Car of the month: The retro Ferrari still topping the charts 45 years on

It was the year Grease opened at the cinema and the BeeGees were topping the charts. But that’s not the only classic that hit the market in 1978. A rare right hand drive 1978 Ferrari 512 BB, goes under the hammer this week with price expectations of more than $300,000. Bidding is already fierce for the classic car being offered for sale via Collecting Cars.

Known for its speed, style and luxury, the Ferrari label is synonymous with supercar domination and is one of the oldest and most successful racing brands ever. With just four previous owners – the most recent keeping the car for 24 years – bidding on this limited edition vehicle ends Monday, September 18. We took a peek under the bonnet before this incredible vehicle heads off on its next adventure.

A True Rarity

The 1970s Ferrari 512 BB is a rare breed, with just 929 units delivered worldwide. Among these, only 101 were made in right-hand drive configuration. This example has had a total of four owners since it rolled off the production line, and it’s been in the care of its current owner for nearly a quarter of a century. Originally purchased in the UK, it is believed to have been brought to Australia by the then-owner in the 1990s. Although it has a few years on the clock, it has a modest 35,484 miles (57,106 km) on the odometer.

Iconic Styling

The Berlinetta Boxer, or BB, is famous for its striking design, and this 512 BB is finished in classic Rosso Corsa. Inside, the tan leather-trimmed seats with Nero ‘Daytona’ inserts offer both comfort and a touch of sophistication. The 15-inch five-spoke Cromodora alloy wheels, paired with Michelin tyres, add to the car’s visual appeal.

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Under the hood lies a 4.9-litre flat-12 engine that produces around 346kW at 7,250rpm. The powerful engine sends its performance to the rear wheels through a five-speed open-gate manual transmission, a setup that defines the era of analog supercars. The result is a driving experience that modern supercars can only dream of replicating.

Unique Modifications

This Ferrari 512 BB has been carefully modified to enhance its performance and useability. Upgrades include an MSD ignitor and coil, an uprated air conditioning compressor, twin electric cooling fans, wider rear wheels, uprated shock absorbers and springs, a Tubi stainless steel exhaust, remote central locking, HID headlight bulbs, LED fog lights, a Sony head unit, and a reverse camera and screen.

Impeccable Service History

Maintaining a classic supercar like this requires a great deal of care and commitment. This 521 BB comes with a comprehensive service history, with the most recent service conducted in November 2021 at 35,346 miles by Racing Red. This service included an engine oil and filter change, along with the replacement of brake fluid and a rebuild of all four brake callipers. Previous services in 2020 and 2019 included engine oil and filter changes, clutch inspection, timing belt replacement, and various other essential maintenance tasks.

The Road Ahead

The Ferrari 512 BB represents not just a car but a piece of history. With its rarity, striking appearance, and modifications, it’s an opportunity to own a piece of automotive history.

Disclaimer

As with any major purchase, potential buyers should conduct their own due diligence to verify the accuracy of the vehicle’s description.

Citizen Kanebridge, one of Australia’s premier private members’ clubs, will open a new chapter in Sydney’s fast-growing Norwest corridor, expanding its physical footprint to meet its property, finance and investment membership base where they live and work.

The club’s primary premises remains the Royal Automobile Club of Australia on Macquarie Street in the Sydney CBD — one of Australia’s most distinguished institutions — where Citizen Kanebridge members continue to enjoy full access to its storied facilities at the heart of the city.

The new Norwest chapter, to be known as Citizen Kanebridge Norwest, will be developed in partnership with Momento Hospitality, with the venue’s top floor facility serving as the primary location for key events.

Norwest has emerged as one of Sydney’s fastest-growing commercial and residential corridors, increasingly home to the developers, financiers and investors at the heart of the Citizen Kanebridge community. The move places the club at the centre of the growth story many of its members are most engaged in.

“Norwest is where the city is moving,” said Ruba Jaajaa, COO of Kanebridge Media. “For a club built around property, finance and investment conversations, it’s simply the right place to be.”

For Jaajaa, the expansion carries a personal resonance as much as a strategic one.

“There is also a wonderful sense of coming full circle in bringing Citizen Kanebridge to Norwest,” she said. “More than 20 years ago, this is where the foundations of the Kanebridge Group were first developed. Returning to the area is a warm opportunity to reconnect with the enduring relationships, trusted conversations and community that have been part of the Kanebridge story since 1999.”

Membership will be offered as a dedicated tier, the Citizen Kanebridge Norwest Individual Membership, including monthly dining credits at Momento Hospitality venues and access to the Sonato global reciprocal club network, spanning more than 250 private clubs worldwide. Members will also receive digital subscriptions to Kanebridge Quarterly, Robb Report Australia & New Zealand, and The Wall Street Journal.

Further details on the launch event calendar, membership applications and transition arrangements will be announced soon.

For further information, contact Ross Blainey at concierge@citizenkanebridge.com.au.

Car of the month: The retro Ferrari still topping the charts 45 years on

The need for speed never gets old as classic sports car lovers race to the finish line in a bid to own a piece of history

Citizen Kanebridge expands into Sydney’s fast-growing Norwest corridor, bringing the club back to the region where the Kanebridge story was shaped more than two decades ago.