Having reasserted itself at the top of the supercar hierarchy with the first Berlinetta 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. The increase in engine size from the original Boxer's 4.4 litres was made not so much with increased power in mind but to enable the 512 BB to meet increasingly stringent emissions targets without loss of performance.

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 BB 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.

This example is the very first right-hand drive Ferrari 512 BB produced, and was imported into the UK by Maranello Concessionaires in October 1976. Originally finished in Azzurro Metallizzato (light blue metallic) with a beige Connolly leather interior, the car has been refinished in classic Rosso Corsa, a colour much more in keeping with both its looks and its parentage.

Having exhibited the new Ferrari at the London Motor Show in October 1976, Maranello Concessionaires immediately sold it to Maranello Sales for use as a demonstrator. Ferrari's latest supercar naturally created considerable press interest, being road tested by several magazines and appearing on the front cover of the 9th April 1977 issue of Autocar. Its press duties completed, the car was sold by Maranello Sales in September 1977 to Robert Cooper, then of Coopers Publicity Services.

The Boxer was subsequently owned by John Woodfield, proprietor of Emblem Sports Cars, a successful Ferrari dealer in Blandford Forum, Dorset, who used the car for many years before selling it. Mr Woodfield, a Ferrari 512 enthusiast and admirer of Koenig Specials modifications, fitted wider wheels to Lamborghini Countach specification, as well as a Koenig Specials rear clamshell with wider flared wheelarches.

Bonhams will be offering this stunning 1976 Ferrari 512 BB at their upcoming Bond Street Sale held on the 7th December.

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