back in the 70s and 80s when the cars were new must have been an exciting adventure! But, just how did you go about doing it? Just pop into your local F-car dealer and pick one out? Or since they were always gray market cars, did you need to order one through one of the importers such as Amerispec, and skip the showroom floor? And what was the price of a brand new BB512? Does anyone have the original window sticker showing price and options? Wish I could have done it back in 79, but I was busy buying a house at the time.
I think you would contact the various conversion companies and they would either buy you a brand new car or find you a used one then convert it. Either that go to Europe and buy one yourself and find your own conversion, I think a few made it through the back doors here via Canada or Mexico never converted. The dealers where of no hope other than contacts for various companies which brings an interesting point if the U.S. dealers never could sell a Boxer directly from the factory were they trained on servicing them here? Keep in mind the Boxer was the first Ferrari to use belts and require an engine out service, something the mechanics at the dealers never experienced before.
I have the copy of the sale invoice for my BBi in 1984, the price paid was full list, which was 48,749 sterling pounds plus 391 for leather headlining. steve
Thanks guy! Not sure what 48K Pounds was to USD in 1984, but needless to say, the cars were on the pricey side! Pinnin512s 102K was almost as much as I paid for my house in 1979! Happy New Year to All!
I have all the paperwork on mine-- it was purchased used in Europe when 1 year old, with ~3,500 km and imported, apparently on spec (or after the original buyer backed out-- I can't tell from the paperwork). So I think the others are right-- you went to the importers. My brother bought a number of gray market cars new in the 80s (no Ferraris, though), and he worked closely with an importer. The question of the role of dealers is an interesting one, though. I'm pretty sure my local dealer bought at least one, maybe more, Boxers new, but then he's more of a collector/enthusiast than a typical dealer. I think he has three Boxers in his collection at the moment, but the line between "collection" and "inventory" has always been a bit blurry over there! If you have an Amerispec-imported car, you can probably get their file on the car, with all of the purchase paperwork. I don't know about other importers-- most of them haven't lasted this long.
I have copies of all the original paperwork on my BBi that was purchased brand new from the factory and shipped to the US. Ferrari Factory invoice dated April 22, 1983 $61,500 less special discount $6,500 (I don't know the story on the discount) Total: $55,000 Air freight from Italy to JFK in NY - $1,875.00 Duty, broker (Skinner) and customs fees- $1,770.00 Trucking from JFK to Amerispec- $251 Amerispec conversion fees: $11,800 Grand Total $70,696 The car was imported via Lake Forest Sportscars for a very good client (importer of record) and I don't know what their final markup was. Maybe the $6,500 discount on the factory invoice was their profit? Quite a few magazine road tests at that time listed the US $ price at that time of around $100K on the carb BBs. I have not been able to find any car magazine reports on the later injected cars. The June 1981 Car & Driver listed in their report that a 512BB was $115,000 (as tested) from Amerispec Corp.
My car was a new Belgian 1983 car. - Francochamps in BE, sold the car to Mr. Lyons (the U.S. importer) from Alabama. I believe he is an attorney. He brought in several cars. I have all the papers, including a copy of the factory MSO.
I don't remember who imported mine, but it wasn't Amerispec. But I do have a paper from the importer, so I check it out when I get back home in a day or two. Probably one of the 'Out of Business' guys. So it seems these cars are still selling for about the original price, just minus Inflation! Whata deal! In the last two months aboard this boat, I've thought up all sorts of things to do to my car. New wheels, new tires, adjustable ride height shocks and new springs, new suspension bushings, and, and, and.... Someone grab my checkbook before it's too late! And thank you guys here on F-Chat for helping me keep my sanity while floating around out here! Friday morning, if San Diego weather cooperates, I'll be taking my baby out for a spin! Best Regards to all, John
