1981 BB512 Boxer with 800 miles sells for $36,500

Just look at that engine! That would never get old to look at.

 

Coachi, you yourself have told me of thousands of dollars of work you have already done with thousands more needed on your garage queen with no indication that even after that is done that the car will then be trouble free. And most Boxers,even if driven, are not daily drivers. So the body and interior of a 20k mile Boxer doen't look that much different than a 5k Boxer. Mine has 17,xxx miles and I would put it's exterior and interior up against any 5k mile Boxer out there. In order to keep the car in shape it needs to be driven at least 3k to 5k a year. So, its not had to imagine an 800 mile Boxer racking up $40k in bills which would leave you with a $76.5k Boxer and you can buy a well sorted one with a fresh service for less than that. I still say STAY AWAY from garage queens!

 

Speaking as someone who has owned three 328s, a Testarossa, a 512 BBi, two 355s, a Dino 246 GTS, and a 365 BB (I currently own a 1998 355 and a 1976 365 BB) I will give my opinion on Boxers.

In my opinion, for pure raw driving excitement it is difficult to beat the Boxer, especially the carbureted ones. The sound and throttle response is awesome.

They are also the last Ferraris whose bodies were built by hand in the Scaglietti shop.

The Boxer body is sleek, sexy, and beautiful without being too busy. When you look at a 308/328 you can see that Pininfarina drew upon the lines of the Dino 246 and the Boxer.

From a racing history perspective, Ferrari has also won F-1 championships with flat 12 engines, which I don't believe they have ever done with V-12s (although they have won many sports car championships with V-12s).

They can be expensive to maintain, but just think what a 355 or 550 will cost to maintain when they are 20 years old and the expensive black boxes need replacing or 40 (or 48) valves need replacing in a valve job. Of the cars I have owned, I would rate them in the following order of driving enjoyment (from most enjoyment to least):

365 BB
Dino 246 GTS
F-355
512 BBi
328
Testarossa

Of course, this is only my opinion but I have owned and driven all of these cars.

Will the market ever strengthen for Boxers? I don't know and I don't care. All I know is that my 365 Boxer is a special car and I cannot duplicate its excitement in more modern offerings.

Steve Biagini

 

AS PER FCA/NER Please see paragraph 8


NATIONAL CONCOURS JUDGING GUIDELINES
[reproduced in it’s entirety from www.ferrariclubofamerica.org]

1. Each Ferrari entered for judging is expected to be fully operational and driven onto the show field for placement in the designated class. Cars are to be shown fully assembled; all parts such as wheels, bumpers, tops, belly pans, etc. are to be attached to the vehicle in the original position.

2. The owner is to be present with the vehicle during the judging. If, for good reason, the owner cannot be available, a single individual may be designated by the owner to show the car during the class judging process. To facilitate the judging, owners of pre-1974 models are encouraged to have available a copy of the original factory build sheets for their car. A car may not change from display to judged after the deadline for applications.

3. Each vehicle will be judged by a three person team. Each judge will evaluate one of the following categories: exterior, interior, engine/chassis. Each component in each category will be judged for both originality and condition. Factory options are considered original, after-market options are not. If a judge is unavailable, a two person judging team may be used; however, the same categories and components will be evaluated in such circumstances. One of the judges will be designated the Chief Class Judge who will be responsible for introductions, final class decisions, submission of the results, and feedback to interested entrants. An effort will be made to avoid judging conflicts of interest with cars in the class.

4. At the start of judging, each car is assumed to have a perfect score of 100 points. As each component is judged, deductions of 0-5 points will be made as appropriate. Each car in the class will be judged by the same team in the same manner. A minimum of 95 points is required for 1st place (Coppa di Platino), 90 points for the single 2nd place (Coppa d'Oro), and 80 points for the single 3rd place (Coppa d'Argento).

5. The judges will not handle or operate the automobile. Owners or their designated representative will be asked to demonstrate the proper functioning of components, such as doors, windows, hood, trunk lid, and lights. Such items will be checked on competition cars where applicable. A judge may ask to sit in the car with feet outside for the purpose of properly evaluating the interior of the vehicle.

