1978 Ferrari 512 BB

This particular 512BB (F102BB #24927) was supplied new in 1978 by H.R.Owen to a Dr P J Taylor of Tavistock Road, London with a then list price of £27,750 and assigned the registration number AYF 289T, which pleasingly it still retains. It’s classically finished in Rosso Corsa with a Crema hide interior that includes Daytona seats with Nero striped inserts all complemented by the recently fitted Nero carpets.

Residing in the present owner’s stable for some four years, during which time a timetable of required works have been completed bringing the Ferrari up to its present very high level of finish. The work, commencing on 1st December 2020, was entrusted to Simon Campbell and included every aspect of the car including bodywork (minor cosmetic improvements as it was already in excellent condition), the interior, front and rear suspension, drive shafts, steering, brakes, ancillaries, carbs, clutch, gearbox, electrics, wheels and tyres and most importantly, a comprehensive engine rebuild. Our vendor has prepared a well written six-page document detailing all this work and this is available to interested parties, however, to illustrate his fastidious approach to preparing this superb 512, we have listed details of the engine rebuild;

• Engine completely striped down and the cylinder block was split. The block halves, crankshaft, con rods, cylinder heads and camshafts were sent to T&L Engineering in Bedford for all checking, measuring, and machining work
• The block was cleaned in an acid bath and given a lime wash. The main bearings were checked for alignment and line bored. The liner seats were trued, and alignment checked. The camshaft journals were measured for ovality and alignment and then polished. The main bearing and big-end bearing journals were within factory specs and remain standard. New liners were fitted, and deck heights checked. Con-rod alignment checked and honed
• Cylinder heads were stripped down and cleaned in an acid bath and lime washed. The cylinder heads were skimmed 0.003"-0.004". The valve seats were re-cut and new valve guides fitted. The cam bearings were line bored and the camshafts were checked for alignment and the journals polished. Timecerts were fitted to camshaft studs as required
• Oilway plugs were removed, and the oilways cleaned and checked for blockages. New plugs were fitted as required
• The oil pressure pump cover was sent to a specialist welding company for laser welding to the pump walls and machining back to original specification. New oil pump gears and bearing were fitted. A new oil scavenger pump body was fitted along with a new driven gear
• Oil pressure relief valve spring and shim replaced as was the oil pressure sender replaced
• New inner and outer bearings and oil seals were fitted to the driven timing pulleys along with new locknuts
• New main bearings (standard), thrust washers and front and rear oil seals fitted
• JE high compression pistons fitted to give a compression ratio of approximately 10.4:1
• New piston rings gapped and fitted. New big-end bearings (standard) fitted. The pistons/con rod assemblies were balanced and new lock nuts fitted
• Valve springs checked for length and strength and the cylinder heads were re-assembled with new inlet valves. The exhaust valves have been replaced at an earlier date. New valve seats fitted and valve-to-piston clearance checked
• Camshafts refitted along with new camshaft seals. An alignment issue was noted with the left side exhaust camshaft pulley (due to the camshaft being dropped at some stage). A new camshaft was purchased from Maranello and fitted
• New lightweight Aluminium cam pulleys and new locking washers were also fitted, along with new timing belts
• Camshaft timing was set using a degree wheel. Tappet clearances set. Engine filled with Castrol GTX Classic 10w/40

Prior to the restoration, the kph speedometer which was reading 40,949km was removed and the original mph speedometer was refitted and still reading 29,925 miles as per when it was removed by DK Engineering in 1994. Total mileage is therefore 29,925 miles plus 40,949km (25,593 miles) equalling 55,518 miles.

A comprehensive timeline detailing the history, ownership and service schedules together with a breakdown of the recent recommissioning is included within the two ring-binders of history and is available to view at our Documents Desk during the sale. It should also be noted that the original toolkit remains in place.

The striking 512 BB was at the pinnacle of 1970s 'Supercar' motoring and still turns heads today with this fabulous example now ready once again to be used and enjoyed as originally intended. Your early inspection is welcomed and encouraged to fully appreciate the quality on offer.