Guide: Ferrari 512i BB
Background
The first fuel-injected production Ferrari, the V12-powered 400i, was launched in 1979.
Fuel-injection superseded carburettors because it offered reduced consumption, lower emissions, improved throttle response, easier cold starting and simplified maintenance.
Ferrari next incorporated the system to its V8-engined Mondial and 308 in 1980.
Naturally, a fuel-injected BB followed to complete the range.
Launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1981, the 512i BB was Ferrari's flagship two seater and rival to the Lamborghini Countach S.
By the time the 512i was introduced, the BB had established an impressive racing pedigree. A few months earlier, the BB LM of French Ferrari importer, Charles Pozzi, finished fifth overall and first in class at the 1981 Le Mans 24 Hours.
However, despite its less polluting credentials, this latest BB production model was still not approved for sale in the USA, although fuel-injection did make it easier for grey imports to meet Federal emissions legislation.
At the time, Unites States dealers only had the V8 engined models to offer as the 400i was also excluded from Ferrari’s biggest market. Fortunately, when the Testarossa replaced the BB in 1984, Ferrari at last had a twelve cylinder model they could supply to American buyers (for the first time since 1973).
Regardless of what was going on in the US, Ferrari customers around the rest of the world were able to enjoy the most refined and exploitable BB yet.
The 512i had a torquier engine along with several other minor detail alterations. It joined a Ferrari line up that comprised the four seat front-engined 400i, the mid-engined 2+2 Mondial 8 and the two-seat 308 which could be ordered as a GTBi or targa-topped GTSi.
Chassis
Although the BB’s tubular steel semi monocoque chassis was essentially unchanged, it was nevertheless given a new type number: F102 CB 100.
As before, the wheelbase was 2500mm and subframes either end carried the combined engine / gearbox and suspension.
The suspension was independent all round with unequal length wishbones, coil springs, telescopic shocks and anti-roll bars. The back end used a twin spring / shock assembly per side.
Brakes ran off a separate hydraulic circuit for each axle with servo-assisted ventilated discs at each corner.
Having previously used Michelin’s traditional XWX tyres, Ferrari switched the 512i onto the French company’s latest low-profile TRX range. As TRX tyres were metric rather than imperially-sized, new versions of the five-spoke light alloy Cromodora centre lock rims were created. They had a circa 16-inch diameter and measured just under 9.5-inches wide which led to slightly wider track.
Twin fuel tanks with a combined capacity of 120-litres were mounted up against the rear bulkhead in the engine bay.
Engine / Gearbox
The BB's 180° all-alloy Flat 12 was the last Ferrari production car engine to make the switch to fuel-injection. Bosch K Jetronic was the system of choice and replaced the outgoing bank of four triple-choke Weber downdraught carburettors.
New electronic Marelli Digiplex ignition was fitted along with a single distributor and one spark plug per cylinder.
Like the carb-fed 512 BB, dry-sump lubrication was retained as were two-valve DOHC cylinder heads. Four valve heads would not arrive until the Testarossa was introduced.
Designated Tipo F101 A 000, the 512i engine displaced an unchanged 4942cc thanks to a bore and stroke of 82mm and 78mm respectively.
The 9.2:1 compression ratio was also carried over from its predecessor.
While peak power stayed at 340bhp, this was now developed at 6000rpm which was 800rpm lower than before.
The torque rating also improved: 333lb-ft at 4200rpm compared to at 4600rpm.
Ferrari positioned the motor longitudinally and in unit with a five-speed gearbox located below the engine’s crankshaft.
Transmission was via a ZF limited-slip differential and hydraulic twin-plate clutch. Gear ratios from the 512 BB were retained.
Bodywork
Pininfarina had already given the BB a subtle facelift in 1976 and, five years on, little was required by way of cosmetic surgery.
At the front, clear reflectors were inserted to the upper lip of the bumper and the fog lights were exposed instead of mounted behind the intake grille.
The NACA duct ahead of each rear wheel was painted black, the exhaust shroud was widened to accommodate a pair of fog lights and there was a new 512i BB tail badge.
Despite fashion having shifted dramatically since the BB’s introduction, Pininfarina resisted the urge to follow the direction taken by the Lamborghini Countach and De Tomaso Pantera.
All three cars had early seventies origins, but whereas the BB aged gracefully and remained true to its original form, the Countach and Pantera sprouted dramatic wheelarch extensions and huge spoilers.
Interior
Cockpit-wise, the BB changed little either.
Central locking was a new addition, but the only other update was a leather rimmed steering wheel with black instead of alloy spokes.
Otherwise, the spacious two-seat cockpit retained the same features that appeared on previous BB derivatives.
Leather was used to upholster the seats, dash, door panels, transmission tunnel and sill covers with carpet pretty much everywhere else.
Air-conditioning, electric windows and a stereo were standard.
Directly behind the steering wheel was the main instrument binnacle which housed large read outs for engine and road speed with smaller instruments for oil pressure and water temperature in between.
Two additional read outs were located either side of the main binnacle. On the outer side, Ferrari fitted an oil temperature gauge and clock. In the centre of the dash above the audio system was an ammeter and fuel level indicator.
Options
Optional extras included new Zegna wool seat inserts, leather headlining and the ‘Boxer’ paint scheme with satin black lower body sections.
Weight / Performance
Weight rose from 1400kg to 1499kg, but top speed was unchanged at 168mph.
The 0-62mph time stayed at 5.4 seconds.
End of Production
The 512i BB remained in production for three years. The last examples rolled out of the factory soon after the Testarossa was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in October 1984.
1007 were completed of which 43 were right-hand drive.
This took production of the entire BB line to a whisker over 2300 units.
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Ferrari - https://www.ferrari.com
