• Collections
  • Auto
    • Ferrari Purosangue
    • 812 GTS
    • 296 GTB
    • 296 GTS
    • SF90 Stradale
    • SF90 Spider
    • F8 Tributo
    • F8 Spider
    • Ferrari Roma
    • Ferrari Portofino M
    • Special Series
      • 812 Competizione
      • 812 Competizione A
    • Icona
      • Daytona SP3
      • Monza SP1
      • Monza SP2
    • Line Up
    • MyFerrari
      • MyFerrari App
      • Sign In
      • Register
      • MyFerrari Connect
      • Owners Club
    • Configurator
    • GT Racing
      • Overview
      • 488 GTE
      • 488 GT3 Evo 2020
      • 488 GT Modificata
      • 488 GT3
      • 488 Challenge Evo
    • Past Models
    • Personalisation
      • Ferrari Tailor Made
      • Ferrari Genuine
    • Car services
    • Officine Classiche
    • Driving Courses
    • Driving Activities
    • Pre-Owned
      • Home
      • Why Approved
      • Models
      • Value your car
    • Dealers
      • Find your dealer
      • Discover the official network
    • Financial Services
  • Racing
    • Formula 1
      • Home
      • F1-75
      • Team
      • News
      • Races
      • Partners
      • Hospitality
      • Media Galleries
      • History
    • Hypercar
      • Home
      • Ferrari 499P
      • Team
      • News
      • Races
      • Media Gallery
    • Ferrari Driver Academy
      • Home
      • Mission
      • Drivers
      • Media Galleries
      • News
    • Ferrari Esports
      • Home
      • Scuderia Ferrari Esports Team
      • Ferrari Esports Series
    • Competizioni GT
      • Home
      • News
      • About Us
      • GT Series
      • Official Drivers
      • Cars
      • 296 GT3
      • Club Competizioni GT
      • Media Galleries
      • Partners
    • Corse Clienti
      • Home
      • News
      • About Us
      • Calendar
      • Ferrari Challenge
      • XX Programme
      • F1 Clienti
      • Corso Pilota
      • Cars
      • Media galleries
      • Live Streaming
      • Partners
  • Collections
  • Universe
    • News
    • The Official Ferrari Magazine
      • Home
      • Cars
      • Passion
      • Races
      • Subscribe
    • Ferrari Museums
      • Home
      • Ferrari Maranello Museum
      • Enzo Ferrari Modena Museum
      • Factory Tour
      • Personalised Experiences
      • Exclusive Events
      • Tickets and info
    • Ristorante Cavallino
      • Home
      • History
      • Massimo Bottura
      • Menu
      • The Restaurant
      • Contacts
      • Book a table
      • Gift voucher
    • History
    • Ferrari Simulation Center
    • Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
    • Ferrari Land Barcelona
  • Corporate
    • Home
    • About Us
    • Governance
      • Overview
      • Board of Directors
      • Board Committees
      • Shareholders' Meetings
      • Executive Officers
      • Group Regulations
    • Investors
      • Overview
      • Events
      • Results, Reports and Presentations
      • Stock and Shareholders Corner
      • Press Releases and Regulatory Filings
      • Analyst Coverage
      • Bond Info
    • Sustainability
      • Overview
      • Reports
      • Sustainability Strategy
    • Media
      • Press Releases
      • Media gallery
      • Media Centre
    • Career
    At its debut at the Paris Show in 1976, the Ferrari 512 BB was equipped with a 5-litre version of the 12-cylinder boxer.

    Ferrari 512 BB

    At its debut at the Paris Show in 1976, the 512 BB was equipped with a 5-litre version of the 12-cylinder boxer. The new engine proved a great success, giving the same power at lower revs, better torque and a smoother delivery than the earlier version in the 365 GT4 BB. The Pininfarina coachwork differed only slightly from the previous model in certain details which not only made it look even more elegant but also helped improve engine cooling.

