One to Buy: ex-Jeremy Agace 1979 Ferrari 512 BB
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The 512 BB was Ferrari’s second iteration of their mid Flat 12-engined Berlinetta Boxer. The first, the 4.4-litre 365 GT4 BB, had been produced from 1973 to 1976 having starred at the ‘71 Turin Motor Show in prototype form.
Ferrari unveiled the 512 BB at the Paris Motor Show in October 1976. It featured a range of updates over its predecessor, perhaps the most notable of which were a torquier five-litre engine now with dry-sump lubrication and a chin spoiler to reduce front-end lift.
There were also subtly flared rear arches to cover wider back wheels, extra vents on the engine cover, a louvred satin black tail fascia panel, NACA cooling ducts down each flank and new exterior mirrors. Inside, just some minor switchgear and instrumentation changes were made.
512 BB production ran from 1976 until 1981. 929 were completed, 101 of which were right-hand drive.
This particular example from 1979 was supplied new to well known collector, Jeremy Agace, whose family purchased what became the Mann & Co. chain of estate agents in 1938. By the early 1980s, Mann & Co. had around 80 offices and the company went public in 1985 with a successful listing on the London Stock Exchange.
Agace configured his 512 BB in Argento Met. with contrasting Boxer trim below the swage line and a Nero interior. The handsome colour scheme (arguably the most pleasing for a BB) was specified at a time when most Ferraris were painted ubiquitous Rosso Corsa.
Mr Agace retained the BB until 1986.
In recent years, this beautifully specified 512 BB has been treated to substantial mechanical and cosmetic work by the likes of Hall & Hall, Foskers Engineering and Joe Macari.
Today, the car is on offer at Joe Macari’s showroom in Wandsworth, London, having covered 45,200 miles from new.
