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Specifications
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Stock Number
1979Fer512BBLM-26681
Year
1979
Make
Ferrari
Model
512 BB/LM
VIN/Serial Number
26681
Exterior
Red with graphics
Interior
Black
Body Type
2-door 2-seat Pininfarina Berlinetta
Engine
5.0-liter flat 12 cylinder, Lucas indirect fuel injection
480 bhp
Engine No. F102 BB LM *006*
Engine No. Interno *006*
Transmission
5-speed fully synchromeshed in unit with engine and final drive
Gearbox No. F102 BB LM Tipo 4 *005*
Mileage
TMU - No odometer fitted
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Features |
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Comments |
This is the very first of the “Silhouette” BB/LMs built. It was both the prototype and the racing homologation model used by Ferrari. Upon completion, it was utilized by Pininfarina in various wind tunnel tests, in order to carry out the necessary aerodynamic improvements that led to the final body shape which characterized the other 24 examples produced.
26681 was then tested on the track at high speed at both Le Castellet and Fiorano by Jody Scheckter. Upon completion of final testing by Roberto Vaglietti, this particular BB/LM was leased or then loaned to the Charles Pozzi / Ferrari France race team of Levallois-Perrey, Paris, France. Formal ownership of this vehicle remained with the SEFAC Ferrari. 26681 was then shipped directly from Ferrari in early January by air to Daytona Beach, Florida for the upcoming 24 Hours of Daytona.
February 3rd, 1979 24 Hours of Daytona. Entered by Charles Pozzi/ JMS-Racing Ferrari France race No. 66. Raced by Jean Claude Andruet and Spartaco Dini. Andruet qualified and started 15th on the grid but the car was formally withdrawn half-way though the race after covering 103 laps without any problems or issues. A suspension/tire failure on the sister BB/LM that had been entered by the NART team gave concerns that the same failure might happen to the other BB/LMs entered and all were withdrawn. (The crashed BB/LM was s/n 26683.) At the end of the race, officially, s/n 26681 was classified as 53rd overall but was listed as a “did not finish” due to insufficient laps covered. (103 laps.) In February of 1979, this BB/LM was returned to the Ferrari Factory Race Department and prepared for the upcoming 24 Hours of Le Mans.
June 9th, 1979 24 Hours of Le Mans. Entered by Pozzi / JMS Racing-Ferrari France with race No. 62. Drivers were again Jean Claude Andruet and Spartaco Dini. Andruet had the second best Ferrari practice times of those Ferraris entered (4'02.42 sec) putting the car 30th on the grid for the start of the race. Andruet however retired the next morning at 9.25AM, while running 8th overall. He had covered 240 laps but low oil pressure resulted in damaged bearings. During the race Andruet did most of the driving. At one point he had moved the car well ahead and was for a while in sixth place into the 19th hour before the engine damaged forced him out.
After Le Mans the engine was rebuilt by Ferrari and the car retained by Ferrari SEFAC for additional testing and development of the other client BB/LMs. It was then returned to Ferrari France in Paris. It was used on possibly only one other occasion in practice in 1980. It was never formally entered again in any additional races and as such remained one of the few BB/LMs never damaged or crashed. In late 1980, 26681 was returned to the SEFAC Ferrari where it was further tested and evaluated in order to continue providing updates and development for the remaining client BB/LMs.
In early 1984, 26681 was deemed surplus to the needs of the Ferrari Factory and sold formally to Charles Pozzi / Ferrari France. The car was then dispatched and stored at their facilities in Levallois-Perret, Paris, France. On August 6th, 1985 formal ownership but not possession of 26681 was transferred to Prince Pierre Sanguzko. Interestingly road registration (Plate No. “9584 TF 60”) was issued in the Prince’s name; “Pierre Sanguzko” showing his address, just North-East of Paris at Route Creil, Senlis, France.
Ferrari France kept the car in storage over the next 11 years until it was displayed on June 21st and 22nd, 1991 at Pierre Bardinon’s Mas du Clos track during a Ferrari France Club Meeting. While there, the car was seen by many and described “as last raced at Le Mans in 1979.” After the Mad du Clos meeting, this BB/LM was placed back in storage where it remained for many more years. In early 1992, Prince Pierre Sanguzko passed away while the Ferrari was still in storage with Pozzi’s Ferrari-France. This BB/LM remained there until February 18th, 1994 when it was purchased from the Prince’s son, Paulo Sanguzko via Daniel Marin by our company, Symbolic Motor Car Company of La Jolla, California.
After being purchased, it was then shipped to the States and offered again for public sale with an asking price of $350,000. It was then sold shortly thereafter to Robert Pond of Palm Springs, California and placed on display for a short while in his private museum. One year later after extensive service work, this BB/LM was sold back to Symbolic Motor Car Company in May of 1995. It was again offered for public sale at $350,000.
On June 24th, 1995, 26681 was on display with Symbolic at the Rosso Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills Ferrari Show and then sold shortly thereafter to a private collection in Chicago, Illinois where it has remained as purchased ever since until April of 2009.
This Ferrari has remained unrestored / as-last-raced with the current owner since their purchase nearly 15 years ago. It has just undergome extensive full service work and the fitting of fresh new Avon tires. All work was done to carefully ensure that the original nature of this car is preserved for the next caring custodian as well as future generations and enthusiast the world over.
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for Sale
