Description

The Ferrari 512 S PF Modulo was one of the most extraordinary concept cars ever created by Pininfarina, unveiled at the 1970 Geneva Motor Show. Based on the chassis of the Ferrari 512 S endurance racer, the Modulo was not intended for competition but rather as a radical design study that pushed the boundaries of automotive styling. It became an icon of futuristic car design, symbolizing both the experimental spirit of the early 1970s and Pininfarina’s creative daring.

The Modulo was built around a Ferrari 512 S racing chassis, which originally carried a 5.0-liter V12 engine capable of producing around 550 horsepower. This mid-mounted engine, derived from Ferrari’s endurance racing program, gave the Modulo its exotic underpinnings. However, the focus of the project was not outright performance but the dramatic reimagining of what a car could look like. The V12 was retained, though the car was presented more as a styling and design showcase than as a true performance machine.

Pininfarina’s design, led by Paolo Martin, was nothing short of revolutionary. The Modulo was a wedge-shaped, ultra-low body just 93 cm (36 inches) high, with wheels partially covered by bodywork and a canopy-style cockpit that slid forward to allow entry. Its proportions were extreme: a sharply pointed nose, smooth continuous surfaces, and futuristic details like 24 small round tail lamps and fully faired-in wheels. The car looked more like a spacecraft than a traditional automobile, earning immediate attention as one of the most radical show cars ever built.

Although the Modulo was never raced or intended for production, it was technically functional, and its racing-derived chassis meant it had the potential for extraordinary performance. In later years, after being acquired by collector James Glickenhaus, the car was restored to running condition, bringing its dramatic lines and screaming Ferrari V12 to life on the road for the first time.

The Ferrari 512 S Modulo remains one of the most famous and admired concept cars in history. It embodied the futuristic optimism of the early 1970s and influenced generations of designers who saw in it the possibilities of pushing beyond traditional automotive forms. More than fifty years later, its design still feels radical, cementing its place as a timeless symbol of experimentation and artistry in the collaboration between Ferrari and Pininfarina.