The 1979 Ferrari 512 BB/LM stands as a ferocious reminder of Maranello’s brief but brilliant return to sports car competition during the late seventies. While Ferrari had pivoted its factory focus toward Formula 1, the demand from preferred clientele and privateer teams led to the birth of this ultimate Berlinetta Boxer variant. This specific chassis, number 29507, is the seventh of only 25 examples ever constructed. It is an exceptionally well-preserved specimen that has avoided the typical battle scars of period racing, making it one of the most original and documented competition Ferraris available on the global market today.
Wind-Tunnel Formed Silhouette Bodywork
The exterior of this competition beast features the “Series II” bodywork, famously developed by Pininfarina in a wind tunnel to optimize aerodynamic efficiency at Le Mans speeds. Known as the “Silhouette,” the design incorporates a massive chin spoiler, plexiglass windows, and a towering rear wing derived directly from Ferrari’s 312 Formula 1 program. To meet the grueling demands of endurance racing, the car was lightened to just 2,370 lbs / 1,075 kg using thin-gauge materials and composite panels. Following a comprehensive restoration by Ferrari Classiche between 2008 and 2014, the coachwork has been refinished to a concours standard that highlights its aggressive, wide-tire stance and functional cooling ducts.
A Purist Competition Cockpit
Inside the cabin, the environment is strictly tailored for high-speed endurance, stripped of all road-going luxuries to prioritize weight savings and driver safety. The interior remains faithful to its 1979 specifications, housing the essential instrumentation required for 200-mph stints on the Mulsanne Straight. A specialized road case accompanies the vehicle, containing spares and support equipment reflective of its professional racing pedigree. Having spent much of its life in the collections of notable marque enthusiasts like Albert Obrist and Jon Masterson, the cockpit shows a level of preservation rarely seen in vehicles designed for the violence of the track.
Twelve-Cylinder Fury and Lucas Fuel Injection
The heart of this machine is a matching-numbers 5.0-liter flat-12 engine, which was evolved from the 512 BB road car to include a dry-sump lubrication system and Lucas mechanical fuel injection. These competition modifications allow the engine to produce a factory-rated 480 hp / 487 PS and an estimated 350 lb-ft / 475 Nm of torque. This immense power is sent to the rear wheels via a strengthened five-speed transaxle specifically developed to endure the torque loads that plagued earlier BB/LM prototypes. The suspension was radically revised with heavy-duty components and wider rear tracks, resulting in a visceral driving experience that combines high-revving theater with mechanical precision.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Engine | 5.0L Flat-12 w/ Lucas Injection |
| Transmission | 5-Speed Manual Transaxle |
| Weight | 2,370 lbs / 1,075 kg |
| Certification | Ferrari Classiche Red Book |
| Top Speed | 190 mph / 305 km/h (Factory Benchmark) |
| Production | 7th of 25 Examples |
The Apex of Late-Seventies Racing Investment
The 1979 Ferrari 512 BB/LM occupies a unique niche, bridging the gap between the legendary vintage prototypes and the modern GT racers. While it shares the auction stage with icons like the Porsche 935, the Ferrari offers a level of exclusivity and “Red Book” documentation that is difficult to rival. As a member of the elite “Silhouette” group, its value is driven by both its rarity and its eligibility for premier historic racing events like the Le Mans Classic and the Monterey Motorsports Reunion. For collectors, the combination of a matching-numbers engine, gearbox, and coachwork makes chassis 29507 a blue-chip asset with immense appreciation potential.
Unrivaled Provenance and Classiche Certification
Acquiring this Ferrari means taking ownership of a vehicle that has been vetted and authenticated by the highest authority in the marque’s history. The Ferrari Classiche Red Book issued in 2010 confirms that the original mechanical stampings are present, a rarity for a vehicle of this type. Having been featured in Autoweek as early as 1981 and displayed at the Petersen Automotive Museum, its public record is as flawless as its mechanical condition. With fresh timing belts and fuel tanks recently installed, this 512 BB/LM is ready to return to the circuit or anchor a world-class collection as a monument to Ferrari’s endurance racing tenacity.
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Source: rmsothebys.com
