One of the most significant customer competition Ferraris ever built, this 1979 Ferrari 512 BB/LM is scheduled to cross the block at RM Sotheby’s Monterey Auction 2026 with an estimated value of $2.0 million to $3.5 million. Chassis 29507 is the seventh of only 25 examples produced, making it an exceptionally rare survivor of Ferrari’s legendary Berlinetta Boxer racing program.
Developed after Ferrari shifted its focus away from factory-backed sports car racing in the mid-1970s, the 512 BB/LM evolved from the road-going 512 BB into a purpose-built endurance racer. Extensive weight reduction, aerodynamic enhancements, and a race-tuned 5.0-liter flat-12 transformed the Boxer into a formidable competitor. Later “Silhouette” specifications introduced wind tunnel-developed bodywork, Lucas fuel injection producing approximately 480 horsepower, strengthened driveline components, and upgraded suspension and braking systems. These refinements helped the model achieve notable endurance racing success, including a class victory at the 1981 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Completed in November 1979, chassis 29507 began its life in the renowned collection of Swiss Ferrari enthusiast Albert Obrist before passing through a distinguished succession of knowledgeable owners in Europe and the United States. Throughout its history, the car appeared at prestigious historic racing events, concours exhibitions, and Ferrari celebrations, while also earning recognition in a May 1981 issue of Autoweek following its appearance at Riverside Raceway.
Between 2008 and 2014, the Ferrari underwent an extensive Ferrari Classiche restoration carried out under factory supervision. In 2010, it received the coveted Ferrari Classiche Red Book, confirming the authenticity of its matching-numbers engine, gearbox/transaxle, and coachwork. Subsequent inspections verified that these original components remain intact, reinforcing the car’s exceptional originality and historical integrity.
Acquired by its current owner in 2016, the BB/LM benefited from additional restoration work, including refinishing the bodywork, installing new timing belts, a replacement fuel tank, and restored five-spoke wheels. The completed refurbishment was later inspected by Michelotto, further validating the accuracy and authenticity of the restoration.
Having remained largely untouched by the racing damage that affected many of its contemporaries, this remarkably preserved 512 BB/LM stands among the finest surviving examples. Offered after 10 years of current ownership and accompanied by a model-specific road case, it represents a rare opportunity to acquire one of Ferrari’s most exclusive customer-built endurance racers and a centerpiece for premier collections, concours events, or historic motorsport participation.
