For Sale: 1984 Ferrari 512 BBI in Costa Mesa, California

1984 Ferrari 512BBi

Having re-asserted itself at the top of the supercar hierarchy with the first 'Boxer' - the 365GTB/4 BB - Ferrari went one better with its successor, the 512BB. The increase in engine size to 5.0 liters (from the original Boxer's 4.4 liters) was made not so much with increased power in mind but to enable the 512BB to meet increasingly stringent emissions targets without loss of performance.

Changes to Pininfarina's inspired coachwork were, not surprisingly, few: an air-dam spoiler beneath the nose, brake-cooling NACA ducts ahead of the rear wheel arches, four rear lights instead of six and revised air intake boxes, while slightly fatter rear tires meant that the width of the 512's derriere grew by just over 1". The running gear likewise came in for only minor revision, gaining stiffer springs/anti-roll bars and altered damping rates, while the already excellent all-round ventilated disc brakes remained unchanged. Inside, the 512 remained virtually the same as before but for the welcome adoption of multi-way adjustable seats in place of the fixed originals.

In 1981 the model was up-dated with Bosch fuel injection, becoming the 512BBi. Once again, maximum power remained unaffected, but there was more available at lower revs and torque increased still further. "The Boxer has it all, the speed, the handling, the lovely shape, the well done cockpit and, most important of all, a reputation for reliability," enthused Road & Track magazine.

Among the final run of 512BBi's built, this car was shipped from Maranello directly to authorized Ferrari dealership Steven Kessler Motor Cars of New York City on April 3rd, 1984. The Ferrari was homologated to US-spec and approved by the EPA and DOT before being sold to its first owner, Michael Sherman of Brookly, New York, who had ordered this very rare and aggressive color combination of black on black. The second owner of the car was one Robert Hufferman Jr. from Mooresville, North Carolina who kept the Ferrari until 2002 when it found its way to the garage of Ferrari collector Eugene Hammer of Savannah, Georgia on December 16th, 2002. During Hammer's ownership, records show a 15,000 mile major service that included replacing the clutch, repairing air conditioning system, and replacing the brakes was completed on the car with 14,556 miles showing on the odometer. Samuel Ryder of Miami became the next keeper of the black beauty Prancing Horse. While in his care, engine-out service was completed by Tim Stanford including belt servicing. The next owner was Zaire Vere from Dubai, Emirates who imported through Ferrari of Dubai. The 512 was then serviced July 2015 including belts, clutch, new tires, fuel line and battery at a cost of $16,500

Complete with service history from new, this six owners from new Ferrari still has its original selling dealer's service books stamped with the appropriate mechanical work that has been carried out, original books, leather Ferrari pouch, tools, jack, keys, and wheel knock-off spinner hammer. Showing just a touch over 27,000 miles on the clock, it is a very nice example of Ferrari's great flat-12 sports cars. With a rising tide of interest in these cars, they certainly aren't becoming easier to obtain-especially examples as nice as this one.