Description
This car is Lot 163 to be auctioned by Bonhams|Cars at the Goodwood Members' Meeting Sale on the 13th April, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Public Viewing:
Available Saturday 12th April from 09:00 until 17:00 and Sunday 13 April from 09:00, at Goodwood Members' Meeting.
Lot 163
The Geneva Motor Show Car
1979 Ferrari 512 Berlinetta Boxer
Registration no. SUI 6716
Chassis no. 27271
Delivered new via Zurich to the USA
Brought to the UK in 2011
Present ownership since 2011
Preserved in climate-controlled static display
According to the original owner, '27271' was prepared by the Ferrari factory as the 1979 Geneva Show Car. The original service book confirms it was delivered new through AutoDino AG of Zurich to Fratelli Rigatto Import/ Export of Brooklyn, New York. The vehicle data production sheet from Ferrari Classiche in the file confirms it was delivered in April 1979 via Geneva finished in Rosso Chiaro with beige leather interior.
The Ferrari entered the USA on 17th April 1979 at JFK airport having been imported by one J P Fleisig. Handwritten notes in the car's file confirm that the first owner was Nastase Racing of New York, and that the second was the Nelkin Racing organisation. On 10th May 1982 the Ferrari was sold to Al Mohr, who sold it on 9th October that year to Mr Bavor, the previous keeper. Mr Bavor had purchased the car with 12, 826 km on the odometer in October 1982 (invoice on file). According to the paperwork, a California smog certificate was supplied with the car and it was registered as '1FQM123'. Mr Bavor kept the Ferrari in a climate-controlled garage until it was sold in 2011 to our vendor, who imported it into the UK. At his time of purchase the car had covered 20, 345 kilometres (12, 642 miles). It was advertised as having just completed an engine-out mechanical refresh costing $25, 000.
At the time of our vendor's purchase, the dealer's advertisement stated: "All means possible have been used to maintain it in its original condition by its perfectionist owner of 29 years. In those years, it has never been in the rain, had any damage, or been exposed to long-term heat or sunlight. It has never been driven, washed, or waxed by anyone but this owner. Paint, glass, rubber, interior leather, carpets are just as they were when the car left the factory." The text may be found in the history file. It is noted that at this time the car was supplied with the owner's diary recording every mile travelled in it from 1982; sadly, this document never made it to the UK.
Registered as 'SUI 6716' on its arrival in the UK, the Ferrari has since formed part of the vendor's static collection, being kept in a climate-controlled glass display garage within the vendor's garden. In June 2022 the car was sent to a UK specialist for a thorough inspection, fresh tyres and engine-out service and cam belt change at a cost of £8, 280 (invoice on file). Having covered minimal mileage since (odometer displays 21, 529 km), this highly original and well-presented Motor Show Berlinetta Boxer, with only a handful of owners from new, is worthy of close inspection.
All lots are sold 'as is/ where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding. Visit the Bonhams|Cars website for all pertinent auction information.
