Vehicle Description
Chassis No. 27061
Engine No. 00388
The Ferrari 512 Berlinetta Boxer represented a significant
evolution of Ferrari's mid-engine supercar formula, building upon
the foundation laid by the 365 GT4 BB. Engine displacement grew to
4,942 cc, and as a result, Ferrari opted to abandon its traditional
practice of naming models after their cylinder capacity in favor of
a Dino-type nomenclature where 512 referred to the car's 5.0-liter,
12-cylinder engine. Dry sump lubrication now prevented oil
starvation under hard cornering, while a new dual plate clutch
reduced pedal effort for a more livable overall driving
experience.
Road & Track magazine's comprehensive road test revealed their
clear preference for the Ferrari over its primary Italian rival,
finding the 512 BB superior to the Lamborghini Countach in
virtually every meaningful category. Their final verdict was
emphatic: "The Boxer has it all, the speed, the handling, the
lovely shape, the well adorned cockpit and, most important of all,
a reputation for reliability." This assessment positioned the 512
BB not just as a formidable supercar, but as the most complete
exotic car of its era.
This fine Boxer, chassis number 27061, was one of just 929 512 BBs
to leave Maranello, completed in 1979. It was finished in a Nero
(Black) exterior, originally complemented by a Sabbia (Sand)
Connolly leather interior. Upon completion, it was delivered new in
Italy, and like many Italian exotics of the '60s and '70s, was
destined to find its way to America despite not being offered in
the U.S. market. A plaque mounted on the driver's-side door jamb
indicates that the car was federalized by Amerispec Corp. in May
1979.
By 2001, chassis 27061 had found its way to vintage Ferrari dealer
Tom Shaughnessy who had acquired it through Ferrari of Washington.
Shaughnessy engaged Charles "Chuck" Wray of Grand Touring
Enterprises in Loudoun County, Virginia, to collect the car and
arrange transport to his facility in San Clemente, California. Upon
seeing this exceptional example, Chuck immediately recognized its
potential and inquired about purchasing it. The car was reportedly
a solid, low-mileage example that had sat unused for several years
and was in need of a restoration.
Wray subsequently purchased the Boxer and Grand Touring completed a
comprehensive ground-up restoration that encompassed fully
disassembling the car to a bare shell, removing the engine,
suspension, and interior. A complete engine-out service was
performed with the replacement of all belts, hoses, and a valve
adjustment, with reassembly to show-quality standards. The gearbox
was resealed and refinished, while the body was stripped to bare
metal and refinished to the highest standard in its original Nero
specification. The interior was completely restored in-house using
materials sourced from Lupi SAS in Italy, and both front and rear
suspensions were fully overhauled. No shortcuts were taken with
regard to detail or quality, as the project was completed by Grand
Touring for Chuck's father, Charlie Wray.
The quality of the restoration was validated when the car earned
the Best Ferrari award at the Coppa Bella Machina Ferrari Club of
America event at Sky Top, Pennsylvania, in 2009. The following
year, it captured the Pininfarina Closed Car Award at the Radnor
Hunt Concours d'Elegance in Pennsylvania. The highlight of the
Boxer's concours appearances came at the Palm Beach Cavallino
Classic XIX in 2010 where it received a second-place Gold award,
with the only deduction being for its non-original exhaust system.
Following these appearances, the car remained within the same
family collection until 2020, when it was sold to the current owner
and friend of the Wrays. At the time of this ownership transfer, a
complete mechanical service was performed once again at Grand
Touring that included a timing belt replacement, valve adjustment,
distributor service, replacement of all fluids and filters,
installation of four period-correct Michelin XWX tires, a
four-wheel alignment, and carburetor adjustment to ensure the car
was current on all maintenance requirements.
Since entering the current ownership, this 512 BB has been actively
enjoyed on several long-distance touring events and rallies. These
included a memorable journey from Maryland to the Formula One
Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal with the Ferrari club, as well as
participation in the challenging five-day Going to the Sun Rally in
Montana. These demanding drives have proven both the reliability of
Chuck Wray's mechanical restoration work and the very grand touring
qualities of the 512 BB praised by Road & Track.
Today, this 512 BB offers the increasingly uncommon combination of
show-quality presentation and proven road-worthiness. The dramatic
black-on-black color scheme enhances the car's already striking
Pininfarina-penned wedge silhouette, while the comprehensive
restoration and subsequent mechanical refresh ensure this is a
Boxer ready for continued enjoyment at FCA events or any number of
road rallies.
