A radical change in direction from Ferrari’s highly successful 365 GTB/4 Daytona, the stunning 365 GT4/BB was introduced at the 1971 Turin Motor Show in an effort to compete directly with the Lamborghini Miura and Maserati Bora. Entirely new in every regard, the new model featured a sensuous Pininfarina design, a hand-built body by Scaglietti. Most importantly, the car was fitted with a mid-engined 12-cylinder horizontally-opposed engine, hence the car’s designation, “Berlinetta Boxer”.

An updated Berlinetta Boxer with a new 5.0-liter horizontally-opposed12-cylinder was introduced in 1976 as the 512 BB and this successful platform was further developed as the 512 BBi in 1981. The major difference between the 512 BB and 512 BBi was the replacement of carburetors with fuel injection, hence the “i” designation. This update over carburetors made the car much more user-friendly and easier to maintain. According to period tests, it was capable of incredible performance, with 0- to 60-mph achieved in just 5.4 seconds, and a top speed of over 175 miles per hour. Ferrari built just 1,007 examples by the time production concluded in 1984.

Believed to have been owned by just two individuals from new, this particular 1984 Ferrari 512 BBi is a highly original and extremely low mileage example benefiting from a lifetime of careful ownership. Noted as sold to Leon Cornell of Each Greenwich, Rhode Island in the 1980’s, it was later acquired by an individual on Long Island in the early 1990’s, where it has remained ever since. The second owner reports that the 3,600 miles shown on the odometer are indeed original—a claim supported by historical documentation on file, as well as the spectacular condition of the car overall. Presented in its original color combination of Rossa Corsa over Nero interior, it remains incredibly well preserved thanks to careful storage and regular maintenance.

Only recently acquired from two decades of private ownership, this 512 BBi had received a major service in June of 2013 by the Ferrari specialists at Berlinetta Racing Cars of East Meadow, NY. With receipts totaling to over $31,000, this was a complete engine-out service which included replacement of the timing belts, the installation of a new clutch, new brake calipers and brake hoses. The car has also recently received a comprehensive $3,000 detail, which has brought this spectacular 512 BBi into a league of its own. The car has been submitted for Ferrari Classiche Certification, and is being sold with a complete set of books, tools, and its original spare wheel and tire.

Seeing increased desirability by collectors in the past few years, finding a well maintained and highly original 512 BBi can be an arduous task. The example presented here certainly checks all the right boxes and stands proud as one of the finest low-mileage driving examples in existence.