1977 Ferrari

1 of only 101 right-hand drive examples delivered new to the UK

The 1977 London Motor Show car

Extensive history file with copies of the original order and sales invoice

Original tools and tool case along with the original handbooks and wallets

Excellent condition throughout and Classiche Certified

MODEL HISTORY

Enzo Ferrari had always been reluctant to change the front-engined V12 formula but when Ferrari started to lose to mid-engined competition on the racetrack, pride got the better of him and Ferrari started moving to mid-engined layouts in motorsport. The launch of the Miura and later the Countach, coupled with the success of the Dino sub-brand, had the same effect on Mr. Ferrari when it came to ‘taking the plunge’ on his road cars and as a result the Berlinetta Boxer was born.

First seen in 1971 at the Turin Motor Show, the 365 GT/4 BB was unveiled as the successor to the front-engined Ferrari Daytona. The engine shared the same internal dimensions as the Daytona (4.4 Litres) but was now in a 180° configuration, like the Ferrari Formula One cars of the time. The original 365 GT/4 BB was available for sale from 1973 until 1976 when after just 387 were built, the new 512 BB was launched.

Although similar in appearance to the outgoing 365, the 512 BB introduced a dual plate clutch, a higher compression ratio and dry sump lubrication. It was also the first Ferrari to move away from the traditional model number designation, that used the individual cylinder displacement, to a new system of the displacement followed by the number of cylinders, in this case 5 litres and 12 cylinders. After 929 examples had been built (101 in RHD), the 512 BB was replaced by the 512 BBi which saw the move to fuel injection, a move that at the time was more prompted by emissions and moving with the times, as it offered no more power and one lost the incredible noise of 6 Webers greedily sucking air in, a few inches behind your head. A technological step forward perhaps but a step back for the purist.

THIS MOTOR CAR

This example of the Ferrari 512 BB for sale at The Classic Motor Hub was ordered new by the official Ferrari agent, Maranello Concessionaires in May 1977 for the 1977 London Motor Show at Earls Court. Correspondence on file includes copies of original order forms to the factory and the specification of Rosso Chiaro (20-R-190) over Pelle Beige (VM 3234). A photo on file shows the car at the show, where it is believed to have been bought and sold through Ferrari dealers Cooper Car Sales to its first owner.

The history file accompanying the car is exhaustive with MOT certificates and invoices going right back to 1981, along with the aforementioned correspondence with the factory in 1977. The original handbook and service book accompany the car in their original leather wallet. The service book shows stamps from 1978 right through to 2014 and the invoices on file show the car has been extremely well maintained over the years. Interested parties should note that a PDF summary of the extensive MOT history and service work is available on request. Most recently, in 2019, the car was taken to Riverside Performance Engineering where the engine and gearbox was removed and a comprehensive recommissioning was carried out including a full cambelt service, new clutch, new fuel lines and a cosmetic refresh of the engine and other components. The bill totalled just under £16,000 GBP and the car has covered just a couple of hundred miles since then.

On top of the fabulous history file and provenance, this Ferrari 512 BB is Classiche Certified and comes with the hugely desirable ‘Red Book’. Most often found on much more valuable models, this ‘seal of approval’ from the factory offers any potential buyer the piece of mind one looks for when purchasing a collectors car.

This Ferrari 512 BB for sale at the Classic Motor Hub is available for immediate inspection. Please contact us to arrange a virtual or contact-free viewing.