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 Dan Vaughan

Coupe
Chassis number: 29507

Ferrari 512 BBLM with chassis number 29507 was constructed on October 30th of 1979. It was never raced, except in historic competition. It was sold to Albert Obrist in January of 1980. A few months later it became the possession of Jon Masterson of Newport Beach, California. He entered it into the Virginia City Hillclimb wearing number 00. Ten years later he entered the car in the FCA National Concours at Watkins Glen. The car finished Second in Class.

Ronald W. Busuttil of Bel Aire, California, became the cars next owner in December of 1992. The car was entered into the 1994 International Ferrari Concours at Monterey. It was awarded a Second in Class. In June of 1995 it was entered in the Rosso Rodeo Concours of Beverly Hills where it finished Second in Class. It was apart of the 1997 Ferrari at 50 Exhibit in the Petersen Museum. The final outing for the car under Busuttil's care was at the 1997 Rodeo Drive Concours.

It was sold in 2000 to Sandra and Kurt Schultz fo Union Dale, PA. Since then the car has appeared at historic racing events such as the 2006 Cavallino Classic and Watkins Glen event.

History

October 30, 1979 - Completed as seventh of twenty five 512 BBLM Silhouette Competition Berlinettas

January 2, 1980 - Issued Certificate of Origin and sold to Albert Obrist of Reinach, Switzerland on Ferrari Invoice No 5159/79

April 1980-1992 - Sold to John Masterson. Raced and shown in numerous events from 1981-1992 including 1st Place at Long Beach Grand Prix Concours, April 1981.

Feb 1993,Jn 1995,Apr 1997 Shown by Dr Busitti at the Rodeo Drive Concours d'Begance. Awarded 1st in Class

April 1997 - Displayed at the Petersen Automotive Museum for the 50th Anniversary Ferrari Celebration

Jan 2000-2007 - Competed in the Ferrari Historic Series at the Cavallino Classic and shown in the Concours d'Elegance.

Awarded a Gold Award followed by four Platinum awards.

August 2000-present Raced by Mr. Schultz in Ferrari Shell Historic Challenge Series

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe
Chassis number: 26681
Engine number: F102 BB LM *006*

Ferrari used this example as both a prototype and as the racing homologation model. It was the first of the 'Silhouette' BB/LMs constructed and upon completion, Pininfarina used it in various wind tunnel tests and aerodynamic studies. 26681 was then taken to the track where it was tested at speed.

The car was then used by Charles Pozzi, the Ferrari France race team, though the formal ownership of this vehicle was still with the SEFAC Ferrari. It was sent from the Ferrari factory directly to Daytona Beach, Florida in preparation for the 24 Hours of Daytona.

At Daytona, it wore race number 66 and driven by Jean Claude Andruet and Spartaco Dini. The car qualified 15th on the grid but was formally withdrawn after 103 laps without any problems or issues. The sister car had suffered suspension and tire issues and concerns led to the removal of the other BBLM.

After the race, the car returned back to the Ferrari Factory Race Department in preparation for the 24 Hours of LeMans.

At LeMans, the car wore race number 62. It was driven by Jean Claude Andruet and Spartaco Dini. The car qualified 30th on the grid but would retire after 240 laps after having running 8th overall.

After LeMans, the car was sent back to Ferrari and rebuilt. It was put through additional testing and development. It was never again formally entered in any competition.

In 1984, the car was officially sold to Charles Pozzi and Ferrari of France. The car would remain in storage for over a decade until it was display at a Ferrari France Club Meeting in June of 1991.

Beginning in the mid-1990s, the car would pass through several owners.

by Dan Vaughan

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.

by Dan Vaughan