Ferrari 512BB LM Presentation

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Ferrari 512BB LM Presentation

1/18 Kyosho/ BBR

Limited Edition 752 pcs


Ferrari launched the 512BB at the 1976 Paris Motorshow as a replacement for the 365 GT4 BB. It was similar in design to the 365 but the engine was increased in size from 4.4 to 5 litres. For the 1978 Le Mans three of Ferrari's best known privateers, Pozzi in France, Garage Francorchamps in Belgium and Luigi Chinetti's NART in the USA, modified four 512s. None of them survived the race and the only Ferrari to finish was NART's old 365.

After securing two driver's titles and three constructer's titles from 1975 - 1977, Ferrari found time again for other competition efforts. After strong demands from the privateers the Scuderia set out to create a racing version of the 512. Pininfarina was commissioned to create a very streamlined silhouette body, to allow for high speeds at Le Mans' long straights. Ferrari themselves put the chassis on a diet, taking the weight down with around 200 lbs. Unfortunately the huge new body added about the same weight, so in all no weight was saved. The flat 12 engines were fitted with Lucas Fuel Injection and power was increased to 460-480 bhp. At the end of its career power was up to 500 bhp.

Porsche and the 512 BB's gearbox prevented the 512 BB LM from ever becoming a success. Problems with the gearbox were two-fold. To reduce the wheelbase, Ferrari mounted the 12 cylinder engine on top of the gearbox, but with so much weight high up in the car handling was severely hampered. The second problem was its reliability; Ferrari increased the engine output by over 100bhp, but did not modify the gearbox to cope with the added power.

While Ferrari's clients fielded the 480 bhp BB LMs, the competition entered 700+ bhp Porsche 935s. In the first Le Mans 24 Hours the 512 BB LMs took part in, the first four spots were filled with Porsches, with the Garage Francorchamps 512 finishing in a lowly 12th position. Over the next few years the LM was further developed, stronger gearbox, more power and less weight, but it was never really a contender. Highlight on the 512 BB LM's result sheet is a class victory in the 1981 Le Mans, where a Pozzi entered LM beat the 935s! By 1984 the 512 BB LM was left obsolete by regulation changes and it took Ferrari almost two decades to consider constructing GT cars again.