1978 FERRARI 512 BB - 26-YEAR OWNERSHIP

This Ferrari 512 BB is a cherished example of the marque’s flagship supercar of the late 1970s, offered from 26-year ownership, during which it has been driven and enjoyed as intended. Under the rear clam shell is a thunderous 4.9-litre flat-12 engine, driving the rear wheels through a five-speed manual transmission. The odometer currently shows 40,700 km (25,290 miles), though the accurate mileage from new is believed to be 55,215 miles due to a speedometer replacement in 1994.

First registered in September 1978, chassis 24927 was supplied new via main dealer H.R. Owen, and the original factory specification was Rosso Chiaro with an interior of black Connolly leather. There are just five previous registered keepers on the log book, and it was acquired by the current owner in 1994, who is a long-term Ferrari Owners’ Club member.

When delivered to its first owner, Dr P.J. Taylor, the car’s original registration was XYM 55T. In April 1983, it was acquired by Mr R Battistini, and during his ownership it remained in the original factory specification. It was also during his ownership that the registration was changed to 163 COR, which it still wears today. After a minor accident in the late 1980s that damaged the front clamshell, the car was sold on to his mechanic. The vendor reports there is no evidence of this damage today, however. At some point between 1987 and 1994, the interior was changed to the current beige hue with red accents, and the bodywork was repainted in full Rosso Corsa.

Today, its bodywork and paint are described as being in generally good condition. Having been completely repainted shortly before the current owner acquired the car, it has received various portions of fresh paint since then, and notably had some extensive body repairs carried out in May 2009, to the rear section, doors, sill panels, and front and rear bumpers.

The front lip spoiler has been damaged by a protruding speed bump, so would benefit from repair, and there are some minor chips in the finish around the rest of the body as you would expect from a car that has been enjoyed. All of the light lenses are intact, and even the Vitaloni Californian wing mirrors are the period-correct items. Its 15-inch wheels are original but would benefit from refurbishment, as would the knock-off spinners.

Inside, the beige leather presents well given that it is now around 40 years old. There is some surface cracking in the leather, and more noticeable wear on the driver’s seat outer bolster, but no significant damage or rips in the material. A harness bar was installed during the current ownership, and was trimmed to match the rest of the cabin. It is fitted with four-point Sabelt safety harnesses, along with the original black seat belts. A few of the trim panels are slightly loose, so would benefit from being reattached securely, and the mounting around the passenger electric window switch is damaged.

Overall, the interior still looks smart for a car of this age, with the red seat stripes and piping complementing the body colour, along with the full set of red carpets. Ahead of the driver is a three-spoke Nardi steering wheel, while the rev counter has been rotated counter-clockwise by 90 degrees to improve visibility of the redline. While air-conditioning is installed, it requires recommissioning. The current odometer indicates 40,700 km (25,290 miles), and this is the mileage covered during the owner’s tenure. It was swapped for a miles-per-hour unit, which remains with the car, and which reads 29,925 miles - hence the total mileage of 55,215 miles.

The last scheduled maintenance was carried out in September 2020 by Ferrari specialist Migliore Cars, which comprised a full service and cambelt replacement, as well as some minor maintenance with a few new pipes and hoses. Prior to this, it received some attention to the bodywork and starter motor in May 2018, a refurbishment of the brakes in August 2016, and renewal of the shock absorbers in May 2015.

Between February 2011 and August 2012, the engine was rebuilt and fettled by specialists QV London and DK Engineering. The latter, at an indicated 36,151 km, included various new bearings and seals, renewal of the cam cover gaskets, adjustment of the valve clearances, and an overhaul of the starter motor and carburettors. New Avon tyres were also fitted at the same time. The total cost of the work over this 18-month period came to around £27,500.

DK Engineering were also responsible for various other mechanical work between 2008 and 2009, upgrading the front and rear springs and shock absorbers, with new bushes throughout, as well as a full geometry calibration. The front brakes also received an AP Racing conversion, and extensive rewiring was carried out with repairs to the fuse boards and relay board. Its radiator was overhauled, along with new hoses, and the exhaust manifolds were all replaced. In June 2008, the transmission was stripped and overhauled, and new inner and outer front wheel bearings were installed.

Its last MOT test was carried out on 25 November 2019 at an indicated 40,393 km, when it achieved a clean pass with no advisories. The tyres are the Avon CR6 items fitted in 2012, which have only covered some 4,500 km since then, and still have a good level of tread remaining.

Accompanying the car is the original owner’s handbook, stamped warranty and maintenance record, and 1978 dealer directory. The owner has retained all of the service history from 1994 onwards, and has also kept a log of all major work carried out during his 26-year ownership, which comes to just shy of £97,000. Also present is an original car jack and lead hammer, and a tool kit bag.

This Ferrari 512 BB is a very rare classic supercar, as one of just 101 right-hand drive examples built, and is offered directly from its enthusiast owner of 26 years. It is not a concours contender, but is a presentable and usable example of a 1970s performance icon, which is still fresh from a full cambelt service earlier this year. This car is a great basis for some sympathetic refurbishment, but is ready to drive and enjoy.

Please note: As part of the handover to the next owner, the vendor plans to refit the original miles-per-hour speedometer back into the car, and furthermore plans to retain the kilometres-per-hour speedometer with the odometer reading for his ownership as a memento of his time with the car. He will provide a written statement confirming the full mileage during his ownership, and photo evidence of the second speedometer after removal, in order to preserve the car’s documented mileage history for the next owner.

Summary of main service history:

  • 28/09/1978 - ~600 miles
  • 24/01/1979 - ~1,000 miles
  • 30/04/1979 - ~2,000 miles
  • 19/09/1979 - ~6,000 miles
  • Undated c.1980/81 - ~10,000 miles
  • 17/10/1983 - 19,352 miles
  • 16/11/1984 - 22,652 miles
  • 25/01/1990 - 25,998 miles
  • 11/07/1994 - 29,925 miles
  • 02/06/1997 - ~12,000 km (inc. cambelts)
  • 23/07/2001 - 17,061 km (inc. cambelts)
  • 15/09/2006 - ~23,000 km (inc. cambelts)
  • 07/2008 - 09/2009 - Overhaul at DK Engineering
  • 11/2011 - 08/2012 - Engine rebuild
  • 15/05/2016 - ~37,082 km (shock absorbers)
  • 19/08/2016 - ~39,650 km (full service and attention to brakes)
  • 28/05/2018 - ~39,800 km (attention to bodywork and starter motor)
  • 15/09/2020 - 40,700 km (inc. cambelts)

The description of this auction lot is, to the best of the seller's knowledge, accurate and not misleading. Collecting Cars requests a range of detail about the lot from the seller, and performs a level of due diligence through HPI checks and MOT history. However, bidders must satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of the description, and conduct any research they feel is necessary before committing to a bid. Please see our Terms and Conditions for full details.

All UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Collecting Cars are run through an online HPI check. This vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and has no finance owing.

Car Overview

  • 40,700 km (indicated) / 55,215 miles (total)
  • manual
  • RHD
  • Rosso Corsa
  • Beige leather
  • 4.9L flat-12


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Lot Overview

  • Lot #01545
  • private Sale
  • London, United Kingdom

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