1979 Ferrari 512 BB

Ferrari reasserted itself at the top of the 'supercar' food chain with the first 'Boxer,' the 365 GT/4 BB. Introduced at the Turin Salon in 1971, they were built in reaction to competition from Lamborghini's mid-engined Miura and subsequent Countach, as well as Maserati's Bora. Like the Ferrari Dino, the 365 GT4 BB received a mid-engine layout but was vastly different in both concept and execution. At the time of its introduction, it was the fastest road car that Ferrari had ever built. Its successor, the 512 BB, raised the bar even further, with displacement growing from 4.4-liters to 5.0-liters and horsepower now rated at 365 bhp and torque at 332 lb/ft. Styling changes were subtle, with a small chin spoiler added to the nose, slightly wider rear arches to accommodate larger rear wheels, four rear taillights replaced the six on the 365, and NACA ducts added in front of the rear wheels.

Ferrari had built fewer than 400 examples of the 365 GT4 BB between 1973 and 1976, less than half of the 929 units of the 512 BB produced from 1976 through 1981. An additional 1,007 examples of the fuel-injected 512 BBi were built between 1981 and 1984.

The bespoke Ferrari marque had a vast range of coupe and cabriolet models during the late 1970s and early 1980s, including the V-8 powered Mondial Quattrovalvole, GTO, and 308 Quattrovalvole. All of these models used the modern mid-engine configuration with the 235 to 400 horsepower being sent to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual in the rear transaxle. The 400i was the company's sole traditional front-engine, rear-wheel-drive model with its V12 engine delivering approximately 315 horsepower from 294.2 cubic inches of displacement. The horizontally-opposed, mid-mounted, dual-overhead-camshaft 12-cylinder engine powering the 512 BBi was formed from a light alloy block with light alloy heads. It had the largest displacement of Ferrari's road-going models at the time, displacing 4,942cc (302 cubic inches). It had seven main bearings, four Weber triple-barrel carburetors, a 9.2:1 compression ratio, and delivered 355 bhp at 6,000 RPM and 333 lbs-ft of torque at 4,200 RPM. A dry-sump lubrication system was installed to relieve oil starvation while driving quickly through corners. It was backed by a five-speed manual gearbox while the 400i could be ordered with either a five-speed manual or three-speed automatic. A dual plate clutch eased the pedal effort and coped with the added torque.

The Mondial and the 400i had the largest wheelbase in the lineup, measuring 104.3- and 106.-inches respectively. The 512 BBi measured 98.4-inches which was larger than the 96.5-inches of the GTO and the 92.1-inch wheelbase platform of the 308 GTB/GTS (Berlinetta and Spider). The 365 GT4 BB and 512 BB (and BBi) used the same chassis, with an overall length of 171.6 inches, a height of 44.1-inches, and width of 70.9-inches. All early 1980s road-going Ferraris were equipped with large disc brakes at all four corners and rested on a tubular steel platform chassis. Unequal-length A-arms with coil springs and anti-roll bars were used in the front of all models, while the 512 BB received a similar setup in the rear, with unequal-length A-arms with twin coil springs and an anti-roll bar.

In 1981, Ferrari added a Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection system to the 512 BB, now called the 512 BBi with the 'i' representing injection. Driveability and performance improved and the engine produced cleaner emissions. Only minor styling updates were applied, with new badging reflecting the addition of the fuel injection system, and metric-sized wheels, and Michelin TRX metric tire system. Rear fog lamps were positioned outboard of the exhaust pipes in the rear valance, and small running lights were added to the front grille section.

The Ferrari Berlinetta Boxer was replaced in 1984 by the Ferrari Testarossa (Type F110) mid-engine 12-cylinder sports ar. Along with the succeeding 512 TR and F512M, production of the Pininfarina-designed car continued through 1996 with nearly 10,000 examples built during that time.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe
Chassis number: 30013
Engine number: 00527

The Ferrari 512 Berlinetta Boxer (BB) used designed themes from the P6 Show Car of 1968. The original Berlinetta Boxer was introduced at the 1971 Turin Motor Show with the 512 introduced in 1976. It featured a powerful five-liter flat twelve with an unusual six-pipe exhaust and low-slung bodywork.

This mid-engine Ferrari supercar was in the previous owner's car for two decades. It is an early 512 BB fitted with Weber carburetors producing 340 horsepower. In the mid-200s it was given a comprehensive overall including a high-quality paint job.

