About to purchase a 512BBi. Advice needed... | FerrariChat
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About to purchase a 512BBi. Advice needed...

Discussion in 'Boxers/TR/M' started by 512B, Feb 17, 2013.

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  1. 512B

    512B Rookie

    Feb 17, 2013
    11
    #1 512B, Feb 17, 2013
    Hi:

    This is my first post. I am considering getting a 512BBi which has had a tough life lately… a shop closing because of the owner's death, when the car was being repaired, a move to another place and then a change of car ownership, with some parts lost in the way (at the shop, I guess) with no hope of finding them here in Mexico. I am not new to collector cars and have a few of them, though mostly from the 30’s-60’s. This would be my first Ferrari though my brother owns a carburated 400 in very good original condition.

    As far as I know, the car is a 1983 BBi, number 47801, European version imported from new into Mexico, with the small orange side markers on the front fenders, speedometer in kilometers, black Boxer trim and is basically what appears to be a sound and complete car, except for a few mechanical components. Price seems right for a car needing work and the owner may take two or three of my current toys as part payment, which is also attractive to me as I can’t fit them all any longer.

    Anyhow, not to venture into the wild by myself unknowingly, I want to request your help with some advice. Of course, knowing these are fantastic but sort of delicate and very expensive to repair cars, I am concerned that this could turn into a potential nighmare… it doesn’t appear to be the case but I would rather ask a few questions…

    As far I have been told the engine was sent to to be repaired by Giuseppe X, in Houston, TX… don’t know any more details on that, but the engine does look like a recently repaired unit which has been left sitting installed the car for who knows how many years, but apparently it wasn’t started and the car for some unknown reason is missing one distributor, and parts of the fuel injector system, including injectors themselves. Also it appears to be missing a gas tank and perhaps some radiator that would attach to the rear of the engine lid. Of course, engine is my main concern and I would like to find out if the parts are obtainable, if Ferrari-only (I am just guessing that the K-jetronic fuel injection parts may be shared with some other lesser cars) and an idea of pricing if possible. That would help me understand if it is a project in which I can venture or not.

    The body looks sound and undamaged. Even paint is not perfect but not bad at all.

    On the interior, with original black leather with cloth inserts on seats, doors and headliner, it is missing the whole sound system, radio, equalizer and speakers, but the rest seems to be there and not in bad shape, just dirty and partly loose. Bottom carpets, the flat floor parts, are not there and the wiring under dashboard is loose, perhaps left like that when the sound system was removed, but I could not see any signs of cut and repaired wires, but would not know now of missing electric/electronic components.

    So… any advice will be greatly appreciated… I am hoping that the pics I am posting will be enough for you to determine the good but mostly the bad aspects of the car, which is a few hours away from me.

    Thanks for any help,
    victor
     
  2. geno berns

    geno berns F1 Rookie

    Oct 26, 2006
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    Geno
    #2 geno berns, Feb 17, 2013
    Last edited: Feb 17, 2013
    Run! Don't walk! Just jocking. Parts for BBis can be sourced quite easily. They are not cheep however. Sounds like you have a $30K-$40K car there. I hope you're not planing to pay more...

    Geno
     
  3. ace355

    ace355 Formula Junior

    May 23, 2008
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    Australia
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    Chris
    #3 ace355, Feb 17, 2013
    Victor, I applaude your courage. I hope it doesn't turn into quicksand!
     
  4. 512B

    512B Rookie

    Feb 17, 2013
    11
    #4 512B, Feb 17, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  5. 512B

    512B Rookie

    Feb 17, 2013
    11
    #5 512B, Feb 17, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  6. open roads

    open roads F1 Rookie

    Jan 28, 2007
    3,799
    Sarasota, Fl.
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    Stan
    #6 open roads, Feb 17, 2013
    Welcome to F-Chat. That's a great first post. Finding a forgotten BB.

    Giuseppe Risi owns Ferrari of Houston if this is any help. I would take it as a good omen. He is extremely well respected. Google Risi Competizione.

    Parts can be found. This forum can be a major source of valuable info and help.

    I wish you well on this. If however you determine that you do not want to buy it, I may, and would appreciate a heads up.

    When you get that thing running, make sure you open it up on the open roads. :)

    They like attention and to have life breathed into them.
     
  7. 512B

    512B Rookie

    Feb 17, 2013
    11
    #7 512B, Feb 17, 2013
    Thanks! Giuseppe Rissi... yes, it has to be him. Perhaps it would be a good idea to call him and ask on the engine work, he might tell me some more about it.

    I am looking forward to getting the car, really, but I just want to sense how difficult and expensive it would be to complete the mechanicals and getting it running.

    victor
     
  8. 512B

    512B Rookie

    Feb 17, 2013
    11
    #8 512B, Feb 17, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  9. ferraripete

    ferraripete F1 World Champ

    Nov 5, 2003
    11,560
    san diego/charlotte
    #9 ferraripete, Feb 17, 2013
    victor,

    it looks like a full restorations project which could get quite expensive but i think these cars are very much worth saving. good luck to you on the purchase.

    pcb
     
  10. Rock

    Rock Formula 3

    Nov 9, 2003
    1,652
    Toronto, Canada
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    Rocco
    #10 Rock, Feb 17, 2013
    be careful, bbi's are plentyful (many for sale) and not as valued as carbed bb's.

    if you are doing all the work it may make sense depending on the starting point
     
  11. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    Dec 6, 2002
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    Bubba
    #11 BigTex, Feb 18, 2013
    Mr. Risi owns Ferrari of Houston....(as well as the Race Team, Risi Competizione) I'm not sure his name specifically would be on an engine Repair Order, but that would be a good place to start searching. Makes sense, depending on who this former owner was...