6. Convertibles are to be judged with the soft top up and properly fastened. Cars with removable roof panels will be judged with the panels in place. Cars that were originally provided with tools and an owners manual should have such items available for inspection. Authorized reprints will be acceptable. The glove box pouch should be available where applicable.

7. The person showing the car will be asked to start the car and run the engine at idle. Proper instrument operation will be evaluated, the engine compartment will be checked for leaks, and lights will be tested. If there is a malfunction, the owner or representative will be given a chance to correct the fault while the next car in the class is being judged.

8. Factory-provided pollution control equipment as required by federal law should be installed and have a working appearance. Modifications to headlights and other lights to conform to federal law, and modifications of structural and exhaust components to allow registration of gray market cars, will be acceptable so long as the changes are consistent and do not seriously detract from the original appearance of the automobile.

9. Routine replacement items, such as spark plugs, filters, battery, window glass, and tires, need not be the exact original brand or type provided that replacements conform to the general appearance, characteristics, and size of the original. Tires with the correct profile should be fitted to original rims and any spare should match unless the spare is an original specially-equipped factory item.

10. If a car has unique or unusual design characteristics that place originality in question, the entrant should be prepared to offer substantiating documentation to the Chief Class Judge. Safety-related items that are not original, but which were added for safety purposes, such as seat belts, fire extinguisher, side view mirror, or alarm system, will be acceptable provided the installation of such items is neat, unobtrusive, and does not detract from the original appearance of the automobile. This also applies to audio-visual and telecommunications equipment.

11. The key purpose of the concours is to promote the preservation of the Ferrari in its original state. Therefore, the primary focus of the judging will be on originality, authenticity and condition with secondary emphasis on cosmetics. Deductions will be made for over-restoration; extravagant paint and extra plating detract from originality. Spyder conversions and unauthorized rebodies are ineligible for judging. Over-cleanliness is unnecessary; some slight road dust and wear is to be expected. Ferraris are meant to be driven.

Questions on the IAC/PFA Judging Guidelines may be directed to Ed Gilbertson who can be reached at 415 824-6129.


The 4th Forth Annual Hartford Concorso Ferrari
June 20th, 2004: 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
registration starts at 9:30 a.m.

Click a link below to see more information:

• a history of hartford concorso ferrari
• about the connecticut children’s medical center
• about the village for families and children
• coctail party
• directions

 

Out of the 6 Ferraris I have owned, I would rate their excitment/joy to drive factor as follows: 1) BB512i; 2) 330GTC; 3) TR; 4) 400GT; 5) 348 Spider; and 6) 328 GTS. And yes, the 400 GT five speed is a blast to drive and the 6 side draft Webers sound wonderful. But, I still feel the BB512i even with the fuel injection offers the most viseral experience out of the 6 Ferraris I have owned; although the 330GTC is a very close second. As far as looks are concerned, nothing comes close to the BB512i however.

 

msdesigns, while paragraph 8 appears to allow "...Modifications to... lights to conform to federal law...", it does not appear to allow the addition of lights such as the side marker lights added to most Boxers as part of DOT conversion. I read that paragraph to allow people to modify existing lights to conform,but not to add lights. If the drafters meant "addition", why didn't they say "addition" instead of "modification" ? But, maybe that's just the lawyer in me.

 

Yes I have. Many to be honest. ( I have even seen the one at Italian Car Day for the last 3 years before it went on Ebay) If you want more I have 3 Ferraris now, owned more but never owned a Boxer personally. To be honest the interior does look cheaper than a 308 QV IMO. The interior looks dated and the door handles don't like right IMO. This is my opinion so you won't be able to convince me otherwise. Just because it was a Flagship at one time doesn't make every part of the car better. I like the Boxer but I think the 308 looks more finished/complete. It looks like it is missing some form of completion. Anyway, I don't want this thread to turn into a which car is better thread.
Yes, I agree the leather is the same. Now in comparison to my Rolls there is a difference.

