Ferrari 512 BB/LM #47 – Ixo

1980 Ferrari 512 BB/LM #47
Pilots: J-C. Andruet, C. Ballot-Léna, H. Regout
Team:  Charles Pozzi S.A.
Race: 5th overall (1st in IMSA GTX class) at Le Mans in 1981
Ixo - LMC 078 (diecast)

Published 11/08/24

A berlinetta is a sports coupe with typically two seats. Well, sometimes manufacturers also consider a 2+2 as a berlinetta (two seats with a small space behind). The term came to be in the 30s, and mostly European (especially Italian) manufacturers used it. The first “berlinetta boxer” (BB) from Ferrari was the 1973 365 GT4 BB. The 365 was not only a berlinetta but also had a boxer engine. In a boxer engine the cylinders (12, in the case of the 375) are horizontally opposed to each other. In 1976, at the Paris Motor Show, Maranello introduced the 375 BB’s replacement – the 512 BB. The 512 BB followed the same layout of the 375, though with a 5.0 engine (previously it was 4.4). The new 4943 cm³ boxer-12 delivered 250 kW (340 hp). It had a bigger engine, yet output was lower then the 365’s 270 kW (360 hp).

However, peak power was now available at only 6200 rpm, providing a smoother power delivery. Realizing the car’s racing potential, in 1978 Ferrari released the competition version of the car, the 512 BB/LM. Ferrari’s engineers spiced things up by redesigning the DOHC on each cylinder bank. With the new twin overhead camshafts, power output was up to 346 kW (470 hp). Interestingly, the race car received the BB designation for “Berlinetta Bialbero”, Italian for dual camshaft. Ferrari built initially three cars, and all three debuted in the 1978 Le Mans race. All three DNF with mechanical problems, so Ferrari went back to the drawing board. First, they replaced the carburetors with a Lucas mechanical fuel injection system, boosting power to 358 kW (480 hp). With the added power, both the transmission and cooling system also received upgrades. And to handle all that, it received a new body.

Designed by Pininfarina, the new body was longer and wider. Fixed headlights in the bumpers replaced the first series’ pop-up units, and the car also received wider wheels. In the end, this second series looked VERY different from the original 512 BB/LM. Until 1982, Ferrari built a total of 22 series 2 cars, though the factory never raced them. All of them went to customers that received a varied level of factory support. One of these customers was Charles Pozzi, that bought chassis #31589 and #32129 in 1980. At the 1980 Le Mans results were lacking though, with #31589 DNF and #32129  finishing in 10^th overall. The following year they were back, again with two cars (one new chassis). This time, however, #31589 came in fifth overall and first in the IMSA GTX class. The second car, chassis #35525, finished four positions behind #47.

As it’s more than obvious, I’m no big Maranello fan. Nonetheless, I will never disagree that Ferrari builds beautiful cars, with a few exceptions. And here we have an exception. Is the 512 BB/LM the ugliest Ferrari race car 🤔? Very possibly. The original series looked great IMO, however Pininfarina ruined it. Well, perhaps “ruining it” is a bit strong, since 512 BB/LM #47 here did achieve a class win… Even so, it’s a far cry from the beautiful 330 P4 or 512M. Consequently, an oddball with the bonus of a racing pedigree – my kind of car 😉.  However, to have it as a 1:43 options are slim – an essence, you either get this Ixo or something really dubious (Altaya, Brumm or Best). Fortunately for me I found this one for a good price. Even so, this is an “old Ixo”, so don’t expect much detail-wise.