    713 772-3868

    That's quite the challenge you have discovered there!
    Best wishes there's TONS of help by posting here....
     
  12. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #12 BigTex, Feb 18, 2013
    I say 'go for it"...hire a detailer to clean it up and get some new tires, it'll make it look a LOT better, then you won't feel so bad as the huge Bills start rolling in!

    That's a good thing it did not have to go thru the USA, no mods for our Laws at the time, less to 'undo"....

    Someone has taken the stereo, which was a model specific Pioneer system, and damned hard (but not impossible) to find...
     
  13. shashi27

    shashi27 Formula Junior

    Jan 7, 2006
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    Long Valley, NJ
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    Shashi
    #13 shashi27, Feb 18, 2013
    Looks like Newman's next project. ;-)
     
  14. 512B

    512B Rookie

    Feb 17, 2013
    11
    #14 512B, Feb 18, 2013
    Mmmmm.... looks like MY next project! ;-)

    Thanks, BigTex, for Mr. Risi's contact info. I heard he was a good friend of the car's owner back then, so that may be why he repaired the engine.

    "Someone has taken the stereo, which was a model specific Pioneer system, and damned hard (but not impossible) to find... " Yes... the full system, stereo, equalizer and speakers... but that is of much less concern to me than the missing injectors, distributor or rest of the mechanical components.

    I'll see what I can do to get it. I will keep you guys posted, and thanks for the help.
     
  15. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #15 BigTex, Feb 18, 2013
    They are a multi million dollar facility here, (not even counting the Race Team operations) the Factory Authorized Body Shop can repair the modern Ferrari aluminum frame/suspension systems....

    I'm certain the mechanical rebuild work is top notch, but a shame the motor has sat so long without use.

    The mechanical systems are well documented, my wager is you have less trouble with them than you do finding the radio!!

    Glad to help, always wanted a good Boxer, myself...
     
  16. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #16 BigTex, Feb 18, 2013
    Probably best to get a CD player with Sat/Nav in it, a big flip screen, etc....LOL!

    Aside from the missing bits, that's pretty original...those are the original air valve stems in the wheels, for instance...
     
  17. RedFlyer512TR

    RedFlyer512TR Formula Junior

    Dec 13, 2011
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    Columbus, OH
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    Timothy
    #17 RedFlyer512TR, Feb 18, 2013
    I wish you the best on your project. I wouldn't let the dirt scare me away. Start cleaning and polishing the leather. Congratulations on a great find!
     
  18. MS250

    MS250 Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #18 MS250, Feb 18, 2013
    I agree, soap and water does wonders, some detailing, waxing, and if someone is handy with a wrench they could be onto something good.

    Good luck !
     
  19. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #19 BigTex, Feb 18, 2013
    Somewhere there is a shop with the Fuel distributor and the injector rails and injectors, waiting on the deceased, to pick them up!!

    It can't be far...maybe there's a clue in the paperwork...
     
  20. boxerman

    boxerman F1 World Champ
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    #20 boxerman, Feb 18, 2013
    You are looking at an unloved car that has sat for a Lon long time.
    If the paint is good and the motor ok internally you're still looking at somewhere between 70-100k to put "right" lets face it pretty much everything here needs to be redone to make a great car.
     
  21. PINNIN512

    PINNIN512 Formula 3

    Aug 30, 2002
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    #21 PINNIN512, Feb 18, 2013
    Awsome car! A huge effort will be needed but very doable with lots of patience.I just purchased the rear fixed side window rubber gasket (BBi) from MR.fiat and was happy to see there Italian rubber manufaturer still uses original dies.

    Good luck !
    Will look forward to your pictorial progress.
     
  22. donv

    donv Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #22 donv, Feb 18, 2013
    It looks like quite a project.

    As long as you are doing it because you want to do a project like this and not because you think it's an inexpensive way into Boxer ownership, go for it!
     
  23. suicidedoors1964

    suicidedoors1964 Formula Junior

    Oct 2, 2004
    385
    #23 suicidedoors1964, Feb 19, 2013
    Frankly you have found a parts car. You best option is to flip the car or find another Boxer that needs a motor. Bringing a Boxer back to life that is missing these parts is going to be expensive.
     
  24. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #24 BigTex, Feb 19, 2013
    Maybe not, if Mr. Risi is your friend.......
     
  25. LamboRider

    LamboRider Formula Junior

    Feb 9, 2011
    465
    #25 LamboRider, Feb 19, 2013
    Tires can not be found for the BB, extinct item although Michelin will tell Coker they make will them sometime, that is not true.


    Buy this car for $45k US then clean it and sell it in Monterey for $95k this August
     
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