Ferrari 512 BBi

Ever wondered why pearls are typically white? This original Dutch-delivered (!) pearl in the form of a Bianco Ferrari 512 BBi will never go unnoticed. Its pristine white paint ensures that this iconic classic stands out even on unlit Italian backroads—not to mention the thunderous roar of its “Flat 12” engine. The former owner can vouch for that! He entrusted its maintenance to the renowned specialists at Kroymans. In the meantime, he took the 512 BBi on a 3,500 km road trip with friends in its native Italy—a historic adventure, no doubt! And if it’s up to us, you’ll relive that experience soon… giving you the perfect opportunity to test the fresh TRX tires. The original license plate is still intact, and the official Ferrari Classiche certificate is included to verify its impeccable provenance. We wish you a lifetime of drives without needing the toolkit—though it’s included for completeness.

History
While Porsche stuck firmly to tradition with the 911, Ferrari boldly broke away from its own conventions. Evolution versus revolution: the Berlinetta Boxer—known simply as the BB—debuted in 1973 as the successor to the legendary 365 GTB/4 Daytona. But rather than building on the success of that beautiful coupé, Maranello was inspired by the triumphs of Formula 1. Everything changed—from concept to design, from seating to engine placement. Most notably, Ferrari recognized that positioning the engine behind the seats was key to maintaining dominance in motorsport’s premier class. Besides competing on the track, Ferrari aimed to rival its eternal competitor off the track: Ferruccio Lamborghini, who showcased his prowess with the Miura and Countach.
Our Ferrari 512 BBi, the final evolution of the original 365 GT4 BB and its successor, the 512 BB (which lacked the Bosch K-Jetronic CIS fuel injection), embodies that spirit of innovation. With only 1,007 units produced, the BBi is among the most successful BB variants, yet it remains exceedingly rare. This particular example stands out even further: originally delivered in the Netherlands, meticulously maintained by an official Ferrari dealer (Kroymans), and boasting a history as clear and pristine as its paintwork. The original toolkit and certification of authenticity underline the unique character of this exotic classic. True fans and collectors, prepare to be tempted!

Exterior
Ferruccio Lamborghini and Enzo Ferrari kept each other sharp in the design of their masterpieces, not just in performance. The Ferrari Berlinetta Boxer diverged dramatically from its predecessor’s styling. While the pointed nose bore some resemblance to the Daytona, it was even sharper on the BB. With the engine relocated ahead of the rear axle, top designer Leonardo Fioravanti—then at Pininfarina—was free to craft a body unlike any previous Ferrari. The Berlinetta Boxer became the foundation for an entirely new range of models. Typical of the BB is its slim silhouette, which appeared even sleeker thanks to the two-tone color scheme with black lower-body sections on early models.
The 512 BBi set itself apart by featuring body-colored bumpers and side skirts. This makes the virgin-white paint on this example even more striking. What a beauty! Characteristic BB features include the pop-up headlights situated behind fixed units with prominent orange glass. Since the 512, aviation-inspired air ducts in front of the rear wheels became standard, while the number of exhaust pipes and taillights decreased to two per side instead of three. Fresh TRX tires now wrap around the famous star-design wheels—a notable achievement given the difficulty of sourcing these specific tires. And what’s a Berlinetta Boxer without the iconic twin “humps” on the rear engine cover? This feature ensures the hood is far from “flat”—unlike the 12-cylinder beneath it.

Interior
The Ferrari 512 BBi compensates for its exterior’s minimal black contrasts with a richly appointed Nero leather interior. Seats, dashboard, instrument panel, and center console are all clad in Nero. Even the floor, door panels, and aluminum spokes of the Nero leather Moto-Lita steering wheel follow this dark theme. Bright orange markings on the analog dials and meters, along with the distinctive toggle switches and sliders for ventilation controls, perfectly capture the era in which the Berlinetta Boxer made its mark. The original Kenwood sound system to the left of the steering wheel exudes seventies flair, while the later-added Ferrari cassette player and Pioneer speakers offer extra onboard audio. But for audiophiles, the orchestra behind the seats is more than sufficient.

Engineering & Performance
The upgrade from the 365 to the 512 significantly increased the displacement of Ferrari’s Flat 12 engine, from 4.4 to nearly 5.0 liters. Though technically not a true boxer engine, the 12-cylinder positioned at a 180-degree angle is just as thrilling, delivering an impressive 360 horsepower. The “i” in 512 BBi denotes the addition of Bosch K-Jetronic CIS fuel injection to this flat Ferrari powerhouse. Power is sent to the rear axle through a 5-speed manual gearbox, putting serious pressure on the tires. Since the 512i, Ferrari has equipped these models with special Michelin TRX tires, now infamous for their long lead times. Fortunately, this example has already been fitted with new ones. After all, what is power without grip?

Kind regards,
Team Prins