The Forgotten Ferrari You Need to Know: A Rare 1983 512 BBi Koenig Specials Heads to Auction

A rare 1983 Ferrari 512 BBi, transformed by the legendary German tuner Koenig Specials, is about to go under the hammer. With fewer than 30 units ever built, this stunning example is a true collector’s dream.

Back in the 1980s, if you wanted a Ferrari that looked and performed even wilder, there was only one place to go: Koenig Specials. The German tuning house became famous for creating outrageously powerful versions of Europe’s finest machines — and the Ferrari 512 BBi Koenig was among its most spectacular creations.

Koenig’s upgrades boosted the flat-12 engine’s output from 340 to 450 horsepower, thanks to new pistons, camshafts, a revised exhaust system and detailed tuning work. These modifications didn’t come cheap — they cost nearly half the price of a new Ferrari at the time — but the results were dramatic. The tuner also added stiffer springs and thicker anti-roll bars, though the ventilated disc brakes remained unchanged. Ferrari itself claimed the 512 BBi Koenig could reach 302 km/h (188 mph), an astonishing figure for its era.

Distinctive design with unmistakable Koenig flair

The example heading to Bonhams’ upcoming auction showcases a number of unique exterior tweaks: a front air-dam spoiler, NACA ducts ahead of the rear wheel arches, four taillights instead of six, and revised air intakes. Even the tyres are 2.5 centimetres wider than the factory fitment. Inside, Koenig replaced the fixed bucket seats with multi-adjustable units, keeping the rest of the cabin largely original.

Finished in Rosso Corsa with a Nero leather interior, this 512 BBi Koenig perfectly blends Italian elegance with German engineering audacity. Originally delivered to a dealer in Germany, it later made its way to North America before being acquired by its current owner in 2015. Since then, it has been preserved in a climate-controlled storage facility for the past decade.

A mix of history, madness, and exclusivity

The car isn’t flawless — after ten years off the road, it will need a full mechanical inspection before hitting the tarmac again — but visually, it remains in remarkably well-preserved condition. The paint retains its shine, the interior is in excellent shape, and only minor scuffs can be found on the underside.

This car represents an era when power, excess and individuality defined the supercar world — a time when a Ferrari could be both an artwork and a statement of defiance. Today, the Koenig 512 BBi stands as a bold reminder that even in Maranello’s shadow, some legends are born twice.