In 2009, this Berlinetta Boxer was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company auction in Scottsdale, Arizona where it was estimated to sell for $125,000 - $150,000 and offered without reserve. The lot was sold for the sum of $99,000 including buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe
Chassis number: F102BB*27167
Engine number: F102B000*00375

This Ferrari 512 Berlinetta Boxer was sold new through Auto Becker in Dusseldorf, Germany and came equipped by the factory with a top-of-the-line Blaupunkt radio and two-tone sport seats with red lateral inserts. The Ferrari was later imported to the United States by Amerispec. As Maranello never offered a US-legal version of the carbureted Berlinetta Boxer, Amerispec became an integral importer and supplier for American enthusiasts seeking to obtain an example.

The car was acquired relatively early in its time in America by a Vermont resident. The car visited Ferrari of Long Island in December 2000, and received a new clutch and timing belt. In August 2001, the odometer displayed 14,852 km. In March of 2011, it showed just 15,297 kilometers.

In mid-2013, the car was purchased by the current owner. Currently, the car has approximately 15,700 kilometers, proper Michelin XWX tires, tools, and original owner's manual. The 4942cc dual overhead cam horizontally opposed 12-cylinder engine is fitted with four Weber 401 F3C Three-Choke downdraft carburetors producing 360 horsepower. There is a five-speed manual gearbox and four-wheel disc brakes.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe
Chassis number: 30335
Engine number: 00498

When Ferrari introduced their mid-engined 365 GT4 BB, it was partly in-response to Lamborghini's Miura and subsequent Countach, and the Maserati Bora. Clearly, the supercar world was being supplied with many suitable alternatives, and Ferrari proved it could keep pace i the new era by introducing the fastest road car the company had ever built. Between 1973 and 1976, less than 400 examples were built. In its wake came a more livable 512 BB, reviving the historical 512 racing car's nomenclature and diverting away from the Ferrari's previous naming convention. The 512 BB had an enlarged, 4.9-liter 12-cylinder engine with a higher compression ratio and four triple-barrel Weber carburetors. This powerplant gave the car a mid-five-second 0-100 km/h sprint time and a top speed of 280 km/h.

In comparison to the car it replaced, the 512 BB had wider rear tires and an extended rear track. It retained Pininfarina-penned styling and was given a new lower chin spoiler up front, as well as a NACA duct on the side to cool its exhaust system. In the back were twin tail lamps, replacing its predecessor's trip unit setup.

Though still produced in limited numbers, production exceeded its 365 GT4 BB sibling, nearly reaching 1,000 units sold. Since Ferrari believed that the vehicle should not be detuned to comply with increasingly stringent emission standards, the car was not sold in the United States. However, numerous 512 BBs were certified by independent importers for the American market.

This particular examples shows just 23,000 kilometers on its odometer. The car was purchased new by the owner of Amerispec Corporation, Richard Fritz, of Danbury, Connecticut, and it was certified for the American market by his company, which was the leading importer of Ferraris that specialized in DOT/EPA conversions. The car remained in Fritz's care throughout the 1980s before being sold to its second owner. In 1999, the car was acquired by a collector in Texas, who kept the car for an additional 12 years, with just over 22,000 kilometers accumulated on the odometer. The current owner acquired it several years ago, and it has recently been given a substantial engine-out service. Other service performed on the car includes adding new fuel pumps to the flat 12-cylinder engine.

The car has a Tubi exhaust system, which is the car's only modification from stock. It rides on correct Michelin tires and the exterior is finished in Rosso Corsa paint. Inside, there is black leather trim, an original radio, along with tire tools, a manual, and an extra uncut key.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe
Chassis number: 27117
Engine number: 00371

1979 Ferrari 512 BB (Berlinetta Boxer) was ordered by Donald L. Weber directly from Maranello in Rosso Chiaro (Light Red) with Pella Nero (Black Leather) interior and red carpets. It left Europe aboard the MS Nopal Sel and set sail for the United States in March of 1979. Since the 512 BB was never intended for the U.S., it had to be federalized upon importation, a task completed by Automotive Compliance Inc.

Mr. Weber has owned this 512 BB since new and had it tastefully customized with subtle changes to the interior including a dyed headliner and the addition of a MOMO Prototipo steering wheel. The carburetors have velocity stacks and the engine is not currently equipped with air cleaners. The 4,942cc DOHC flat 12-cylinder engine produces 360 horsepower at 6,200 RPM and is backed by a five-speed manual transaxle. Four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes provide the stopping power.

by Dan Vaughan

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 marque's to showcase the potential in motorsports.

When Ferrari introduced their 206 GT Dino, they also introduced a model that stayed true to their heritage, with the 'cart before the horse.' The 365 GT/4 Daytona front-engined car was a phenomenal vehicle, equipped with a V12 powerplant, and soon became legendary.

