Ferrari 512 BB Twin Turbo by Koenig: A One-Off 653 HP Masterpiece
Turbo Legend - Speed has always had a way of bending the rules. In the 1980s, when Ferrari was busy building refined grand tourers and elegant supercars, a few brave souls dared to ask what might happen if those machines were pushed past the limits Maranello itself was willing to set. One of those visionaries was Willy Koenig, a German racing driver who swapped the track for the workshop and began creating some of the most radical tuned Ferraris ever to roam the streets. His company, Koenig-Specials, became infamous for turning thoroughbreds into fire-breathing monsters, and among his wildest creations stands a single car that feels less like a machine and more like a legend: the Ferrari 512 BB Twin Turbo by Koenig.
The 1978 Ferrari 512 BB Twin Turbo by Koenig. (Picture from: ClassicDriver)
Built in 1978 and transformed almost immediately, this 512 BB was no ordinary Berlinetta Boxer. It first left Ferrari’s Bolzano dealership in Italy and was quickly sent to Koenig in Munich, where the original upgrades already set it apart: a widebody kit, reworked suspension, Campagnolo wheels, and a carbureted flat-12 tuned to 450 horsepower. That alone would have been enough to make it faster and sharper than anything Ferrari sold new at the time.
The 1978 Ferrari 512 BB Twin Turbo by Koenig. (Picture from: ClassicDriver)
But the car’s story didn’t stop there. In 1986, it returned to Koenig’s workshop for its true metamorphosis: reinforced internals, fuel injection, and a pair of Rajay turbochargers. The result was an astonishing 653 horsepower — a figure that, in the mid-80s, was the stuff of science fiction. And unlike today’s supercars with layers of electronic safety systems, this Koenig 512 BB delivered all that fury raw, with no traction control or digital filters. It demanded skill, respect, and a taste for adrenaline.
The 1978 Ferrari 512 BB Twin Turbo by Koenig. (Picture from: ClassicDriver)
For years, it prowled German and Spanish roads before finding refuge in Switzerland. There, emissions regulations kept it from regular registration, but that didn’t stop early morning blasts through Alpine passes on dealer plates. Later, a British collector acquired the car and recognized its importance. He entrusted it to Ferrari experts Hoyle Fox, who spent five painstaking years restoring and refining it between 2015 and 2020. Every nut, every gasket, every detail was checked and perfected, ensuring that this beast wasn’t just a relic of the past but a living, breathing machine ready for modern roads.
The 1978 Ferrari 512 BB Twin Turbo by Koenig. (Picture from: ClassicDriver)
Despite its wild performance credentials, the car surprises anyone who peers inside. The cabin isn’t a stripped-down racer’s cockpit but a comfortable environment lined with leather and suede. Classic Veglia gauges sit alongside discreetly integrated boost dials, while a hidden fire system hints at its racing DNA. Outside, the Rosso Corsa paintwork gleams over flawlessly aligned widebody panels, giving it presence without a hint of corrosion or compromise.
The 1978 Ferrari 512 BB Twin Turbo by Koenig. (Picture from: ClassicDriver)
What elevates this Koenig Ferrari beyond a rare machine is its impeccable documentation. The original Koenig Certificate of Origin still accompanies it, alongside a fully stamped Ferrari service book, manuals, ownership history, invoices, and period publications. Its reputation has taken it beyond garages too — it has appeared in Classic & Sports Car magazine and stood proudly at Salon Privé, one of the most respected concours events in the world.
The 1978 Ferrari 512 BB Twin Turbo by Koenig. (Picture from: ClassicDriver)
Take it on the road, and the story comes alive. The clutch is heavy, the steering telegraphs every surface, and the suspension feels firm but far from punishing. The moment the turbos spool, however, everything changes. The car lunges forward with an immediacy that feels feral, turning every straight into a drag strip and every gear change into an event. It’s raw, visceral driving — the kind of experience that strips away the years and reminds you what a supercar was always meant to be: demanding, rewarding, and utterly unforgettable. | DIanpA7SxOo |
Today, the Ferrari 512 BB Twin Turbo by Koenig exists as a true one-of-one masterpiece. It represents the audacity of a tuner who believed Ferrari could be pushed further, the patience of collectors who preserved it, and the thrill of a machine that still has the power to scare and seduce in equal measure. More than four decades since it was born, it continues to defy convention — proof that some legends aren’t just remembered, they roar back to life every time the key is turned. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARSCOOPS | CLASSICDRIVER ]
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Ferrari 512 BB Twin Turbo by Koenig: A One-Off 653 HP Masterpiece
But the car’s story didn’t stop there. In 1986, it returned to Koenig’s workshop for its true metamorphosis: reinforced internals, fuel injection, and a pair of Rajay turbochargers. The result was an astonishing 653 horsepower — a figure that, in the mid-80s, was the stuff of science fiction. And unlike today’s supercars with layers of electronic safety systems, this Koenig 512 BB delivered all that fury raw, with no traction control or digital filters. It demanded skill, respect, and a taste for adrenaline. 
Today, the Ferrari 512 BB Twin Turbo by Koenig exists as a true one-of-one masterpiece. It represents the audacity of a tuner who believed Ferrari could be pushed further, the patience of collectors who preserved it, and the thrill of a machine that still has the power to scare and seduce in equal measure. More than four decades since it was born, it continues to defy convention — proof that some legends aren’t just remembered, they roar back to life every time the key is turned. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARSCOOPS | CLASSICDRIVER ]
