www.QV500.com - Ferrari Berlinetta Boxer Part 2: 512 BB
 
By 1976, Ferrari were ready to introduce a revised version of the Berlinetta Boxer, one that was more driveable in all conditions and with an enlarged five-litre engine to provide bucketloads more torque. No doubt spurred on by the imminent arrival of Lamborghini's wild LP400 Countach S, Ferrari upstaged the financially troubled Sant’ Agata manufacturer by releasing their 512 Boxer in 1976. But with the exception of a wider rear track, few set-up changes were made, the outgoing 365's 4.4-litre Flat-12 engine undergoing the most fundamental revisions.
   
Stretched to 5-litres, displacement was now 4942cc thanks to a bore and stroke of 82 x 78mm (up from 81 and 71mm). However, despite this significant increase in capacity, the 512 was actually down on power compared to its predecessor. Output of the now dry-sumped engine was 20bhp below the GT4, although its 340bhp was generated at 700rpm less than before. Compression was increased to 9.2:1 (up from 8.8:1) and the four triple choke Weber 40 IF3 C downdraught carburettors retained. In reality, performance was only marginally down, 0-60 now taking 5.6 seconds while top speed became 168mph - hardly sluggish even by todays standards. But where the new model excelled was its all-round flexibility which not only made it slightly quicker in real world conditions but also more pleasurable to drive. Despite no fundamental changes being made to the bodywork, a couple of detail alterations do help identify 512's from GT4's. Most obviously there was a new wraparound chin spoiler, NACA ducts carved out from in front of the rear wheelarches and twin rear lights rather than distinctive triple clusters.
 
New wing mirrors and a mildly reworked rear valance housing four exhaust pipes instead of six also differentiated the new version. Few changes of any note were made to the cabin, just some minor switchgear and instrument relocation. Launched during October 1976 at the Paris Salon, the 512 Berlinetta Boxer continued where the GT4 had left off and reinforced Ferrari’s reputation as manufacturers of the worlds most accomplished supercar. Production continued until late 1981, by which time some 929 examples had been completed, 106 of which were right-hand drive.