    THE HISTORY

    THE HISTORY

    The 512 BB was announced at the 1976 Paris Salon, replacing the 365 GT4/BB, and continued in production until 1981 when it was replaced by the 512 BBi, on which fuel injection replaced the carburettors. A total of 929 examples were produced during this period in the chassis number range 19677 to 38487. The new model title was far less of a mouthful than its predecessor, and broke with standard Ferrari practise of referring to the swept volume of a single cylinder. Instead it continued the theme started with the Dino series, of referring to the total engine capacity and number of cylinders. Hence it meant a 5 litre engine with 12 cylinders. The “BB” part of the model title had the same meaning as before “Berlinetta Boxer”, a reference to the two banks of six cylinders that were in a horizontally opposed layout. The basic principles, shape and features were similar to those of the model that it replaced, but there were small visual differences that differentiated the two cars, whilst under the skin the biggest difference was the increased capacity of the engine.

    Ferrari 512 BB-history-focus

    Visually the differences between the 512 BB and the 365 GT4/BB were mainly around the nose and tail. The lower nose panel now incorporated a chin spoiler, and at the rear the triple tail light assemblies and triple exhaust pipes gave way to large twin circular lenses and paired twin exhaust pipes. The twin tail light arrangement mirrored that shown on the original prototype displayed at the 1971 Turin Salon. The mesh tail panel of the 365 GT4/BB was replaced by a satin black finished horizontally louvred panel, with further changes to the louvre arrangement on the engine lid. The body sides received NACA ducts forward of the rear wheel arches to cool the exhaust system, whilst the rear track was increased from 1520mm to 1563mm.
    The body was mounted on a 2500mm wheelbase chassis, that had factory reference number F 102 BB 100, and all were numbered in the odd chassis number road car sequence. The construction followed the same principles as that of the 365 GT4/BB of a tubular steel chassis frame with a monocoque central cell. Again as with the 365 GT4/BB, the 512 models were available in right or left hand drive form, but no USA market versions were ever made. The standard road wheels were alloy five spoke “star” pattern, with a knock off spinner on a Rudge hub, although legislative requirements in some markets dictated the fitment of a large octagonal hub nut. The wheels covered large ventilated disc brakes with twin hydraulic circuits, and servo assistance. Independent suspension was provided all round, via wishbones, coil springs, and hydraulic shock absorbers, with twin rear units, together with front and rear anti roll bars.

    Ferrari 512 BB - History
    1history

    THE HISTORY

    IMPROVED DRIVEABILITY

    IMPROVED DRIVEABILITY

    The flat twelve cylinder engine was of the same configuration as that fitted in the 365 GT4/BB, but with a cubic capacity of 4943cc, and 82mm x 78mm bore and stroke, with factory type reference F 102 B 000. It featured belt driven twin overhead camshafts per bank, with the basic construction, operating principles and layout of the engine and transmission, apart from the adoption of dry sump lubrication and a hydraulically operated clutch, the same as the 365 GT4/BB. The 512 BB was fitted with four triple choke Weber 40 IF 3C carburettors, with a single distributor, driven off the left rear inlet camshaft and electronic ignition system, to produce a claimed 340 bhp. Although the earlier 365 GT4/BB produced more power than its later relative, the larger engine offered greater torque and improved driveability.
    The Berlinetta Boxer had a competition career from the late seventies into the mid eighties, mainly instigated by the concessionaire for the USA, Luigi Chinetti. Their main hunting ground was the GT category at Le Mans, and from the early lightly modified road cars, he persuaded the factory to develop a racing version, the 512 BB LM, which was built at Ferrari’s Assistenza Clienti in Modena, with radically different bodywork developed in Pininfarina’s wind tunnel. They were built in two small series for private clients, but they were never raced as works team cars. The best results at Le Mans were a win in the IMSA category and fifth overall in 1981, and sixth overall in 1982.


