Description
This car is Lot 107 to be auctioned by Bonhams|Cars at The Goodwood Auction on Saturday September 13th, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Public Viewing:
Available Friday September 12 from 09:00 until 17:00, Saturday September 13 from 09:00 at The Goodwood Revival.
Lot 107
1983 Ferrari 512 BBi Koenig Coupé
Registration no. not UK registered
Chassis no. ZFFJA09Bthe details below
Delivered new in Germany
Koenig body kit
UK resident since 2015 (taxes paid)
Standing unused for 10 years
Requires recommissioning
Having reasserted itself at the top of the supercar hierarchy with the first 'Boxer' - the 365 GTB/ 4 BB - Ferrari went one better with its successor, the 512 BB. For the new Boxer, Ferrari abandoned its long-standing practice of denoting a model by the capacity of an individual cylinder and adopted the Dino-type nomenclature where '512' indicates 5 litres/ 12 cylinders. Displacement was increased by enlarging both bore and stroke, while in addition the compression ratio was raised and dry-sump lubrication adopted. The result of all these changes was a useful increase in torque which, coupled with revised gear ratios, made the 512 more tractable.
Changes to Pininfarina's inspired coachwork were, not surprisingly, few. The running gear likewise came in for only minor revision while the already excellent all-round ventilated disc brakes remained unchanged. Inside, the 512 remained virtually the same as before but for the welcome adoption of multi-way adjustable seats in place of the fixed originals. Road & Track magazine had achieved a speed of 175mph (280km/ h) in the preceding 365 GT/ 4 BB, and although lack of road space prevented the discovery of their test 512's capability, Ferrari's claimed maximum of 188mph (302km/ h) was felt entirely realistic.
In 1982 the model was updated with Bosch fuel injection, becoming the 512 BBi. Once again, maximum power remained unchanged but there was more available at lower revs and torque increased still further. Possessing an engine directly related to Ferrari's contemporary Formula 1 unit, as well as being both lighter and faster than the legendary Daytona, the 512 BBi was one of the most capable and exciting supercars of its era and is still capable of providing all the thrills that an enthusiastic owner-driver could wish for.
Delivered new to Auto Becker GmbH in Germany in 1983, the Ferrari 512 BBi offered here has been tuned and extensively modified by former racing driver Willy Koenig, winner of the 1962 German Mountain Championship at the wheel of a 250 GT SWB, whose company - Koenig Specials - specialises in supplying performance enhancing parts for the Italian manufacturer's products. Koenig's package of upgrades for the BBi was a great success, some 20-30 cars (according to Walter Koenig, Willy Koenig's son) being built by the factory. These cars were modified by Koenig, with different pistons, camshaft and exhaust system, the uprated 512 BBi motor produced as much as 450bhp, up from the stock 340 horsepower. The Ferrari was later resident in USA where it was owned by a Mr Gerardo Lombardi of Wading River, New York State. When acquired by the current owner, it was believed to be one of only five examples in the UK at that time. For the last 10 years the Ferrari has been laid up in a heated garage and will require recommissioning. The current odometer reading is a little over 24, 000 miles. No attempt has been made to start the car, but all electrical systems operate, and the pop-up headlights actuators are in working order.
Koenig is no longer in the performance conversion business, though it still manufactures parts and accessories for Ferraris, so this 512 BBi represents a rare opportunity to acquire one of its legendary supercars. The Ferrari is offered with a New York State title; Gullwing Motorcars invoice; confirmation of UK taxes paid; and correspondence with Koenig concerning the availability of some spare parts.
All lots are sold 'as is/ where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding. Visit the Bonhams|Cars website for all pertinent auction information.
