Description
The Ferrari 512 S was introduced in 1970 as Ferrari’s challenger in the Group 5 sports car category, built to take on the formidable Porsche 917 in the battle for endurance racing supremacy. By this time, regulations had shifted to allow 5.0-liter prototypes, and Ferrari responded with one of its most ambitious racing projects, constructing a fleet of cars in record time to meet homologation requirements. The 512 S marked Ferrari’s full commitment to reclaiming dominance in the World Sportscar Championship during one of the most competitive eras in endurance racing history.
At the core of the 512 S was a newly developed 5.0-liter V12 engine producing around 550 horsepower at 8,500 rpm. This engine, derived from Ferrari’s racing experience, was immensely powerful but also complex, with twin overhead camshafts per bank and four valves per cylinder in some configurations. Paired with a tubular spaceframe chassis and clothed in lightweight aluminum and fiberglass bodywork, the 512 S was capable of top speeds exceeding 340 km/h (210 mph). Its soundtrack, produced by the high-revving twelve-cylinder, was as unforgettable as its performance.
The car’s design was versatile, offered in both berlinetta (closed coupe) and spyder (open) configurations, depending on the demands of specific races. The berlinetta was more aerodynamically efficient for long straights, while the spyder provided better cooling and driver comfort in endurance events held in hot climates. The shape, crafted by Pininfarina and executed by Scaglietti, was low, wide, and purposeful, with muscular fenders and a dramatic stance that immediately set it apart from its rivals.
In competition, the Ferrari 512 S entered its debut season in 1970 facing Porsche’s well-prepared 917. While the 512 S showed flashes of brilliance, scoring victories at the 12 Hours of Sebring and smaller endurance events, it was often plagued by reliability issues and hampered by Ferrari’s relatively rushed development process. Porsche, with its larger budget and longer preparation, proved the more consistent force. The 512 S did, however, secure numerous podium finishes and played a central role in the epic battles of 1970 that have since become legendary, particularly in the World Sportscar Championship.
Only 25 examples of the Ferrari 512 S were built to satisfy FIA homologation rules, making it a rare and coveted machine. Several of these cars were later upgraded to 512 M specification, which improved reliability and performance, allowing Ferrari to remain competitive into 1971. Despite not toppling Porsche outright, the 512 S cemented itself as one of Ferrari’s most dramatic and charismatic racing cars.
Today, the Ferrari 512 S is celebrated as a symbol of endurance racing’s golden era. Its rarity, breathtaking design, and the intensity of its rivalry with the Porsche 917 have made it one of the most desirable Ferrari prototypes ever built. Collectors prize the 512 S not only for its performance but also for its role in one of the most storied chapters of motorsport history, when Ferrari and Porsche fought wheel-to-wheel in some of the greatest races ever run.