Ferrari built upon the success of the 365 GT4 Berlinetta Boxer beginning in late 1976 with the introduction of the 512 BB. The name reverted to Ferrari’s more typical liters/cylinders nomenclature; the new 512 featured a small chin spoiler in front, exposed driving lights, rectangular rear parking lights, NACA ducts on the lower body sides ahead of the rear wheels, four taillights (in lieu of six), and a tail 1½-in. longer. It offered the advanced and reliable Bosch K-Jetronic fuel-injection system for the first time in a 12-cylinder Ferrari, hence the “i” in its nomenclature.

For the Ferrari faithful, the addition of the fuel injection was a welcome change, and the 512 BBi is generally considered to be the most civilized of Ferrari’s Berlinetta Boxers. The change from carburetors to fuel injection brought about an increase of 20 foot-pounds of torque, helping the engine to feel much more tractable overall. Performance remained extraordinary, and the 512 BBi could reach 60 mph from a dead start in just 5.4 seconds, leading to an estimable top speed of 174 mph. By the time production came to an end and the 512 BBi was replaced with the Testarossa, Ferrari had built just 1,007 examples.

The 512 BBi offered here was finished in the unusual, beautiful, and very rare livery of Grigio Scuro over Rosso Bordeaux seats with black piping, a welcome change of pace from the sea of commonly available red examples. Built with left-hand drive and to European specification, it was completed in June of 1984. Soon thereafter it was imported to the U.S. by Shelton Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and subsequently converted to U.S. specifications, including the addition of side marker lights, and federalized for American roads. It was then sold to the original owner, Ronald J. Martin of Miami.

The current owner acquired the car in 1988, and it has been preserved in his private collection since. It remains largely original and in a thoroughly remarkable state of preservation, noting only 6,202 miles at the time of cataloguing. The paint and interior are both utterly beautiful, and even the dashboard instruments and switchgear are still in nearly perfect condition. The finishes under the hood and of the chassis are both clean and original, with only minor road dust visible. The car is accompanied by an original tool roll as well as owner’s manuals in their respective folio.

The enthusiast seeking a 512 BBi that truly stands out from the rest need look no further than this superb example, one of the most attractive to be offered in many years.