1980 Ferrari 512 BB (Carburettor)

The registration number DN3 will not accompany the car. The car's history file is still with the vendor and will be forwarded directly to the buyer after the sale.

Having reasserted itself at the top of the supercar hierarchy with the first 'Boxer'- the 365GT/4 BB - Ferrari went one better with its successor, the 512 'Berlinetta Boxer' was introduced in October 1976 at the Paris Auto Show. Its aim was to replace the front-engine Daytona, allowing Ferrari to offer a mid-engined V12 to rival the increasing might of Lamborghini.

For the new car, Ferrari abandoned its long-standing practice of denoting a model by the capacity of an individual cylinder and adopted the Dino-type nomenclature where '512' indicates 5-litres/12-cylinders. The increase in engine size from the original Boxer's 4.4-litres was made, not so much with increased power in mind, but to enable the 512 BB to meet increasingly stringent emissions targets without a loss of performance. Displacement was increased by enlarging both bore and stroke, whilst in addition, the compression ratio was raised, and lubrication changed from wet to dry sump. Quoted power remained the same (but may have been more truthful) at 360bhp, and torque was improved to 332lb/ft at 5,000rpm which, coupled with revised gear ratios, made the 512 much more tractable. Capable of hitting 60mph in under six seconds and passing 170mph, this was a car that was as fast as it looked.

Styling changes were subtle, with a small chin spoiler added to the nose, NACA ducts added in front of the rear wheels, larger rear arches to accommodate wider rear wheels, and finally, four tail-lights replaced the six on the 365.

The car presented here is a 1980 Ferrari 512 Berlinetta Boxer (Carburettor), chassis number ‘31545’, and is one of only 101 right-hand drive 512 BB models delivered new to the UK importer, Maranello Concessionaires Ltd. The original colour scheme was Rosso Corsa with Nero hide trim and Rosso carpets, the classic combination it still wears today.

In recent years, this matching numbers car was owned by a prominent member of the Ferrari Owners Club, who knew a good 512 when he saw (owned) one. He was the custodian of one-of-the-best, lavishing much expenditure on it and assigning it the very distinctive registration, DN3*. It's accompanied by an extensive history file containing numerous invoices for servicing/maintenance over the years. Sadly, the last owner has recently passed away and the car is now being sold by his close friend on behalf of the family.

This car has never required any major work due to its regular servicing, low mileage (just 23,000) and garage storage. Rarely have these true classic 1980s V12 Ferraris lived such a pampered life in the hands of so few owners. Small but important details are ‘just right’ on this car, all helping to support this dutiful ownership and original condition. Indeed, the car has just (April 2023) received a full engine-out service by Ferrari specialists ‘Shiltech’ of Loughborough and is absolutely ‘match-fit’.

The Berlinetta Boxer series offers great-value relative to other 1960/1970s big Ferraris, with the 512 BB being one of the most capable and exciting supercars of its era.

*(We haven't been able to confirm yet whether the Cherished Registration, DN3, will remain with the car, TBC)