Engine No. F110A00211
Transmission No. F102CB00197

With the passing, earlier this year, of Brigitte Bardot, the French screen icon of the 1950s and 1960s, memories return of a figure who came to symbolize beauty, freedom, and the spirit of an era. Long said—even by the factory itself—to have inspired the famous BB initials, Bardot remains linked, at least in legend, to one of Ferrari's most memorable road cars. Whatever the true origin, the Berlinetta Boxer endures as one of the marque's most iconic and usable twelve-cylinder models.

The story began in 1971 with the 365 GT4 BB, developed as Ferrari's answer to the challenge posed by Lamborghini and the Miura, with its rear-mounted V12 engine. Though commonly understood to mean Berlinetta Boxer, the name was never fully accurate from a technical standpoint, as the car was powered by a mid-mounted flat-12 rather than a true boxer engine. Even so, the layout drew on Ferrari's Formula One experience and gave the BB its low, dramatic shape and exceptional road presence.

In 1976, with the American market in mind, Ferrari introduced the 512 BB, enlarging displacement to five liters. The final evolution followed in 1981 with the 512 BBi, the suffix denoting Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection. Only 1,007 units of the 512 BBi were produced between 1981 and 1984, and this final fuel-injected series is considered to be the most livable Berlinetta Boxer with reclining seats, headrests, dual electric mirrors, air conditioning, power windows, and a stereo/graphic equalizer all being standard equipment.

Delivered new on 18 June 1982, in Bavaria by Auto-König, through Autoexpo in Bolzano, Italy, this 512 BBi was specified in red Rosso Corsa with a black Nero leather interior and fitted with light-alloy Campagnolo wheels. Just a few months later, it was acquired by its second owner, who would carefully preserve the car until 2006, remaining in Bavaria throughout that period.

From this long-term ownership, the car retains an impressive history file, including tax documentation, a 1989 appraisal demonstrating that it was already recognized for its collectible qualities nearly forty years ago, a 1999 restoration invoice documenting a complete engine disassembly, and records showing the fuel-injection system restored by Koller in 2001. The file contains a series of TÜV inspections recording the car's modest mileage increases over the years, fully supported by its original factory documentation preserved in its pouch, including the stamped service book. The latter records maintenance carried out by Schuster Automobile in November 1982, as well as in 1988, 1994, and 1999, when the odometer showed 10,449 kilometers, followed by servicing at Ferrari in 2007 and again in 2013 by Eberlein Automobile GmbH, an official Ferrari and Ferrari Classiche dealer at 27,929 kilometers.

Its highly desirable Ferrari Classiche certification, issued in 2013, confirms that all identification stampings are original and correctly located. The report further states that the chassis is original and conforms to factory specifications, with no repairs or partial restoration; that the body is original, built to original specifications, and has neither been repaired nor rebuilt; that the engine is original and retains its original specifications; that the gearbox is original; and that the suspension components are original as well.

More recently, the car benefited from a major service in Germany this year, prior to the sale. The invoice on file records substantial mechanical work, including replacement of the timing belts, servicing of the driveshafts with new CV boots, and renewal of the engine oil, filters, and spark plugs. The cooling system was also serviced, while the brake and clutch fluids were replaced and bled. The invoice further notes upholstery work.

Showing just 33,380 kilometers from new at the time of cataloging and accompanied by Ferrari Classiche certification, this 512 BBi represents a rare opportunity to acquire an exceptionally well-documented, remarkably low-mileage example of Ferrari's iconic Berlinetta Boxer, from the final generation of the marque's road cars built in a largely hand-assembled tradition.