Wanderlust

Tag: MY1977

  • ‘Unique’ Ferrari 512BB ‘Wide Body’ Headed to H&H Auction in UK

    ‘Unique’ Ferrari 512BB ‘Wide Body’ Headed to H&H Auction in UK

    • Ultra-low mileage, one owner 1977 Ferrari 512 BB ‘Wide Body’ set for auction
    • The unique commission benefits from a host of bespoke cosmetic and mechanical enhancements
    • Estimated at £150,000-£170,000, it will go under the hammer with H&H Classics on Wednesday 9th April

    [source: H&H Classcs Ltd]

    A one-owner, exclusive commission 1977 Ferrari 512 BB ‘Wide Body’ with just 6,000 miles from new is going under the hammer with H&H Classics at its first Cambridgeshire auction of 2025.

    Estimated at £150,000-£170,000, it is thought to be unique among the 101 UK-supplied right hand drive examples and will be auctioned on Wednesday 9th April at the Imperial War Museum in Duxford.

    The eye-catching model has been uprated with wider wheels, various engine modifications and reshaped bodywork by supplying dealer Maranello Concessionaires. It has been maintained by Vince Mezzullo, a Maranello employee who bonded with the owner over their shared Sicilian ancestry, both during and after his time at the renowned dealership.

    Finished in Rosso Chiaro with black hide and carpets, it has also benefitted from reworked front and rear aluminium clamshells plus reprofiled B-to-C-post sections and enlarged NACA cooling ducts.

    John Markey, motorcar specialist at H&H Classics, said: “This Ferrari ‘Wide Body’ was commissioned by a serial Ferrari owner and while other Ferrari’s came and went, and not to mention other high-performance machines, this Prancing Horse always remained in his collection as a firm favourite.”

    Now being offered for sale by his wife, this example is reputedly inspired by the factory sanctioned 512 BB Competizione cars which were campaigned by Charles Pozzi and NART at the 1978 Le Mans 24-hours.

    John added: “This ‘Wide Body’ enjoys a host of bespoke cosmetic and mechanical enhancements and has been in ownership of the Morello family from new. It is a unique BB and has ultra-low mileage, making it worthy of close inspection.”

    All lots will be available to view in person at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford from midday on Tuesday 8th and from 9am on Wednesday 9th April, while the sale then commences at 1pm. Anyone looking to bid on one of the lots can do so in person, online, by telephone or by leaving a commission bid.

    For more details about any of the cars or to register to bid, visit www.handh.co.uk.

    About H&H Classics Ltd.
    Established in 1993, H&H Classics is the longest continually trading specialist automotive auction house in the UK and Europe. With centuries of collective market expertise in the classic and collector vehicle industry, H&H Classics prides itself on delivering the highest levels of service to its buyers and sellers, ensuring an experience which is easy and enjoyable.
     
    Over the past 32 years, H&H Classics has achieved world record prices for classic motorcycles, cars, and competition cars such as a 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB, 1968 Lotus 49B, 1996 Subaru Impreza WRC, as well as royal cars including Queen Elizabeth II’s Daimler, Prince Phillip’s Lagonda and Princess Anne’s Bentley.
     
    To find out more about H&H Classics, upcoming auctions or for enquiries, please visit www.handh.co.uk

    Useful Links
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  • Euro Market Find: Period Tuner 1977 Mercedes-Benz SL 280 in Cayenne Orange

    Euro Market Find: Period Tuner 1977 Mercedes-Benz SL 280 in Cayenne Orange

    What: 1977 Mercedes Benz SL 280 built by BB Manufaktur
    Color: Cayenne Orange (cayenneorange; non-metallic UNI; 406; Mercedes-Benz)
    VIN: UD | F10095
    Mileage: 17,500 km
    Price at Time of this Writing: €61,990
    CarFax: N/A
    MonroneyLabels.com Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: Nuremberg, Germany
    Dealer listing: Auto Zitzmann GmbH

    Why we love it:

    While the third-generation Mercedes-Benz SL (C107) isn’t hasn’t proven as graceful at aging as the second-generation W113 Pagoda, it has come into its own as 80s cars begin to bask in the glow of Radwood and other Reagan era automotive celebration. Technically though, cars like this 1977 SL 280 pre-date the 80s/90s cut-off of an event like Radwood, but if you can talk your way through the entry line then we think you’d have a good chance at winning with a car like this example. Built by BB Tuning, Rainer Buchmann Frankfurt-based customization shop that built some of the wildest cars you might see, and with a heavy focus on Porsche and Mercedes-Benz.

    Interestingly, this is a stock period correct Mercedes-Benz color. Like the build itself, Cayenne Orange appears to be peak trendy and bordering on kitsch-cool back in the late 1970s. In some ways it was so unique that it aged out quickly and today is undoubtedly cool… even if ironically so.

    And speaking of both ironic cool and period trendy, that’s probably the best way to describe how BB Tuning builds such as this car remain today. Likely largely untouched from the day it finished its aftermarket tailored build by BB Tuning, the car commands a presence and a premium well above its bone-stock period counterparts… probably even over pristine Cayenne Orange examples.

    Look past the Cayenne Orange paint and color-matched BBS wheels and you’ll find a most interesting interior. Tailored in marbled leather, popular at the time but seldom seen today, it’s not exactly tasteful by today’s standards, but it’s so period and unique that we have no doubt the new owner will love it just the same.

    Embracing the period theme even more so is the audio system with components by Blaupunkt. Given the anemic audio comping from the factory at that time, aftermarket stereos were virtually required on builds such as this. Brands like Blaupunkt led the way in the German aftermarket, and this system is based on a Monza head unit with no less than 12 speakers throughout the marbled leather cabin.

    Okay, this car’s not for everybody. But, we suspect if you get it then you’ll probably want to get it.