To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVE at RM Sothebys' Amelia
Island event, 8 - 9 March 2019.
Estimate:
$275,000 - $325,000
- Less than 19,000 km showing
- Originally imported by noted collector William Lyon
- Presented in the iconic shade of Rosso Corsa
- One of only 1,007 produced from 1981 to 1984
Introduced to the public at the 1981 Frankfurt Salon, the new 512
BBi offered the advanced and reliable Bosch K-Jetronic
fuel-injection system for the first time in a 12-cylinder Ferrari,
hence the "i" in its nomenclature. A handful of cosmetic upgrades
accompanied the new model. Exposed driving lights were added at the
front, and rectangular parking lights were fitted adjacent to the
exhausts at the rear. For the Ferrari faithful, the addition of the
fuel injection was a welcome change, and the 512 BBi is generally
considered to be the most civilized of Ferrari's Berlinetta
Boxers.
The change from carburetors to fuel injection brought about an
increase of 20 foot-pounds of torque, helping the engine to feel
much more tractable overall. Performance remained extraordinary,
and the 512 BBi could reach 60 mph from a dead start in just 5.4
seconds; furthermore, it was capable of a top speed of 173 mph. It
was the "flagship" Ferrari while in production and easily lived up
to the "supercar" requirements of the era. Production of the 512
BBi came to an end in 1984, with Ferrari having completed just
1,007 examples. It was replaced in the model lineup by the equally
ground-breaking Testarossa.
This exceptional 512 BBi, finished in the desirable shade of Rosso
Corsa, was first imported into the U.S. by noted collector William
Lyon in July 1983. It was then acquired by Michael Jean of Denver,
Colorado, in 1985. Shortly thereafter, he sold the car to another
gentleman in Colorado, noting that the BBi had only 2,700 miles at
the time. In 1987, with less than 3,000 miles, the car was acquired
by Karl Dedolph of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Dedolph maintained the
car for the next five years when he offered it for sale in 1992.
Eight years later, the Ferrari was offered once more where it was
bought by Richard Scott of Sidney, Ohio. At the time, it was noted
that the odometer had been replaced. Several years later, the 512
BBi was acquired by collector Robert Iannucci, who maintained it
until 2011, when he sold it to Frank Gallogly of Lakeville,
Connecticut. It was purchased in 2012 by William Heinecke who
enjoyed the car until early 2017, when it was purchased by the
consignor.
Today, the car presents exceptionally well and remains highly
original throughout, showing less than 19,000 km (under 12,000
miles). In 2017, the 512 BBi was refreshed both cosmetically and
mechanically, and it is accompanied by over $20,000 in receipts
with a breakdown of the completed work. The BBi retains its
original owner's manuals in their original pouch, as well as the
original jack in its bag.
Ferrari knew that craftsmanship, engineering, and design counted
for more than anything else. At the time of 512 BBi production, the
future was poised for robots to take over from the hands-on
approach. Sergio Scaglietti, whose firm made the bodies, noted, "It
was something special. It was the last car where we made everything
by hand." We could not agree more.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction,
please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/am19.