    Ferrari 512 BB-engine-focus
    2engine

    IMPROVED DRIVEABILITY

    3Technical Details
    • V12
      ENGINE
    • 4943.04 cc
      TOTAL DISPLACEMENT
    • 265 kW
      MAXIMUM POWER @ 6800 rpm
    • 302 km/h
      TOP SPEED
    Engine
    • Typerear, longitudinal 180° V12
    • Bore/stroke82 x 78mm
    • Unitary displacement411.92cc
    • Total displacement4943.04cc
    • Compression ratio9.2 : 1
    • Maximum power265 kW (360 hp) at 6800 rpm
    • Power per litre73hp/l
    • Maximum torque-
    • Valve actuationtwin overhead camshafts per bank, two valves per cylinder
    • Fuel feedfour Weber 40 IF3C carburettors
    • Ignitionelectronic, single spark plug per cylinder
    • Lubricationdry sump
    • Clutchtwin-plate
    Chassis
    • Frametubular steel
    • Front suspensionindependent, unequal-length wishbones, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers, anti-roll bar
    • Rear suspensionindependent, unequal-length wishbones, coil springs, twin telescopic shock absorbers each side, anti-roll bar
    • Brakesdiscs
    • Transmission5-speed + reverse
    • Steeringrack-and-pinion
    • Fuel tankcapacity 120litres
    • Front tyres215/70 VR 15
    • Rear tyres225/70 VR 15
    Bodywork
    • Typetwo-seater, berlinetta
    • Length4400mm
    • Width1830mm
    • Height1120mm
    • Wheelbase2500mm
    • Front track1500mm
    • Rear track1563mm
    • Weight1400kg (dry)
    Performance
    • Top speed302km/h
    • Acceleration 0-100 km/h-
    • 0-400 m13.7 sec.
    • 0-1000 m24.0 sec.
    • history
    • engine
    • Technical Details
    SUBSCRIBE TO THE FERRARI NEWSLETTERS
    Auto
    • Ferrari Line Up
    • Ferrari Car Configurator
    • Personalization
    • Services
    • Officine Classiche
    • Ferrari Certified Pre-owned
    • Ferrari Dealer locator
    • MyFerrari App
    • Recall information
    • TechInfo
    • Financial Services
    Scuderia Ferrari
    • F1-75
    • Charles Leclerc
    • Carlos Sainz
    • News
    • Media Galleries
    • Races
    • Scuderia Ferrari History
    • Ferrari Driver Academy
    • Partners
    • Ferrari F1 Club
    • Scuderia Ferrari Member
    • Scuderia Ferrari Club Locator
    Collections
    • Man
    • Woman
    • Kids
    • Ferrari Watches
    • Ferrari Shoes
    • Scuderia Ferrari Replica
    • Ray-Ban Eyewear
    • Ferrari Memorabilia
    • Ferrari Store Locator
    Races
    • Competizioni GT
    • Corse Clienti
    • Ferrari Challenge
    • XX Programme
    • F1 Clienti
    • Corso Pilota
    • Club Competizioni GT
    Universe
    • News
    • The Official Ferrari Magazine
    • Ferrari Museums
    • Ristorante Cavallino
    • History
    • Ferrari Simulation Center
    • Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
    • Ferrari Land Barcelona
    FacebookFacebook
    • Ferrari Official
    • Scuderia Ferrari
    • Ferrari Races
    • FDA
    • Ferrari Esports
    • Ferrari Style
    • Musei Ferrari
    • Ristorante Cavallino
    InstagramInstagram
    • Ferrari Official
    • Scuderia Ferrari
    • Ferrari Races
    • Ferrari Hypercar
    • Ferrari Driver Academy
    • Ferrari Esports
    • Ferrari Style
    • Musei Ferrari
    • Ristorante Cavallino
    LinkedinLinkedin
    • Ferrari Official
    • Scuderia Ferrari
    Tik TokTik Tok
    • Ferrari
    TwitchTwitch
    • Ferrari Esports
    TwitterTwitter
    • Ferrari Official
    • Scuderia Ferrari
    • Ferrari Races
    • Ferrari Hypercar
    • Ferrari Driver Academy
    • Ferrari Esports
    • Ferrari Style
    • Musei Ferrari
    YouTubeYouTube
    • Ferrari Official
    Ferrari
    Ferrari N.V. - Holding company - A company under Dutch law, having its official seat in Amsterdam, the Netherlands and its corporate address at Via Abetone Inferiore No. 4, I-41053 Maranello (MO), Italy, registered with the Dutch trade register under number 64060977

    Ferrari S.p.A. - A company under Italian law, having its registered office at Via Emilia Est No. 1163, Modena, Italy, Companies’ Register of Modena, VAT and Tax number 00159560366 and share capital of Euro 20,260,000

    Copyright 2023 - All rights reserved
    • Legal
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Submit your privacy request
    • Contacts
    • Media Centre
    • Career
    • Corporate ENG
    • Corporate ITA
    • Responsible Disclosure
    International
    Logo partner