Highlights

Matching numbers throughout
Presented in its original colour combination of Rosso Chiaro over a Pelle Nera interior
The first dry-sump Ferrari Berlinetta Boxer

The Ferrari 512 BB

Rivalry — the catalyst of either greatness or failure. For Italian car manufacturers in the 1960s and ’70s, it was the rivalry between them that resulted in some of the most iconic and timeless supercars ever created. Kicking the competition off was Lamborghini’s Miura in 1966, followed by Maserati’s Bora and Ferrari’s 365 GTB/4 BB, which both debuted in 1971. And thus, the mid-engined supercar was born.

Never to rest on their laurels, Lamborghini stepped up its supercar game not only with its design but also its performance when it built its second supercar, the Countach, in 1974 — to which Ferrari responded with the 512 Berlinetta Boxer in 1976.

Introduced at the Paris Auto Show, the 512 featured a 4.9-litre, 180-degree, flat 12-cylinder engine with a higher compression ratio and four triple-barrel Weber carburettors. The engine was enlarged from the 365 GTB/4 Berlinetta Boxer’s 4.4 litres to 4.9, which resulted not only in an increase in power but also enabled the 512 BB to meet increasingly strict emissions laws. The compressions ratio was also raised, dry-sump lubrication was adopted, and gear ratios were revised. As a result, the Berlinetta Boxer produced 340 horsepower, 333 foot-pounds of torque at 4,600 rpm, a 0–60 time of six seconds and a top speed of 188 mph. This 188 mph was four less than the Lamborghini Countach’s ‘fastest ever’ maximum speed, but Road & Track magazine was adamant that this slight difference wasn’t important. “That's because, taken on balance, the Ferrari 512 Boxer wins a more important award, 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.”

Chassis and body modifications included wider rear tyres and an expanded rear track, a new front chin spoiler and NACA intakes were added on the flanks to cool its exhaust system, and its taillights were reduced from triple to twin units. As standard, the interior was fitted with plush leather, full instrumentation, electric window lifts, three-point inertia seat belts, and air conditioning.

This Ferrari 512 BB

The Ferrari 512 BB offered here, chassis 30765, was delivered new to Germany, having completed assembly in Maranello in January 1980. The car was originally finished in Rosso Chiaro over a Pelle Nera interior, just as it is presented today. This 512 BB is fitted with engine no. 00573, gearbox no. 581 and body no 446, just as it was when it rolled out of the Ferrari factory in 1980.

This 512 Berlinetta Boxer was originally delivered new to German, before passing through the United States of America where it was bought by a Texan dealer in 1988. Shortly after the car returned to Europe and registered in England, being assigned the registration ‘JFG 986V’, before being purchased by Robert Nydes in London in August 1991.

In 1994 the car passed through German dealer, Mario Bernardi, before being registered in Germany where it was assigned the registration ‘A-US 34’. In 2014 the car was bought by its current owner, joining a sizeable and important collection of classic cars, including a Ferrari 275 GTB 6C and BMW 327 / 328 Sports Cabriolet. This collection of cars is maintained by a team dedicated and knowledgeable in-house mechanics. In early 2015 this car had its engine removed for a complete service including new cambelts. With the engine removed, the opportunity was taken to enhance, clean and detail the engine bay, with the exhaust system, heat shields and air intakes being refinished.

Today, this matching numbers Ferrari 512 BB displays less than 31,000 kilometres and retains its original chassis, body, engine and gearbox. Thanks to careful maintenance, this 512 BB offers the next owner the opportunity to experience Ferraris first dry-sump Berlinetta Boxer with four triple Weber carburettors and a top speed in excess of 302 km/h.

Price Upon Application