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.

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.

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.

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 Dan Vaughan

Berlinetta
Chassis number: 35527
Engine number: F102B000 0.23

This Ferrari 512 BB/LM 'Silhouette' factory-built racer is serial number 35527. It was used by the North American Racing Team (N.A.R.T.) and was given many upgrades by Motion Products, such as the engine which features titanium rods, an aluminum flywheel, forged 11.5-1 racing pistons, racing-grade piston rings, titanium retainers, high lift camshafts, and ported cylinder heads. It has been rated at around 526 horsepower with maximum torque achieved at just under 400 lb/ft.

This car has a double LeMans race history and is the 19th of the 25 constructed.

In 1981 it was sold new to Luigi Chinetti's North American Race Team (NART) and entered at the 24 Hour of Le Mans the same year. Driving duties were assigned to Alain Cudini, John Morton and Philippe Gurdjian. In practice, it qualified 4th overall by Cudini and was the fastest of the five Ferraris. The 1981 lap time of 3 minutes 52.6 seconds has never been beaten. During the race, it ran well and remained in contention until an on-track altercation with another car forced the car to the sidelines in the 19th hour.

It returned the following year wearing number 72 (the prior year had been 49) and finished in an impressive 9th overall.

In 1999 the engine modifications were made with the original F102B unit (F102B 0000.23) being replaced by a period-correct F110A V-12 (number 00682) modified by Motion Products of Neenah, Wisconsin, for use in historic racing. The original engine, stamped 'Marion,' was rebuilt in 2001 and bench tested.

In 2000, the BB/LM was brought to the Cavallino Ferrari Classic IX in Palm Beach Florida and was raced in the Ferrari Historic Races in 2000 through 2003 by Todd Morici of Clifton, New Jersey. It was then acquired by Jean Guikas via broker Michael Sheehan. By 2006, Guikas had sold 35527 to Charles Wegner of West Chicago, Illinois. Wegner drove the BB/LM in several seasons of the Shell Ferrari Historic Challenge Series across North America. In late 2010, Wegner sold 35527 back to Guikas; this proved to be a regretful sale and Wegner reacquired it in February 2016.

A restoration was soon undertaken by Dugan Motorsports in Oceanside, California with nearly $330,000 (USD) spent on the work. The work was completed in late 2017 and it had been entirely refreshed and refinished in its 1982 NART Le Mans livery, complete with its Marion Chinetti memorial tailgate applique.

This vehicle remains the single fastest and currently, the most successful BB/LM ever completed having set three track records in a row at the Ferrari/Shell Historic Race Series where it won all six races in a row.

The car was shown in 2018 at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance as part of that year's focus on NART Ferraris and received an Amelia Award. 35527's last historic race outing came during the Sonoma Speed Festival on May 31st of 2019, where it competed in the Group 10 IMSA class.

by Dan Vaughan