VIN: the ex-Charles Pozzi / Jack Setton Ferrari 512 BB LM chassis 41263
/ Ben Tyer
HISTORY OF CHASSIS 41263
Chassis 41263 was the penultimate 512 BB LM completed and one of five units to emerge during 1982. Built to the ultimate specification for one of these cars, it featured all the latest updates to include a repositioned engine (mounted lower and further forward in the chassis) plus much reduced weight (tipping the scales at just 1058kg).
The handsome blue machine emerged from Ferrari’s Assistenza Clienti department in June 1982, a few days prior to that year’s Le Mans 24 Hours which would be the car’s one and only competitive outing in period.
41263 was supplied to Ferrari’s French distributor, Charles Pozzi in Paris, whose operation had been instrumental in the Berlinetta Boxer’s transition to GT racing trim. Pozzi had campaigned BBs at Le Mans every year since 1978. In 1981, the French squad had recorded its best finish thus far at la Sarthe with fifth place overall and first in class.
Allocated to driver pairing Claude Ballot-Lena and Jean-Claude Andruet, chassis 41263 appeared at the 1982 Le Mans race with backing from Pioneer audio systems; renowned French collector Jack Setton was the French distributor for Pioneer and, during the 1980s, promoted the brand through title sponsorship of various Ferrari and Peugeot motor sport programmes.
Ballot-Lena and Andruet qualified 41263 third fastest of the four BB LMs in attendance at Le Mans in 1982 with a grid slot of 41st. By the fourth hour they had moved up to 13th, but thereafter dropped well down the order with engine trouble. The sick motor ultimately led to their retirement during the sixth hour.
After Le Mans, chassis 41263 joined Setton’s magnificent collection at his Chateau 35km west of Paris where he had built a private circuit to enjoy his fleet. The car was retained until 1991 at which point auction house Poulain-Le Fur sold it in Paris.
Notable History
Charles Pozzi, Paris
20/06/1982 WSC Le Mans 24 Hours (C. Ballot-Lena / J.C. Andruet / H. Regout) DNF (#71)
Sold to Jack Setton, Paris
Retained until 1991
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: ACO - https://www.24h-lemans.com/en
