1978 Ferrari BB 512 Carburettor

Right Hand Drive: UK Supplied: 1 of 101 Cars Produced

Ferrari Classiche Certified: 24,767 miles: Ferrari Service History

Having reasserted itself at the top of the supercar hierarchy with the first ‘Boxer’ – the 365GT/4 BB – Ferrari went one better in 1976 with its successor the BB 512. The increase in engine size to 4942cc was made not so much with increased power in mind but to enable the 512BB to meet increasingly stringent emissions targets without loss of performance. Displacement was increased by enlarging both bore and stroke, while in addition the compression ratio was raised and dry-sump lubrication adopted. The result of all these changes was a useful increase in torque which, coupled with revised gear ratios, made the 512BB a far more tractable and enjoyable car to use.

Changes to Pininfarina’s inspired coachwork were not surprisingly few as their original design for the 365BB was sensational. Revised front air-dam spoiler beneath the nose, brake-cooling NACA ducts ahead of the rear wheel arches, four rear lights instead of six and revised air intake boxes, while

slightly lower profile rear tyres meant that the width of the 512’s rear grew by just over 25mm. The running gear likewise came in for only minor revision, gaining stiffer springs/anti-roll bars and altered damping rates, while the already excellent all-round ventilated disc brakes remained unchanged. Inside, the 512 remained virtually the same as before but for the welcome adoption of multi-way adjustable seats in place of the fixed originals.

Road & Track magazine had achieved a speed of 175mph (280km/h) in the preceding 365GT/4 BB, and although lack of road space prevented the discovery of their test 512’s capability; Ferrari’s claimed maximum of 188mph was felt entirely realistic. At the world launch of the motorcar Road &

Track stated that the Ferrari 512 Boxer was regarded as the best all-round sports and GT car we’ve tested. If we had to pin the reasons down to one it would have to be that the Ferrari doesn’t forget the driver. The Boxer has it all, the speed, the handling, the lovely shape, the well done cockpit and, most important of all, a reputation for reliability.

Possessing an engine directly related to Ferrari’s contemporary Formula 1 unit, as well as being both lighter and faster than the legendary Daytona, the 512BB was one of the most capable and exciting supercars of its era and is still capable of providing all the thrills that an enthusiastic owner-driver

Our car #23527 was supplied new by myself, whilst I was the Sales Director of the official Ferrari distributors for London, HR Owen. My client Mr R Gawn of Cambridge commissioned the car to be Exterior: Rosso Rubino Metalizzato / Nero Base

Today, the car has covered approximately 24,767 miles & comes complete with its original leather pouch and books, original toolkit, jack & spare wheel. We have completed a full re-commissioning programme which included the following detailed works:

• Complete bare metal re-paint in the original manufacture colour – Rosso Rubino Metalizzato
• New Leather interior – VM3997 Connolly Crema by Luppi, Modena, Italy)
• Extensive mechanical refurbishment by official Ferrari Classiche Service Centre
• Ferrari Classiche Certified

Accompanying the car is an historical chassis file and factory equipment that includes:

• Original Leather Handbook Pouch
• Original Handbook & Sales /Service Centre booklets
• Original Tool Attaché Case
• Original Factory Production invoices
• Maintenance Invoices from 1985
• Historical Tax Discs from 1996

Without doubt this is a unique opportunity to acquire one of Ferrari’s most highly sought after contemporary models, perhaps their first real supercar. Presented in concours condition, with entirely correct matching numbers & presented in original manufacturers exterior and interior finishes. The issuance of Ferrari Classiche Certification together with its extremely low recorded mileage makes this particular Ferrari 512 BB Carburettor perhaps the most collectable Right Hand Drive Berlinetta currently available for sale anywhere today.