Tips20 March 2024 by Team 542 Viewed

Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera: the book

The history of Touring is described in this book by Giovanni Bianchi Anderloni, grandson of the founder using the Bianchi Anderloni family archives and with the support of the national archives, as well as vintage magazines.

For all lovers of vintage cars, Carrozzeria Touring is synonymous with elegance, sophistication and aerodynamic efficiency.

The Superleggera Berlinetta, the Barchetta Ferrari, and the Disco Volante are just three examples that represent the achievements of the famous Milanese designer who was born in 1926.

Other cars featured in the book are the Alfa Romeos – the 6C 1750 Flying Star, the 6C 2300 Mille Miglia, the 8C 2300 and 2900, the Sprint 1900 and 2000, and the 2600 Spider, the 3500 GT Maserati, the first Lamborghinis (350 GT and 400 GT), the Lancias, including the Lancia Flaminia, and many other major brands (Isotta Fraschini, Fiat, Bianchi, Ansaldo, OM, Mercedes). These are cars that have all won both in concours d’élégance and on the track. Also covered is the period of Carlo Felice Anderloni who led the Alfa Romeo Centro Stile.

Published by Fucina S.r.l., the book is available online here

Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera
By Giovanni Bianchi Anderloni
Published by Fucina S.r.l.
245mm x 280mm
755 pages
Hardback, 2 volume set

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Since 2019, carrozzieri-italiani.com have curated the ultimate database showcasing the finest Italian coachbuilders. Immerse yourself in a world of timeless design, precision engineering, and the rich heritage of Italy's automotive excellence.

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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!