In Ohio, a car detailing team got their hands on what many consider a collector's dream: a Ferrari 512 BB abandoned for almost three decades. Covered in dust, moss and even bird droppings, this Pininfarina work of art had not been moved for 28 years. But thanks to WD Detailing, it is now ready to write a new chapter in its history.
A Ferrari forgotten since 1987
The story begins in a hay-covered garage worthy of the greatest movies. Beneath a layer of dirt and debris lay a 1981 Ferrari 512 BB, powered by the legendary 5.0-liter "Berlinetta Boxer" V12. This Italian sports car, unveiled at the 1976 Paris Motor Show, is a rare model: only 929 were produced between 1976 and 1981, before being replaced by the 512 BBi.
The owner, Mr. Shone, had acquired it at an auction in Georgia in the late '80s, along with a Lamborghini Miura. But family life and other priorities distracted him from his Italian jewel. As a result, the Ferrari has remained locked up in this garage, immobile since 1987.
When they discovered the car, the members of WD Detailing couldn't believe their eyes: the entire bodywork was soiled, the interior was infested with rodent tracks and the leathers were attacked by the passage of time. With the owner and his granddaughter Lily in agreement, they decided to give the car a proper cleaning.
Meticulous restoration work
The process was long and meticulous:
- vacuuming and external washing to remove moss and impurities,
- treatment of the dusty, mouse-tracked interior,
- leather cleaning and protection,
- washing the engine compartment,
- polishing of the original red (unvarnished paint).
On arrival, the car regains its brilliant shine. Details such as the Ferrari-stamped tool case and spare wheel are brought back to life. The overall impression is one of rebirth, even if a complete mechanical overhaul remains to be carried out.
A forgotten treasure worth hundreds of thousands of euros
Beyond this thorough cleaning, the value of this Italian coupé is equally impressive. Today, a Ferrari 512 BB sells for an average of between €250,000 and €300,000. This one, despite its years of neglect, could be worth around €300,000 after restoration.
When the owner and his family rediscover the cleaned Ferrari, the emotion is palpable. "It's shinier than I remember," confides Mr. Shone, his eyes shining. For him, the work doesn't stop there: he now intends to entrust the car to a mechanic to revive its 355-hp V12 and rediscover the unique driving sensations offered by a Ferrari from the 80s.
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First of all, BB doesn't stand for Berlinetta Boxer, but for Berlinetta Balbiero, named after its engine designer, and Ferrari never made flat engines, but 180-degree V12s.
Hi Scudric, the information comes from the Ferrari website so it is indeed Berlinetta Boxer (unless it's an error on their website), I quote "The "BB" part retains the same meaning, namely "Berlinetta Boxer", a reference to the two rows of opposing flat six cylinders.".
Alas, this is a mistake that has persisted for decades (not from you, but from journalists for a long time). At the time, it even annoyed Enzo because the 180-degree V12 doesn't work at all like a boxer. Go to Wikipedia to see the difference, it's enormous. Even Porche recently used the 180-degree V4 in competition, which is less restrictive when coupled with the hybrid.
alas, that's what it says on the official Ferrari website. I agree about the flat engine, but hey ^^.
On the official Ferrari website, for years they'd been saying that the Testarossa, 512TR and M had a flat, when in fact they didn't. So what do you expect, people don't ask around or reread what they've written, and that's how urban legends are born, just like the one about the name Daytona instead of 365 GTS/4 in 1973, even though Enzo had given up on it, but took great pleasure in mocking journalists by saying that he didn't know this Ferrari sports car.
For the legend :
"In an interview, Mauro Forghieri, who was the Scuderia's chief F1 engineer in the 70s, explains that BB stands for "Berlinetta Bialbero", in other words "Berlinetta with double camshafts". For him, the B for Boxer is an interpretation by journalists. He adds: "But there's nothing we can do about it, people keep calling it Boxer. It's assimilated, there's nothing to be done about it. No matter how many times I say it, it doesn't help. Maybe they don't even believe me!"
Fioraventi (chief designer at Pininfarina): "We called it BB because at the time, like all designers of my era, I was in love with Brigitte Bardot, but officially Berlinetta Boxer was chosen because it was more acceptable".