Ferraris have always been a cut above the rest in the luxury automobile world. However, this gold-bathed 1977 Ferrari 512 BB is an arresting head-turner, bound to entice and bewitch anyone who lays eyes on it.
History
Pre 512 BB
Long before the 512 BB Ferrari could be transformed into an aureate wonder, the brand was at a crucial juncture.
It was the mid-50s, and Ferrari’s status as the racing top dog was diminishing drastically due to new mid-engine cars. Thus, Enzo Ferrari was finally persuaded to venture into something he had always been highly sceptical of – making mid-engined cars. After a few successful stints of creating mid-engined sports cars, the brand pivoted towards making mid-engined road cars, spawning the 365 GTB/4 Daytona and the 365 GTC/4.
In 1971, Ferrari engineers led by Dr. Ing. Angelo Bellei began working on the successor of GTB/4 and GTC/4, the 365 GT4 Berlinetta Boxer (BB). This car brought about a significant change in Ferrari's engine DNA, featuring a longitudinally positioned mid-mounted flat-12 engine. This new arrangement heralded the end of Ferrari’s high-performance car blueprint of the front-engined design.
With novelty in its veins, the new 365 GT4 BB was stylised with the tried and tested facade of the Dino 206/246 and the Scuderia Ferrari – a sleek, compact tubular steel chassis frame. Its unique bodywork, which came to be known as the “Boxer Paint Finish,” was characterised by duo-toned hues, with the top half of the car lathered in matte shades of red or yellow and the bottom half in satin black.
The scarlet-hued 365 GT4 BB was unveiled at the Turin Motor Show in 1971.
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512 BB’s Rise
In 1976, the 365 GT4 BB was followed by the 512 BB. The name is a nod to its five-litre, 12-cylinder engine design. A few subtle changes were incorporated into the 512 BB, making it more palatable to the masses. With a bigger and greater cubic capacity, the 512 BB was a more driveable car.
512 BB’s 335 HP engine can propel the car from 0-400-metres in 13 seconds and is capable of achieving a top speed of 302 km/hr.
Only 929 units were produced at the time, albeit the car represented a seismic shift in the marque’s engineering. It was unveiled at the Paris Show in 1976.
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The Golden Era
Ferraris are renowned for their vivacious and experimental colour palettes. However, a handful of the 512 BBs created history, as they were decked out in one of the world's rarest shades.
Four of the 929 1977 512 BBs donned a unique, metallic gold shade known as the Oro Chiaro Metallizzato. The interiors featured sumptuous Testa di Moro brown leather. As such, this select fleet was indeed the ultimate lap of luxury.
One such unit (chassis number 21881) was sold through Maranello Piemont S.r.l. of Milano to a company in Italy, where it remained under the care of three unnamed private owners in Turin. Years into its new life, this golden 1977 512 BB was repainted red and beige, concealing its inimitable colour scheme.
This car was purchased by another anonymous buyer in 1997. Over 18 years later, the car was recognised as one of the world’s rarest, bona fide gold Ferraris. It was restored to its heyday glory in Modena, with its enchanting gold finish and luxuriant Testa di Moro brown leather trimmings. Every inch of the car, including the mechanical bits and bobs, was overhauled to its original state.
It was acquired by UK Sotheby’s in 2018 and was incorporated into the London Midas Touch auction, an event curated to celebrate the evergreen metal through the ages. This auction was one of a kind on many fronts, with the golden 512 BB stealing most of the spotlight. Steeped in awe-inspiring luxury, rich history, and opulent wealth, the Golden 512 BB was one of the most aspirational exhibits at the auction.
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The First of its Kind?
Although incredibly rare, the 512 BB isn’t the only golden Ferrari out there. In 2014, a flashy gold-vinyl 458 Ferrari Spyder was spotted in the affluent boroughs of London, sparking media interest and public intrigue.
This ritzy ride belongs to Riyadh Al-Azzawi, a world kickboxing maestro. This Spyder, powered with a 4.5-litre V8 engine, boasts a top speed of 199 mph. While a standard 458 Spyder is worth at least about $248,000, Al-Azzawi’s gold makeover set him back an additional $5,143.
These glamorous wheels still do the rounds in London, luring in curious bystanders and eager tourists with selfie sticks. Needless to say, Riyadh Al-Azzawi succeeded in making a grandiose statement with his rare beauty.
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Price
At present, a standard vintage 512 BB is considered a collectible worth $313,854.
However, the golden 1977 512 BB Ferrari is valued at £350,000–450,000 by RM Sotheby’s. While it was part of the 2018 Midas Touch auction, it is yet to be claimed.
Ferraris are unapologetically exclusive, with a legacy of peerless craftsmanship and an impressive racing pedigree. They are undoubtedly commanding status symbols in their own right, but why not take it to the next level? The gold Ferrari presents an unmissable opportunity for you to set yourself apart from even the cream of the collector crop – all you need to do is take the first step.
