- Exterior: Rosso Corsa
- Interior: Black Leather
- Engine: 4.9 liter flat-12
- Trans: 5-speed manual
- Mileage: 18,640 miles
1984 Ferrari 512 BBi Berlinetta Boxer
This is a beautifully-preserved 3-owner BBi that was imported to the United States new and federalized by Amerispec. It has terrific documentation including the original invoice from Ferrari, as well as photos of the car being delivered at the factory. The car has been fastidiously maintained with no expense spared, including a major service with new belts and clutch in 2007 about 2000 miles ago. The car was recently inspected by Patrick Ottis and was found to be in outstanding original condition throughout.
This car is currently in Lafayette, CA.
the model
The Boxer line represented a remarkable departure for Ferrari. It was the successor to the comparatively conventional Daytona, and Ferrari's first mid-engined flagship. Those who had witnessed Lamborghini’s stunning Miura had been anxiously awaiting Ferrari`s response, and the Boxer did not disappoint. Featuring a horizontally opposed twelve-cylinder motor longitudinally mounted in line with the transmission, it had a low center of gravity placed near the center of mass. Clothed in suitably rakish bodywork by Pininfarina, the Boxer was a stunner. The 512 BBi represents the ultimate development of the Boxer line and was distinguished from the 512 BB and 365 models that preceded it by the introduction of fuel injection, making emissions testing where required much less of a headache than with carburetors. Today, the Boxer remains a dramatic and exciting car that is masculine without being too demanding to drive.
history
This particular example is a beautifully-preserved three-owner from new car that was imported to the United States new. Its original owner purchased the car through Algar and picked it up from the factory in December of 1983. He had it imported shortly thereafter, and federalized by Amerispec, with the EPA release completed in April of 1984. Though the car was federalized, it escaped the unsightly additions of side reflectors and impact bumpers. The car comes with its original invoice from the factory, which notes that this example was finished without black Boxer trim in red with a black leather interior. There are also photographs of the car at the factory when it was delivered new.
The first owner kept the car until August of 1989, when is second owner acquired it. He owned the car until December of 2005, when the car’s current owner purchased it with 15,539 miles from new. The car had received a major service (including belts) in February of 2005. Since acquiring it, the current owner has serviced the car regularly, including major service (again including belts) in May of 2007. Since being acquired by the current owner, the car has been serviced by Patrick Ottis and Brian Crall. Work performed includes:
- October 2006 at 16,232 miles by Patrick Ottis: Determine cause of no electrical power, general sorting $851.69
- May 2007 at 16,350 miles by Brian Crall: replace timing belts, coolant hoses, brake fluid, coolant, oil, clutch, resurface flywheel, all brake pads, jet coat headers, rebuild distributor, set up fuel injection, replace main shaft in gearbox, fit 512 prop shaft, 4th and 5th gear main and pinion shafts, new synchro rings, shift fork, synchro hub, bearing, sleeve $24,084.71
- Feb 2008 Rebuild alternator
- May 2008 New battery
- May 2010 Pre-purchase inspection by Patrick Ottis (full inspection available on request): 175psi compression on all 12 cylinders and excellent original car throughout.
Condition
The car was previously shown some years ago and reportedly achieved Platinum, and at this time the car remains in excellent cosmetic condition. It presents as a lovely largely original example and is very complete with tools, books, records, and the spare wheel with tire. The paint is believed to be original, and close inspection reveals no significant evidence of a repaint, other than on an area of the right door. Regardless, the paint and body are in extremely nice shape overall. The paint has excellent luster and only a handful of small blemishes. The body is very straight, with one or two small dents that are visible only in the correct lighting conditions. The wheels are in very good shape, as are the spinners. The trim is very nice throughout, as are the lights and glazing. The car has correct Cibié flat front head lamps and Carello fog lamps. The overall impression of the car is of an honest well-cared for low mileage car that is aging gracefully.
The interior also appears to be substantially original. The seats are quite supple and have a nice even patina. They do show a bit of wear in the ingress/egress area of the driver’s seat, but very little all things considered. The carpets are very nice, as are the various leather trimmed items such as the headliner and center console. The dashboard is showing some shrinkage on the top, as is common on Boxers. The accessories work properly throughout, including the stereo, equalizer, and even the air conditioning. The original Pioneer stereo with equalizer is still in place and functions properly.
The front compartment is in very nice shape as well. The spare cover is still in place, as is the strap for the tool roll, which is present, complete, and in excellent shape. The inner fenders are excellent and show no signs of damage. The engine compartment is also very clean, in keeping with a well-cared for unrestored car. The paint is showing age in certain areas, such as on the intake manifold runners or sections of the air boxes, but overall, the engine is very clean and correct throughout. For example, the original Ferrari stenciling is still present on the airboxes. The heat shielding on the inside of the engine lid is starting to show some age.
This is an outstanding opportunity to acquire a superb late-production example of this important model. The last of the Boxers, it is worth noting that BBi is noticeably faster than the Testarossa that replaced it, in addition to being arguably better looking, rarer, and more valuable. This particular car has had just three owners, known history from new, and was federalized in an unobtrusive manner. Furthermore, it is very complete, beautifully preserved, well-documented, and has been fastidiously maintained. It does not have a California BAR sticker and is thus offered as a 49-state car.
Vehicle Photos
Photos taken at the Ferrari factory in December 1983:
