Just 387 Ferrari 365 GT4 BB's were made from 1973 to 1976 with the model continuing in production first in 512BB and then 512 BBi guise until 1984.
Designed to replace the front engine Daytona and rival the technically more complex Lambourghini Muira with its transverse V12 mounted behind the driver, the 365 GT4 BB features a 180 degree V12 developed from the 60 degree V12 Daytona, not a boxer as the model name would suggest, mounted longitudinally behind the driver.
None of the 365 GT4 BB's were originally sold in America by Ferrari as Enzo would not sanction the cost of federalisation, though a few are now in US ownership.
With it's 344 prancing horses pulling at maximum capacity it is thought the 365 GT4 BB was capable of over 185 mph.
Hope you have enjoyed today's 70's edition of 'Gettin a lil' psycho on tyres' and that you'll join me again tomorrow for some 1950's Girl Power and an OSCA. Don't forget to come back now !
Why do they call 180-degree engines "Boxer" engines?
ReplyDeleteDefinitive answer not available Racer, maybe some one in marketing at Maranello did not know the difference ?
ReplyDeleteThis one doesn't tickle my fancy as much (body style-wise). But, it's still cool! Yay for Ferrari Fridays!
ReplyDeleteMaybe we should rename today Fussy Friday ! :-)
ReplyDeleteThe moniker “boxer” refers to the piston timing of an engine, rather than the direction the cylinders point. On the Ferrari 512, the crankshaft isn’t a true boxer crankshaft – it is a V-12 crankshaft with the cylinders laid flat. Here’s why:
ReplyDeleteTrue boxers have one crankpin controlling only one piston/cylinder, and 180° engines share crankpins.
A true “boxer” (horizontally opposed engine) has corresponding pistons reaching top dead center simultaneously.
A 180° V-12 engine has piston pairs sharing a crank pin on the crankshaft and reaching top dead center half a crankshaft revolution apart. Most flat 12s are actually 180° V engines, including the Ferrari discussed here and the famous Porsche 917 racecar.
http://www.ferraricraft.com March 1, 2010
Top research marks JC you certainly know your top dead centre's when you see them :-)
ReplyDeleteI understand the differences between the flat 180 degree engines vs the boxer, but I still don't get why they call the boxer engines "boxer". Where does that term come from? Is it like the Wankel engines? Was there a Mr. Boxer?
ReplyDeleteThe name derives from the fact that each pair of pistons moves simultaneously in and out like a boxer clashing his gloves togther before a fight, I do not know of anyone who is credited with coining the term, so I guess Karl Benz who patended the first 'boxer' in 1896 might well be responsible.
ReplyDelete