Rare RHD Ferrari 512 BBi Painstakingly Restored

While many people dream of finding a rare exotic car like this Ferrari 512 BBi stashed away on the owner’s property and rescuing it, the reality isn’t quite so romantic. A YouTuber has documented the process of getting this 1-of-42 RHD versions of the car and the only one made in white cleaned up and running well.

Here’s how you offend Ferrari and Ford fans at the same time.

The YouTuber found this rare Ferrari just sitting disabled and filthy in the owner’s driveway. It took him three years to negotiate a purchase, demonstrating that barn find hunting isn’t for the impatient.

After all, you’re dealing with people who have held onto a vehicle for years, sometimes decades, with some deep need met by keeping it on hand even though it’s not being driven. Overcoming whatever keeps them from letting go can be quite the wrestling match requiring a gentle hand.

But with the 512 BBi in his possession, this guy got to work cleaning it up, which went surprisingly well. Underneath all the grime is wonderfully well-preserved paint. The interior was dusty but in excellent condition.

However, the mechanicals were a completely different story. The magical mechanical fuel-injected flat-12 engine had some serious problems with compression. Part of the solution involves spending about £2,500 on gaskets alone – welcome to the reality of classic Ferrari ownership.

There are plenty of other costs, from fresh components to powder coating old parts, and hiring professionals to perform work the owner wasn’t comfortable or competent enough to do himself. Even with some shops doing work free of charge, getting exposure from this guy’s YouTube channel.

As the project edged closer to completion, and with the interior unrestored, the YouTuber disclosed he had spent about £80,000. That’s a large sum for many, but it’s unsurprising considering the car is a Ferrari. Still, this proves owning an exotic is expensive, despite some car YouTubers trying to sell some fantasy that they cost as much as a Camry to maintain.

Images via Ratarossa/YouTube