Ferrari 512 BBi 1984, Itália
Fotografia
In 1981, Ferrari added fuel injection to the 4.9-liter, horizontally opposed 12-cylinder engine that powered the Berlinetta Boxer, resulting in the most advanced—and newly renamed—512 BBi. Just 1,007 examples were made through the end of the model’s production run in 1984; toward the end, the manufacturer eased the process of bringing cars to the United States by arranging for direct deliveries in Europe that would then segue to federalization by an approved modifier in America. Examples from the final year of production are particularly sought after, as Ferrari only produced approximately 144 cars in total.
This final-year example, chassis 47191, is finished in traditional Rosso Corsa over Nero leather. An accompanying declaration from the NHTSA indicates that this 512 BBi was imported to the United States on 19 September, 1983, seemingly when new, and released for domestic registration on 19 January 1984.
The car was then sold soon thereafter to its first owner of record, a Dr. Daniel Marciano of Rye, New York, reportedly via Bob Sharp Motors in Wilton, Connecticut. Invoices from Dr. Marciano’s custodianship indicate that he sold 47191 in 1990 with approximately 10,500 kilometers (~6,500 miles) indicated. Marciano reportedly sold 47191 back to Sharp; it was then purchased from him by its next owner, who exported it to his residence in Switzerland.
Over the next twelve years residing in that Swiss collection, 47191 received regular attention from specialists at Zurich’s renowned Garage Foitek, and also Garage Gautschi of Windisch. In late 2002, 47191 moved to the stable of a noted Canadian collector, from whom the consignor acquired it in early 2004.
Accompanying maintenance documentation provide a portrait of fastidious care furnished over the past 16 years by the consignor. Any additional invoices from its previous North American and Swiss owners notwithstanding, records indicate over $90,000 USD worth of line items executed between 2004 and 2018. All work orders on record were completed by certified Ferrari specialists at Bentley of St. Louis, Missouri or Motion Products, Inc (MPI) of Neenah, Wisconsin.
Upon receipt of 47191, the consignor’s newest acquisition apparently did not meet his exceedingly high standard for presentation or performance, and so he immediately commissioned over $10,000 worth of repairs and reconditioning services from Bentley of St. Louis. Since 2014, the consignor has relied on MPI to execute a range of mechanical and cosmetic work, including a new pair of factory-spec seats, vacuum pump, distributor, spark plugs, accumulator, injectors, headers, exhaust, and clutch rebuild. An engine-out servicing completed in 2018 also provided 47191 with new valve springs and guides, cam belts, cap studs, refinished valve covers, and also a new water pump and vacuum lines—a small but notable sampling of the items provided. Further, this 512 BBi received a full cosmetic detailing in preparation for sale, executed locally by Hyman Motor Cars of St. Louis, Missouri.
