Yard Art Project: 1980 Ferrari 512 BB

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There’s no limit to what type of cars and projects end up on eBay, and as the price tag for a vintage Ferrari has continued to escalate, it’s no surprise we’ve ended up here. These are the charred remains of a desirable Ferrari 512 BB, with no engine, transaxle, chassis, interior, glass, or exterior trim. In another time, there’d be no reason to even give a second look to the remains spit out by the metal shredder after the insurance had been paid out, but someone decided to take the bread crumbs leftover from the Berlinetta Boxer flambé and toss them up here on eBay to see if anyone wants a new garage display or piece of yard art.

There’s no reserve on this auction (thank God) and bidding is just over $200. Whatever put this formerly-desirable 512 BB into this state of decay had to have been nothing short of an epic fireball, as the burnt areas are extensive. The fire seemingly consumed the whole length of the car, sparing the doors in the process. Of course, knowing Ferraris have a tendency to spontaneously combust, this one could have self-ignited or been in a position to self-ignite after a repair gone wrong. The door on the driver’s side has been cut with a chunk of metal now missing. The same flaw is not present on the passenger side.

It’s sort of shocking anyone took anything off of this Ferrari given how far its fallen past the point of reasonable restoration. If the engine bay ignited, there’s next to no chance of finding a charred mill to go along with this 512, but it would be interesting to see if it was restored and sold as a genuine BB engine with its VIN numbers still attached. If a previous owner bought the car back from the insurance company, perhaps he or she saw a long-term opportunity where this burnt-out carcass would pay for the storage fees while the drivetrain would certainly fetch a fair price in whatever era it was sold in (if it survived the fire).

Given the devastation we see here, however, I have my doubts anything survived beyond the remains of the body structure. The value of a car like this is so high that even the burnt-out seats could be valuable as molds, but given the fire doesn’t appear to have been isolated to one section of the car, there’s a good chance nothing was left worth saving. In the case, I don’t think the current bid would justify the years of lugging this thing around between house moves or finding a storage yard to keep it in, but I will be curious to see what the next owner does to justify keeping this crusty carcass on the front lawn.

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Comments

  1. CadmanlsMember

    Oh my what a waste of energy just moving it.

    Like 13
  2. Bluetec320 Bluetec320

    I cannot believe that people are actually bidding on this stripped down carcass of a carcass. There comes a time, even with really cool and rare cars, that there is nothing left to pick from, and what is left should be recycled into something new. I believe that is the place where this car is today.

    Like 15
  3. Joe Machado

    What rust an ounce?
    Before I bid, on a need to not know basis.
    Ran when rusted

    Like 2
  4. Steve R

    The horror, someone actually bid $207 on the remains of a Ferrari. For that, they get a conversation piece than can be hung on a wall or rafters, it’s far cheaper than many vintage automotive themed signs and posters, taking a family to a professional sporting event (if you include parking, food and souvenirs), a night out, the list nearly endless of other ways to spend that much with little or no lasting return. It’s not a big enough deal to get worked up about.

    Steve R

    Like 14
    • Gary

      Rich people smirk and laugh at “the little people” who buy things like this.

      Like 8
      • Steve R

        If that’s the case with your buddy’s you need to find better friends.

        Steve R

        Like 3
    • Dave

      Oh, c’mon! If this pile was a Charger or Challenger bidding would be north of $20,000 by now.

      Like 13
  5. Marc

    “Box her” and bury her

    Like 6
  6. Joe Machado

    Very rare, only one in this, aaa, shape.
    Be the first on your block, I mean town, I mean county, I mean state, I mean country, I mean your world, I mean your universe.

    Well, I never

    Like 2
    • martinsane

      Lol. Funny. 1 of 1 car it is… snicker.

      Like 0
  7. Michael

    Ran when sparked.

    Like 20
    • TerryC

      Too soon….😉

      Like 0
    • TerryC

      Too Soon 😉

      Like 0
  8. Greg Cozzi

    I’m thinking about bidding on it. I owned a BB512 once….

    Like 0
  9. 1st Gear

    Burst into flames due to previous owner was not a true enthusiastic driver

    Like 0
  10. RIP

    Bragging Rites………..”At least i have a FERRARI……..LOL

    Like 3
  11. RallyAce

    That is the start of a good Rat Rod. Mount it on an S-10 chassis with a small block Chevy and four wheel drive and you will have the most reliable and cheapest to repair “Ferrari” in town.

    Like 3
  12. CarbuzzardMember

    There’s an old joke that the right Ferrari will be rebuilt from the number plate. Maybe the joke has become reality.

    Or maybe this is your chance to Own A Ferrari

    Like 2
  13. Greg Cozzi

    Ex body and paint guy here. Have had several Ferrari’s in the past including a BB512. The body is very interesting to me :-)

    Like 0
  14. Steven RM

    The E-Bay ad has 68 pictures. You have to wonder about that.

    Like 5
  15. Charles Sawka

    Nobody looked up the VIN ? C’mon people get with it. You never know this might be # 77 of 245 that were built with a steel fuel line too close to a suspension part.

    Like 2
  16. Howie Mueler

    So i will guess it is not running?

    Like 3
  17. ninja3000

    I’d buy it for yard art, if the guy who lit the match will autograph it for me.

    Like 1
  18. t-bone BOB

    Item location:
    Lutz, Florida

    Like 1
  19. nlpnt

    I’d say to LS swap it but I’m not sure if there’s enough left to attach it. Maybe if you used the full frame from the donor pickup.

    Like 0
  20. Howie Mueler

    Sold $410.99 7 bids.

    Like 3
    • Bluetec320 Bluetec320

      Lol!

      Like 0
  21. t-bone BOB

    Ended:
    Jul 09, 2021
    Winning bid:
    US $410.99
    [ 7 bids ]

    Really?

    Like 1
  22. Dallas

    “A good fire extinguisher,” Bob mused, casually lighting a cigarette, “but certainly not a great fire extinguisher.”

    Like 1
  23. Ward William

    I can actually see a use for this at a couple of hundred Benjamins.

    For a home builder with good welding skills who wants to make a decent replica frame, this would make a good template to to take measurements for cutting steel and for use as a model.

    Like 0
  24. Eric B

    I didn’t see if it included a title. If no, it is truly just a bunch of rusted metal for $410. But with a title, OMG the possibilities are endless. And with a title you can say “I own a Ferrari”. Without a title you can say “I own a bunch of scrap metal that originated in Italy”.

    Like 0

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