The official color for a silver Ferrari from the era in which this Berlinetta Boxer (BB) was built is Argenta Nurburgring. It’s certainly a mouthful, but as it relates to the paint codes the BB was offered in, it’s also one of the rarer colors you can find. According to various forum posts in the Ferrari enthusiast community, the color scheme accounts for less than 10 percent of all BB’s built, which makes a rare car even more exclusive. This particular BB is a desirable early model with the carbureted engine and is said to require mechanical and cosmetic sorting before being driven regularly.
Another detail that stands out regarding the color scheme is the monotone appearance. Most of these BBs seemingly left the factory with dark gray cladding on the lower doors and bumpers, which helped create some visual contrast between the upper and lower panels. However, after searching for examples of other BBs in this color, it seems at least a handful were painted like this one, with the upper and lower portions of the body painted one shade. Still, the cove in front of the rear wheels should be black and not finished in matching paint, so there’s some further detective work needed. I’m also curious if the rear suspension is sitting higher than usual.
The black interior is a definite selling feature here, as many Ferrari collectors will likely prefer this over a tan or camel-colored cockpit. What’s fascinating to me is that this Boxer was clearly treated like a driver. For an exceedingly limited-production model that has long been a collector’s item, it’s unusual to say the least to see the tired leather and rumpled carpets. The seller does not provide an odometer reading so it’s hard to say exactly how much of this wear and tear is from being used versus being neglected, but the condition of the interior suggests that a full reconditioning will likely need to be performed to bring this BB up to the standards of most collectors.
A 5.0L flat-12 with dry sump lubrication was good for 360 horsepower and a 0-60 run of around 5.5 seconds. The seller’s car will likely need an engine-out servicing to start, not to mention extensive cleaning and detailing. Like all things vintage and Italian, good work doesn’t come cheap, nor do spare parts. I have heard the differentials are incredibly difficult to replace if in need of repair, so keeping an ear open for any odd drivetrain noises once it’s running will be key. The overall sentiment is that these are strong engines, so hopefully this BB is a runner once a basic assessment and tune-up can be performed. Find it here on eBay for $189,500.
Pretty scuzzy car for the asking price, and yes the rear is way to high. A pretty solid investigation of the engine and transmission is required based on the condition of the rest of the car. It might cost the buyer more than the asking price to fix flaws in the running gear.
Gullwing Motors.
Located in: Astoria, New York
Do not walk, but run away!!
They were in an episode of Chasing Classic cars. I think it was when Wayne Carini & the owner of Gullwing Motors purchased a Gullwing Mercedes together. It was in really poor neglected condition.
These are fantastic cars but this one has some major red flags. That rear ride height is way too high. The dusty engine and crusty interior and the nuts missing on the air filter assemblies to start. This one unfortunately just visually screams proceed with caution, money pit. Best to see this one in person.
It amazes me that someone who is selling a car and expecting to get that type of money cannot invest a little money and have the car detailed. A clean interior and engine compartment makes a good first impression to potential buyers.
that’s the Gullwing way ………it’s a pity really, as these are/can be awesome cars.
There is a guy in Canada that restores them and is a wealth of knowledge on the Ferrarichat web site.
I remember as a youngster about 18 years old my best friend and I took our gf’s on an overnight trip to Cincinnati [Kings Island] and after dinner the night before we were walking back to the hotel.
There was a small car lot on the corner which had a couple 308’s and others while the standout car was a Boxer just sitting there. I was flabbergasted that I was standing in front of a car I had only previously read about in Car&Driver etc.
They are a lot smaller than they look on the computer screen, I have been a fan ever since.
The door cards on this one look like the door cards on the earlier 365 Boxers.
All Boxers were grey market, and I used to drool over the ads in the back of Hemmings, listing the cars imported and then the guys run out of money or time to federalize, and say car must go, sigh too young and always the bridesmaid, lol
Gullwing Motors has been around since the days when Auto Locator was a serious must read. It doesn’t look like their offerings have improved, nor has their pricing. From what I’ve heard, any buyer should expect to pay at least that much again to get it right.
Gullwing= ripoff.
If Magnum PI had an older cousin, this would be that car.
At least Peter has air in the tires in this sale
(Sigh…….)
I can’t be specific, but it was probably 20 years ago when I was sneaking up on buying one of these. A very reputable local dealer had one for sale in yellow – nobody wanted it. It was in near perfect condition, and IIRC the ask was about US$80k – I figured I might be able to get it for somewhere in the $70s….
Alas, it was too much scratch when we were just starting a family, etc. I just couldn’t pull the trigger. Haunts me to this day…
best
bt
Man, that is 400 grand today. What did you do for a living, sell black market kidneys? I thought my new 72 Duster was spluging.
Hehehe. Well, I enrolled in police college but declined to go as I felt I wouldn’t be good enough at it. Began to go down the route of an automotive mechanic but then snuck into university as an English major, figuring I could teach eventually. Before I started I changed schools (allowed me to leave home) and studied economics for a couple years, then managed to get into business school. Eventually, it became clear that while I wasn’t good at math, I was good at finance (there is relatively little math in finance actually). Tripped into an uber junior investment banking job via my ex-wife’s friend’s uncle. When I was looking at the Ferrari, I was doing pretty well, had no kids, and my (second, still, and final) wife had a great job as well. Funny how things turn out – its been an interesting ride…..
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bt
similar story here, I would say late 80’s early 90’s I had discovered all the regulars on the web of Ferrari goodness, including Ferrarichat and Mike Sheehan’s site. he had a blue boxer for sale, and I commented on it on Ferrarichat, and was told he wanted it gone and it could be had for $45,000……I contemplated selling my boat to buy it, but in the end I knew I didn’t have the income to keep it and make it perfect.
Now I too regret that decision
100% positive feedback on Ebay (but as a buyer). Really makes you wonder about the value of feedback, huh?
My favorite Ferrari, on Kumar’s ebay list, mileage and title are blank, how this abused pup wasn’t rescued before ending up in his kennel,would be an interesting tail.
i like it very much better this way than under the other paint. In fact the deck lid and black up near the roof above it can go silver as well for me.
Best pic are above the belt line and far enuff away for whole car frames (so the above 2nd is really poor for me).
5.5 sec for 60MPHs sounds slo so 45 yrs has improved things I’d say. Cut that in half? And 12 cyl is not needed to do it.
Those have dual shocks in the rear…and (iirc) it’s Koni that will need a specialty rebuilder like Truechoice in Ohio (is Phil still there ? – is Truechoice still there ???). Bet it’s got 1 or more stuck shocks that have the back-end all jacked up. OR…somebody installed something from Autozone to replace the original design/spec shocks.
Since it’s a BB and not a BBi…who wants to take on the challenge of all those Webers ? Brave man, if you can find one….
The unknown mileage and lack of maintenance is worrying. If it was documented and in collectible condition it would be worth half a million in Europe.
Looks like he’s got the air shocks pumped up in the back. All it needs now is a pair of Cragers and N-50 tires. Before someone starts throwing me grief, it’s a joke.
Ferrari’s are so far off my radar I clicked on this just to see if this was one of those 50,000 dollar ones or a million. Jaguar is as exotic as I get.
Jesus. That poor car. Why would anyone install a lift kit on a Ferrari? $189k for this poor abused soul is incredibly optimistic. And it will actually take a lot more than that to make it whole again. Breaks my heart to see such a once beautiful car driven into the ground.