In 1972 Ferrari developed the 312 PB, its latest prototype with official equipment for the World Championship. Subsequently, the brand would continue to be represented by private teams without official support dependent on Ferrari's commercial representatives in Belgium, USA and France. These teams achieved three GT class victories at Le Mans between 1972 and 1974 with the 365 GTB/4 Daytona.
The 1977 regulatory changes for the GT category of the World Championship allowed the participation of IMSA series cars. Thanks to that change the NART team (North American Racing Team) introduced a 365 GT4 BB.
By the end of 1976 Ferrari presented 512 BBat the Paris Salon, which would reach the streets in 1977. Considering its potential for racing, during 1978 three private teams modified four copies of the 512 BB to adapt it to the competitions. They were used to compete in Le Mans but none of them finished the race.
Private teams requested official support from Ferrari to develop the 512 BB. Since the brand had managed to regain its prominence in F1, it agreed to collaborate. Ferrari commissioned Pininfarina to redesign the body to achieve better aerodynamic efficiency.
The body of the 512 BB “silhouette” type was optimised although it turned out to be too heavy. Meanwhile, Ferrari took care of relieving the chassis 90 kilos and preparing the engine better. The 12 Boxer cylinders received a Lucas electronic injection system to reach a power of 480 hp, which would then rise to 500 hp.
But one of the main problems of the car was the transmission. The car had 100 horsepower more than in its original condition, however the gearbox was not adapted to tolerate the highest demands. In addition, because of the need to reduce the wheelbase, the engine was mounted on the box, so it always gave problems and lacked reliability.
The Ferrari 512 BBLM debuted at Le Mans in 1979. In inferior conditions, the Ferrari were very relegated, achieving the best of them a 12th place in the overall table and fifth place in its class, behind the BMW M1 and Porsche 935.
Subsequently, the development of the 512 BBLM continued, achieving some improvements in the gearbox and overall weight reduction. Even so, the Ferrari 512 BBLM was never a serious candidate for victory. The best result at Le Mans stands out a fifth overall that included the win in its class (IMSA GTX) in 1981. This car belonged to the French team of Charles Pozzi.
At Le Mans 1982 the same car left early, while a 512 American BBLM finished sixth in the overall table and third in its category. By 1983 it was obsolete. That was the end of a car that never reached glory, although quite meritorious performance it had for the little official development it had.
© Adrián Blanco 2007 - No full or partial reproduction of text and/or images without explicit written consent of the author. —