The 365 GT4 BB, for Berlinetta Boxer, was introduced at the 1971 Turin Motorshow. It incorporated many design features from the P6 Show Car of 1968. Mounted mid-ship was a flat-12 engine that shared its design and construction with Ferrari's racing program. It was introduced to rival Lamborghini's Miura. The production version was shown at the 1973 Paris Motor Show with sales beginning that same year. A total of 386 were constructed with 58 being right-hand drive.

The flat-12 engine was longitudinally mounted in the engine bay at a 180-degree angle with the gearbox mounted directly under the engine. The flaw in this design was too much weight in just one place and not evenly dispersed throughout the vehicle. Sixty percent of the weight was in the rear, as well as the engine sat rather high since it was above the gearbox.

In 1976 at the Paris Motor Show Ferrari introduced their next iteration of the BB series, the 512 BB. This version brought changes to the vehicle's design along with a five-liter power plant. The triple tail lights were replaced with double units.

In 1981 the 512 BBi was introduced. The 'i' signified a fuel injection system. The 512 BBi remained in production until 1984 when it was replaced by the Ferrari Testarossa.

by Dan Vaughan

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 racing customers.

The 512 S carried a motor with a new V12 with 560 PS output. Unfortunately not air-cooled like the Porsche's flat-12 the 512 was equipped with a variety of cooling pipes and a heavy radiator. Weighing more than 100 kg than the alloy-framed 917, the chassis was of sturded steel that was reinforced with an aluminum sheet. Despite the weight difference, the Ferrari 512S and Porsche 917 were evenly matched.

Predictable teething problems and a weak suspension and transmission were the main issues with the Ferrari 512s in the beginning of 1970.

Produced between 1973 and 1984, the Berlinetta Boxer, or the Ferrari 512 was the name for a series of vehicles produced by Ferrari in Italy. A huge venture for Enzo Ferrari, the Boxer was a mid-mounted flat-12 engine that replaced the FR Daytona and succeeded in the Ferrari stable by the Testarossa.

Though Enzo feared that the mid-engined road car would be too difficult for his buyers to handle, he eventually agreed to his engineer's request that he adopt the layout. In the late 1950s, this attitude began to change as the marque lost its racing dominance to mid-engined competitors. The result of all this was the mid-engined 4, 6 and 8-cylinder Dino racing vehicles that Ferrari eventually allowed for the production Dino road cars to use the layout also. While the Daytona was launched with its engine in front, the company moved its V12 engines to the rear with its P and LM racing vehicles. Finally, in 1971, a mid-engined 12-cylinder road vehicle came on the scene.

Released at the 1971 Turin Motor Show, the first Boxer was the 365 GT4 BB with the production intent to rival Lamborghini's Miura. In 1973 it was finally released for sale at the Paris Motor Show. A total of 386 units were sold with only 58 of them being right-hand drive. The most prestigious of all Berlinetta Boxers, this was the fastest and most rare model.

The Boxer was as unique as possible, though it shared its numerical designation with the Daytona. Like the Dino, the Berlinetta Boxer was a mid-engined vehicle that housed the now flat -12 engine mounted longitudinally rather than transversely. Sharing the internal dimensions of the Daytona V12, the engine was spread out to 180_ as on Ferrari's 1970 Formula One car. Mounted above a five-speed manual transmission the engine produced 344 hp at 7200 rpm and 302 ft_lbf of torque @ 3900 rpm. This engine also used timing belts instead of chains.

In 1976 the 365 was updated as the Ferrari 512 BB, resuming the name of the previous Ferrari 512 racer. A total of 929 of the 512 BBs were produced. Though peak horsepower was off slights to 340 hp @ 6200 rpm (redline 7000 rpm), the engine was larger at 4942 cc. Due to a larger displacement and a longer stroke, torque was now up to 46 kgf_m from 44 kgf_m at 4600 rpm. To achieve a lower center of gravity dry sump lubrication was used. New external features were a front spoiler, added NACA side air vents that ducted air to the brakes, four tail lights instead of six and wider rear tires.

In 1981 the Bosch K-Jetronic fuel-injected 512Bbi was released. The end of the series, the new fuel-injected motor released cleaner emissions and 340 hp at 6000 rpm and produced 333 ft_lbf of torque at 4200 rpm. New updates included badging and a change to metric-sized wheels along with the Michelin TRX metric tire system, red rear fog lamps outboard of the exhaust pipes in the rear valence and small running lights in the nose. A total of 1,007 512Bbi units were produced.

A total of 25 512S Ferrari's were produced within the first nine months with even chassis numbers from 1002 to 1050. In 1970, 19 of those units were raced, with five of them being spyders. At the end of the season, the 1020 was converted as a 512M and sold to NART which entered it in competition a year later.

by Jessican Donaldson