power, and reducing weight. Victories, however, remained elusive. Among the accolades during its racing career was a class victory at the 1981 Le Mans.

Rules changes in 1984 made the 512 BB LM obsolete, bringing an end to Ferrari's GT racing program. It would take Maranello nearly two decades before it fielded another GT racer.


by Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2021

Related Reading : Ferrari 512 BB/LM History

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....
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1981 Ferrari 512 BBLM Vehicle Profiles

1981 Ferrari 512 BBLM vehicle information
Berlinetta

Designer: Pininfarina
Chassis #: 35527
Engine #: F102B000 0.23

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