 

Frank,

Just a bit of a correction here. You have owned 4 Ferraris and 2 Dinos.

Barry

 

My 86TR has 50Kms and have done 1 oil change a year, and one out of engine service with a clutch. And the yearly,rad,brake flush. The only costly part of the TR is the out of car service every 7 years for the belts. Everything else seems reasonable. As for the boxer, figure its the same scenerio.......my guess to why people do not have an eye for the boxer, is because they dont have the bling to keep it. Its like any ferrari, 3x8s are more expensive to maintain than a newer vette, but the vette is faster, easier to maintain blah, blah.....at the end of the day its still not a ferrari !!!
Poor boxer.....anyone want to get rid of theirs call me, happy to take it off your hands so you can buy a new Proche boxer

 

If you turn to page 24 of the Rules and regulations book and read paragraph 26, sentence b,c,and f...you will see that the amendment that permits gray market cars to pass non conformist regulations, also allows for the free contraception of large African killer bees to invade ruwanda,Zimbobway and Cape Horn without permission or invitation from The soviet socialists republic.
Furthermore, If George Bush is re elected and retains Dick Cheney as VP , and Colin Powel as SOD...There there will still be ******, A Bush and a Colin running this Country...! So There!

 

Man, I really disagree, the interior on a Boxer is not cheap looking.

I owned a very nice 1983 308 GTS QV for over five years and I think the interior on a Boxer is by far MUCH NICER than a QV's.

The Boxer's seats are better looking and more comfortable, along with the rest of the -all leather- trim/panels (no vinyl) including: leather covered door sills, headliner, etc.. etc....

The -ONLY- thing that I miss about my former 308 QV, is the targa top.

 

I have to agree with Frank's coments. There is nothing like driving the Boxer. I have a 328 and a 360 and have owned a 348 and a 308, the Boxer tops them all. The interior is beautiful and the lines are timeless. As one friend told me, and he owns among others an F50 and a 333SP, that Boxers "look and smell like a Ferrari should".

Michael, are you having some kind of love affair with that car or what? I hope you get 150K, we all do, so keeps us posted!!!

 

KDS entao pah?! Common dude....that's like a kick in the nuts hehehe just kidding. Difficult owners is right. You know damn well who is still sitting here *sigh* Too bad.

Vasco.R

 

.........................and I second that!

 

i would give / trade my 308 and possibly $$$$ for a boxer, depending on details! i love the way they look, never heard one, seen one, or ridden in one. BUT....... i had never driven a ferrari or heard a carb 308 before, until my ass touched the seat for the first time when my 308 was delivered. i love all kinds of cars, but i DETEST these gee whizz computer crap fuel injected cars. most computer cars , once they reach the 15 year mark are junk and to hard to fix. this is not implying ferrari ect exotics are junk. i would rather have a 26 year old ferrari than another vette, toyota turbo ect ect and i have HAD OVER 140 CARS FOLKS and i am only 32. bullsheet you say?? come here and i have the tags, plates, and copies of titles and registration, since i was 15 and you could drive on a permit.
a 308 is nice. i like mine. a Boxer is a freaking ICON. i dont have the ponies in the bank to get a boxer and keep it alive. i would rather burn up 3 trans ams worth of cash and fix my trans and a few other issues and have my ferrari , a really slow one. how fast can you REALLY go on the streets with all the cops and people on the roads. i would rather have a bunch of old " cheap " cars than one Enzo or other wonder car. but i am not a person " of means" . so my opinion matters very little i bet. you are not going to see lots of these hi tech cars around still bieng repaired. look at some of the ' regualr" cars of the 80's and 90"s that people will not or cannot fix.

 

308GTS, according to some parts sources I have spoken with, the leather used in the Boxer is a much higher grade that that used in the 308/328 series; just as the leather now used in the 575m is of a higher grade than that used in the 360 series . As to the door handles, you can't even see the interior door handles in the Boxer...so how do they not look "right"? As to the exterior door handles, I believe they are the same as on the 288GTO . In any event, I believe it is obvious to anyone who looks that the the interior in a Boxer is far nicer than the interior of a 308/328 .

