Chassis No. 27061

Engine No. 00388

The Ferrari 512 Berlinetta Boxer represented a significant evolution of Ferrari's mid-engine supercar formula, building upon the foundation laid by the 365 GT4 BB. Engine displacement grew to 4,942 cc, and as a result, Ferrari opted to abandon its traditional practice of naming models after their cylinder capacity in favor of a Dino-type nomenclature where 512 referred to the car's 5.0-liter, 12-cylinder engine. Dry sump lubrication now prevented oil starvation under hard cornering, while a new dual plate clutch reduced pedal effort for a more livable overall driving experience.

Road & Track magazine's comprehensive road test revealed their clear preference for the Ferrari over its primary Italian rival, finding the 512 BB superior to the Lamborghini Countach in virtually every meaningful category. Their final verdict was emphatic: "The Boxer has it all, the speed, the handling, the lovely shape, the well adorned cockpit and, most important of all, a reputation for reliability." This assessment positioned the 512 BB not just as a formidable supercar, but as the most complete exotic car of its era.

This fine Boxer, chassis number 27061, was one of just 929 512 BBs to leave Maranello, completed in 1979. It was finished in a Nero (Black) exterior, originally complemented by a Sabbia (Sand) Connolly leather interior. Upon completion, it was delivered new in Italy, and like many Italian exotics of the '60s and '70s, was destined to find its way to America despite not being offered in the U.S. market. A plaque mounted on the driver's-side door jamb indicates that the car was federalized by Amerispec Corp. in May 1979.

By 2001, chassis 27061 had found its way to vintage Ferrari dealer Tom Shaughnessy who had acquired it through Ferrari of Washington. Shayghnessy engaged Charles "Chuck" Wray of Grand Touring Enterprises in Loudoun County, Virginia, to collect the car and arrange transport to his facility in San Clemente, California. Upon seeing this exceptional example, Chuck immediately recognized its potential and inquired about purchasing it. The car was reportedly a solid, low-mileage example that had sat unused for several years and was in need of a restoration.

Wray subsequently purchased the Boxer and Grand Touring completed a comprehensive ground-up restoration that encompassed fully disassembling the car to a bare shell, removing the engine, suspension, and interior. A complete engine-out service was performed with the replacement of all belts, hoses, and a valve adjustment, with reassembly to show-quality standards. The gearbox was resealed and refinished, while the body was stripped to bare metal and refinished to the highest standard in its original Nero specification. The interior was completely restored in-house using materials sourced from Lupi SAS in Italy, and both front and rear suspensions were fully overhauled. No shortcuts were taken with regard to detail or quality, as the project was completed by Grand Touring for Chuck's father, Charlie Wray.

The quality of the restoration was validated when the car earned the Best Ferrari award at the Bella Machina Ferrari Club of America event at Sky Top, Pennsylvania, in 2009. The following year, it captured the Pininfarina Closed Car Award at the Radnor Hunt Concours d'Elegance in Pennsylvania. The highlight of the Boxer's concours appearances came at the Palm Beach Cavallino Classic XIX in 2010 where it received a second-place Gold award, with the only deduction being for its non-original exhaust system. Following these appearances, the car remained within the same family collection until 2020, when it was sold to the current owner and friend of the Wrays. At the time of this ownership transfer, a complete mechanical service was performed once again at Grand Touring that included a timing belt replacement, valve adjustment, distributor service, replacement of all fluids and filters, installation of four period-correct Michelin XWX tires, a four-wheel alignment, and carburetor adjustment to ensure the car was current on all maintenance requirements.

Since entering the current ownership, this 512 BB has been actively enjoyed on several long-distance touring events and rallies. These included a memorable journey from Maryland to the Formula One Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal with the Ferrari club, as well as participation in the challenging five-day Going to the Sun Rally in Montana. These demanding drives have proven both the reliability of Chuck Wray's mechanical restoration work and the very grand touring qualities of the 512 BB praised by Road & Track.

Today, this 512 BB offers the increasingly uncommon combination of show-quality presentation and proven road-worthiness. The dramatic black-on-black color scheme enhances the car's already striking Pininfarina-penned wedge silhouette, while the comprehensive restoration and subsequent mechanical refresh ensure this is a Boxer ready for continued enjoyment at FCA events or any number of road rallies.