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Events31 October 2023 by Andreas 215 Viewed

Auto e Moto d’Epoca Bologna 2023 best of

Fiat 1100 A Cabriolet Balbo

A small cabriolet based on the Fiat 1100 A chassis built by Balbo and unveiled at the 1948 Turin Auto Salon.

Fiat 600 Berlinetta Monterosa

Unveiled at the 1956 Turin Auto Salon, this small coupé was designed by Michelotti and built by the Monterosa Coachbuilder.

Fiat 1100 E Giardinetta Viotti

A rare Giardinetta based on the Fiat 1100 E chassis built by Viotti.

Abarth 1600 Spider Allemano

The Abarth 1600 Spider Allemano was one of the first production spider made by the brand of the scorpion. It was designed by Giovanni Michelotti.

Fiat 500 Elegance Savio

The Fiat 500 Elegance, a Spiaggina designed for Savio which was the latest proposal by Mario Boano before going to manage the Fiat Styling Department. It was exhibited at the 1965 Turin Motor Show.

Touring Arese RH95

The Touring Arese RH95 Grigio Artico, the special version of the modern “fuoriserie” made by the milan coachbuilder.

Maserati Bellagio

The Maserati Bellagio Fastback, the wagon version of the Quattroporte built in only 4 speciments by Touring Superleggera.

Fiat 1100 Stella Alpina

The Fiat 1100 Stella Alpina by Carrozzeria Monviso, the flagship model of the small turin coachbuilder which was bought in the later days by Ghia.

Fiat 1100 TV Coupé Monterosa

The second Monterosa model on this list. The Fiat 1100 TV Coupé of the small turin coachbuilder is not the most elegant proposal built on the most powerful 1100 chassis.

Fiat 1500 Coupé Vignale

This Fiat 1500 Coupé was one of the last creation from Michelotti for Alfredo Vignale.

Stanguellini 1100 Berlinetta Speciale

The Stanguellini 1100 Berlinetta was born after a meeting between Nuccio Bertone and Vittorio Stanguellini. It was based on the Fiat 1100 mechanics.

Ford Mustang Zagato

The Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 Zagato, a real gem and it was surprising to see it at the Finarte stand. A one-off elaborata version made by the milan coachbuilder.

Fiat 1100 Giardinetta Sleeping

The Fiat 1100 Sleeping is basically the italian, small equivalent of the american Chevrolet Nomad, as a two door station wagon made by Viotti.

Abarth 750 Coupé Viotti

The Abarth 750 Coupé Viotti designed by Giovanni Michelotti based on the Fiat 600 chassis.

Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale

Alfa Romeo’s newest hypercar: the 33 Stradale built by Touring Superleggera in 33 speciments.

Lancia Aurelia B50 Lusso

The rare Lancia Aurelia B50 Lusso built by Pininfarina.

Fiat 1100E Coupé Vignale

This Fiat 1100 Coupé Vignale, designed by Michelotti was built in very few speciments and was unveiled at the 1953 Turin Motor Show.

the author

Andreas

Italian classic car enthusiast with German roots. Renowned as a respected figure in the classic car community, he serves as a jury member at various international concours d'elegance, including the Classic Gala Schwetzingen and Mantova. As a content creator, Andreas passionately shares his profound knowledge and appreciation for vintage automobiles. His heart beats for cars designed by Giovanni Michelotti, showcasing his discerning taste and dedication to preserving the timeless elegance of automotive history.

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Photo courtesy of Auto Storica

The Ferrari Berlinetta Boxer (BB), produced from 1973 to 1984, stands as one of Ferrari’s most radical shifts in design and engineering, thanks to the collaborative work with Pininfarina. The BB was Ferrari’s first mid-engine road car, marking a significant departure from Enzo Ferrari’s long-standing preference for front-engine designs. Its introduction signified a new chapter for Ferrari, aligning more closely with the trends set by other supercar manufacturers at the time.

Origins and Design Inspiration

Designed under the direction of Leonardo Fioravanti, the Ferrari 365 GT4 BB (the first iteration of the BB series) debuted at the 1971 Turin Auto Show, and production began in 1973. One fascinating anecdote about the car is that its “BB” initials reportedly stood for Brigitte Bardot, the famous French actress, which was a codename used during development and remained with the model​.

The BB’s design was sleek and revolutionary. It featured a wedge-shaped, low-profile body, which became a staple of 1970s supercar aesthetics. One of its unique design elements was the bicolored bodywork, with a black lower section that visually slimmed the car while emphasizing its elongated shape. Its pop-up headlights and minimalist, flowing lines were indicative of Pininfarina’s ability to combine functionality with elegance, helping the car stand out from its competitors​.

Mid-Engine Innovation

Before the BB series, Ferrari had always adhered to front-engine layouts for its road cars, famously stating, “Never put the cart before the horse.” However, the mid-engine layout, which Ferrari had already used in its Dino models, became necessary as rivals like Lamborghini began popularizing the mid-engine format in supercars.

The 512 BB (introduced in 1976) featured a 5.0-liter flat-12 engine, mounted in the middle of the car, right behind the driver, delivering 360 horsepower. While this engine was commonly referred to as a “Boxer,” it was technically a 180-degree V12, not a true Boxer engine. In a true Boxer engine, opposing pistons move in opposite directions, but in the 512 BB, they moved simultaneously in the same direction​ This flat configuration allowed for a lower center of gravity, which significantly improved the car’s handling.

Performance and Engineering Marvels

The 512 BB was more than just a stylish car—it was a high-performance machine capable of a top speed of 302 km/h (187 mph) and accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.4 seconds. The car’s engineering wasn’t just limited to its engine. It featured independent suspension on all four wheels and a sophisticated five-speed manual transmission mounted below the engine, showcasing Ferrari’s commitment to performance.

Over the years, the BB saw several iterations. The BB 512i, introduced in the early 1980s, swapped the carburetors for Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection, which lowered emissions and improved fuel efficiency without sacrificing too much power. Although the power dropped slightly to 340 hp, it remained one of the fastest road cars of its era​.

Legacy and Influence

The BB series laid the groundwork for Ferrari’s later mid-engine supercars, such as the Ferrari Testarossa, which succeeded the BB 512i in 1984. It also marked a significant shift for Ferrari, transitioning from the era of front-engine grand tourers to mid-engine supercars.

Today, the Ferrari Berlinetta Boxer remains a prized collector’s item. Its combination of cutting-edge design by Pininfarina, revolutionary mid-engine layout, and Ferrari’s racing heritage makes it one of the most iconic cars in the brand’s history. With only 387 units produced of the original 365 GT4 BB, and slightly more of the later 512 BB and BB 512i models, its rarity further solidifies its place in the pantheon of classic supercars.

The Ferrari BB, both for its groundbreaking design and engineering, represents one of Ferrari’s most influential models. Its innovations in the mid-engine supercar market, coupled with Pininfarina’s masterful styling, continue to captivate enthusiasts and collectors to this day.

Which Ferrari model is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!

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