Presented by RM Sotheby’s – In the early 1980s, the 512 BB/LM was Ferrari’s ticket back into endurance sportscar racing. Replacing the 365 GT4/BB, the 512 BB/LM was equipped with a larger 5.0-liter, DOHC, flat-12 engine, capable of generating 550 horsepower. These engines had twin overhead camshafts per bank and this unique feature allegedly led, according to legendary Ferrari engineer Mauro Forghieri, to the creation of the “BB” acronym. Often associated with “Berlinetta Boxer”, in this context “BB” stands for “Berlinetta Bialbero”, Italian for dual camshaft.
Chassis number 35529 was purchased on 13 January 1981 directly from Ferrari by Fabrizio Violati’s Scuderia Bellancauto. It was supplied as a rolling chassis with a purchase price of 63,250,000 Italian lire. The chassis was assembled under the watchful eye of Ferrari’s Assistenza Clienti division at Scuderia Bellancauto’s workshop in Rome and completed in April 1981.
The car is one of 16 BB/LM Series Three competition cars built between 1980 to 1982. Several BB/LMs entered private collections but this example was purpose-built for competitive endurance racing. Chassis number 35529 made its racing debut on 26 April 1981 at the Monza 1,000 Kilometers, driven by Violati, Maurizio Flammini and Spartaco Dini. Sporting race number “15”, the trio finished first in their class.
Chassis number 35529 would race under Violati, Flammini and Duilio Truffo at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1981, bearing number “45” on its livery. Unfortunately, they were forced to withdraw due to transmission issues. On 28 June 1981, the car competed at the Enna 6-Hours, with Violati and Truffo taking the Ferrari to place 5th overall and another 1st in class victory. On 19 September 1982, the pair raced again in the Mugello 1,000 KM race, crossing the finish line in 10th overall position and taking a third-class victory.
When the 1984 24 Hours of Le Mans approached, the 512 BB/LM was racing under Bellancauto racing team colours and was recognised as a highly competitive car. Driven by Marco Micangeli, Roberto Marazzi and Dominique Lacuad as number “27”, there were high expectations. Unfortunately, the car was side-lined after six hours of racing due to gearbox issues. Finally on 19 September 1984, Maurizio Micangeli, Marco Micangeli and Cristiano del Balzo co-drove at the Imola 1,000 Kilometers, yet were forced to bow out after lap 91 due to engine failure.
In June 1985, Violati raced chassis number 35529 for the final time at the Ferrari Club Italia meeting in Alessandria, Italy. It was then inducted into the Collezione Maranello Rosso museum in San Marino on extended display, where it remained for 23 years. The car transferred to the Collezione’s new museum in Rimini, Italy, where it remained for seven more years.
Having recently gone through Ferrari Classiche’s certification process, this highly original 512 BB/LM is now presented with its Red Book confirming it retains its matching numbers engine and correct-type transmission. Further, the car is presented with an extensive history file, including copies of the original Ferrari invoice for the chassis, technical specification documents, invoices for mechanical components, the Carrozzeria Auto Sport quote for the body and various digital historic photographs.
As one of the most original and well-documented 512 BB/LMs with one-off bodywork, chassis number 35529 is highly eligible to be enjoyed by its next caretaker on either the racetrack or preservation concours field.
RM Sotheby’s will present this vehicle as part of a single-owner collection comprised of 75 of the finest racing and road cars in the world, offered entirely without reserve. The Guikas Collection, to be sold at Paul Ricard Circuit in France in November 2021, presents pedigrees spanning from the endurance racing of the 24 Hours of the Le Mans to the world stage of Formula One and nearly everything in between. The collection of race cars will provide modern racing enthusiasts an introduction into virtually all vintage racing series worldwide, including GT and road cars that are equally impressive which offer a wide selection of Pre- and Post-War sports cars.