 

How can an opinion be obvious???? What ever makes you feel better about the $$$ you spent. Basically you want to justify your $$$$. I can't speak for everyone and neither can you. So in order to say that anyone would find this interior nicer is BS. Well, I have the $$$ to buy a Boxer and I don't want one period. Like I said it looks dated and the interior doesn't look like a $70K car. I can see the interior door handle in any pic or maybe I should clarify that as door pull. I am not sure why you care about my opinion on the boxer that much. I think the 308 interior is much nicer and more finished. My comments also apply to the exterior of the car too. The 308 QV interior IMO is far superior in looks to the boxer interior.
The dash on the boxer is nothing to write home about either IMO.(I wouldn't call it flowing, flat and square yes but not flowing) The instrument trim doesn't help either. The seats resemble the lines of dino seats IMO. I can go on and on but my point is that this is my opinion and because your opinion varies it fine with me. Just because it costs more doesn't make it better. Have fun with your boxer and be done with it.

 

308GTS, you can not see the interior door handle on a Boxer at all. You have to feel for it up in the cavity just below the window, which was later copied in the 328. What you can see is a cylindrical leather covered door pull that has a fabric center strip that is a gorgeous piece of craftmanship like the rest of the interior. The one thing I do agree with is that Ferrari could have done better with the instrument trim...but that was the style of the time on all exotics. My Boxer has "Daytona" type seats in tan with chocolate inserts along with a chocolate dash. You should note that the "chairs & flairs"(read Daytona style) option in Dinos is the most sought after option for both Boxers and Dinos! Money justification is not the issue. I didn't even "buy" it anyway...I traded my ex-348 Spider even for it. As to the exterior, how can you say it is "dated" ? In fact, the 328, which was an update of the 308, used the same type of intergrated bumpers in 1986 as well as other updates as first used on the BB512i in 1981. If you will notice from other posts on FC, most people prefer the 328 with it's Boxer like intergrated bumpers over the 308 with it's "add-on" looking bumpers. But, maybe the Boxer you saw had those ugly rumber bumpers put on by some conversion companies for DOT compliance? And, as with most things in life, the reason it cost more is because it is better, not vice versa. Don't get me wrong, I love the 308. It is probably the best starter Italian exotic out there...but, it ain't no Boxer!

 

I can say with no hesitation that your Opinion is a minority one, and even if it was a Majority...Enzo and pininFarina intended the Boxer inside and outside to far exceed the 308 message.
So let it be written, so let it be done. Quote" by Enzo Ferrari".

 

I'm with you - I actually prefer the 308 intterior over the Boxer - The Boxer just doesn't work for me. No worries though - I prefer the 308 interior over my TR also! I don't care that the 308/328 have a vinyl dash - It beats the hell out of the sun damage problem that shrink the leather on the Boxer/TR/355 dashes!

 

LOL

Gee... and I thought that I had moved up the Ferrari ladder to a much rarer and more powerful handbuilt supercar of it's day, which also happened to have a much nicer interior than my two previous 308s.

But, maybe I've got it all wrong.

Oh well, guess I just have to live with my piece of crap Boxer that has an ugly interior and exterior.

Maybe I can talk someone into trading a 308 for it someday, if I'm lucky...

 

You are fine, dont listen to them. You have a wonderful car ;-)

Looks great!

Ciao

Vasco.R

 

For what it is worth, I just got my copy of Hemmings, it is a mistake. I was at the Borgata that night. The Boxer did not sell at all, but the owner did turn down $96,000.00. It was a ridiculous bid for a nice car, but with issues, beginning with it having to be jumped three times just to get to the block, and it smoked like crazy. But it did NOT sell. Owner claimed it to be 1 owner, yada, yada..... and to be the first injected Boxer in the US. How do You prove that? Who cares?

 

well,

i own both a boxer and a 308 and while i do think the 308 guage cluster is far nicer than the bbi, frank is correct in saying the materials used in the interior for the bbi are far nicer...carpet , leather etc.

both great cars (and i love them both) but the boxer is in another league.