1976 Ferrari 512 BB Coupé
- Engine
- 5.0L flat-12, related to contemporary F1 unit
- Colour
- 'Rosso Corsa' (red), refinished from original light blue metallic
The Ferrari 512 BB was the successor to the original Berlinetta Boxer, featuring a 5-litre flat-12 engine, Pininfarina coachwork, and improved torque and tractability over its predecessor. This example holds the distinction of being the first right-hand drive 512 BB built, one of only 101 such cars produced. Imported to the UK by Maranello Concessionaires in October 1976, it served as a motor show exhibit, press car, and demonstrator before passing through several noted owners. It spent 26 years in an Austrian private Ferrari collection before being professionally recommissioned.
Ownership
- 2019-12-07Auction saleEstimate £180,000 – £240,000
- 1976-10-01 → 1976-11-01Factory deliveryMaranello Concessionairesfull documentation
Imported the car into the UK as the first right-hand drive 512 BB; used it to exhibit at the London Motor Show before promptly passing it on.
- 1976-11-02 → 1977-09-01Private saleMaranello Salesfull documentation
Used as a demonstrator and press vehicle; the car was registered on 2 November 1976 and appeared on the front cover of Autocar in April 1977 during this period.
- 1977-09-01 →Private saleRobert Cooperfull documentation
Proprietor of Coopers Publicity Services; a Maranello Sales invoice references a verbal quote for a respray, suggesting he may have had the colour changed.
- → 1990-10-01Acquisition unknownJohn Woodfieldpartial documentation
Owner of Emblem Sports Cars, a Ferrari dealership in Dorset; drove the car regularly and fitted wider wheels and a Koenig Specials rear clamshell with flared arches, changing the registration to TFX 550R.
- 1990-10-01 →Private saleAustrian Ferrari collectorpartial documentation
Kept the car in a private multi-Ferrari collection for approximately 26 years; the car remained in exceptional condition throughout this long period of storage.
- Date unknownPrivate saleBell Classicspartial documentation
Acquired the car and returned it to the UK; carried out a full recommissioning including an engine-out cam-belt service and new tyres prior to the auction.
Competition
- 1976-10-01London Motor Show
Car was exhibited by Maranello Concessionaires as the latest Ferrari model shortly after UK import.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Bodywork
The car was resprayed from its original Azzurro Metallizzato (light blue metallic) finish to Rosso Corsa red. This is believed to have occurred during Robert Cooper's ownership, based on a quoted price on a Maranello Sales invoice.
The invoice from Maranello Sales references a verbal quote of £1,045 for the respray work.
- —Modification
Wider wheels matching Lamborghini Countach specification were fitted, along with a Koenig Specials rear clamshell featuring wider flared wheelarches, carried out during John Woodfield's ownership.
Woodfield was an admirer of Koenig Specials modifications and applied these changes during his multi-year ownership.
- —ServiceBell Classics
Following purchase by Bell Classics and return to the UK, the car underwent a comprehensive recommissioning including a full service, an engine-out cam-belt replacement, and fitting of new tyres.
Work carried out after the car emerged from 26 years of static storage in a private collection.
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