Ferrari 512 BBi 1983 - World Of Classic Cars -

Ferrari 512 BBi 1983

Introduced to the public at the 1981 Frankfurt Salon, Ferrari’s new 512 BBi 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. A handful of cosmetic upgrades accompanied the new model. Exposed driving lights were added at the front, and rectangular parking lights were fitted adjacent to the exhausts at the rear. 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 livable of Ferrari’s Berlinetta Boxer models.

Ferrari 512 BBi 1983

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.
Originally finished in its current color combination of Nero (Black) over a matching Nero leather interior, chassis number 45405 was imported into the USA shortly after it was built, and it was sold to its first owner, Tom Marron of Bellmore, New York, through Steven Kessler Motor Cars of New York City. As of early 1990, the car had been sold from Marron back to Steven Kessler Motor Cars.

Ferrari 512 BBi 1983

By 1993, chassis number 45405 was sold to Bruce Perrone of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Perrone retained the car for only two years, offering it for sale in the Ferrari Market Letter in September of 1995. It is believed that the car remained in the Pittsburgh area until at least 2003. Sometime thereafter, it was acquired by a New York–based collector.