Ferrari
512 S

Why it matters

The 512 S was Ferrari's 5-litre sports-prototype for the 1970-71 Manufacturers' Championship, built in about three months by a team under Mauro Forghieri. It used an all-alloy four-valve V12 and a tubular spaceframe derived from the P4 and 612. It won at Sebring and Kyalami.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Photos

Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.

• Ferrari 512 S (Wikimedia Commons: Ferrari 512 S)
  Photo: Charles from Port Chester, New York · CC0 1.0
• Ferrari 512 S (Wikimedia Commons: Ferrari 512 S)
  Photo: Charles from Port Chester, New York · CC0 1.0
• Ferrari 512 S (Wikimedia Commons: Ferrari 512 S)
  Photo: Charles from Port Chester, New York · CC0 1.0
• Ferrari 512 S (Wikimedia Commons: Ferrari 512 S)
  Photo: Lothar Spurzem · CC BY-SA 2.0

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

The 512 S combined an almost five-litre all-alloy V12 with four valves per cylinder and a spaceframe developed from the P4 and the 612. Giacomo Caliri designed the polycarbonate bodywork, chosen for lightness. It was built as both a berlinetta and a spider and raced in the 1970 and 1971 Manufacturers' World Championship, with wins at Sebring and Kyalami.

Technical specifications

Engine

Transmission & drivetrain

Chassis, body & dimensions

Performance

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

The 512 S chassis numbers run in the even 1000 series, starting with 1002, and several of the cars were later converted to 512 M specification, which blurs the line between the two. A number of plates have an unusual history: chassis 1008 was destroyed in 1971 and its plate was kept, 1032 was assembled from three purchased cars, and re-created cars are reported on the identities 1032, 1034 and 1038. A claimed 512 S therefore needs its full chassis and race history checked against the factory record, not just the plate.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

1. 1
   RM Sotheby's Paris 2025 – 1970 Ferrari 512 M (chassis 1030) Level B

   • 25 512 S cars built for homologation ('only 25 cars were built')

   Accessed 2026-11-12
2. 2
   Ferrari 512 S Level C Wouter Melissen · Ultimatecarpage.com

   • new Type 261 engine
   • aluminium spaceframe front section and a rear subframe
   • The fiberglass body

   Accessed 2026-11-13
3. 3
   Ferrari 512 S (1970) - Ferrari.com Level A Ferrari S.p.A. (ferrari.com) · 2026-01-01

   • Type rear, longitudinal 60° V12 (Technical Details)
   • Total displacement 4993.53 cc (Technical Details)
   • Bore/stroke 87 x 70 mm (Technical Details)
   • Compression ratio 11.5 : 1 (Technical Details)
   • Valve actuation twin overhead camshafts per bank, four valves per cylinder (Technical Details)
   • Fuel feed Lucas indirect injection (Technical Details)
   • Maximum power 404 kW (550 hp) at 8500 rpm (Technical Details)
   • Transmission 5-speed + reverse (Technical Details)
   • Frame tubular steel (Technical Details)
   • Front suspension independent, unequal-length wishbones, coil springs, telesco (Technical Details)
   • Rear suspension independent, unequal-length wishbones, coil springs, telesco (Technical Details)
   • Brakes discs (Technical Details)
   • Steering rack-and-pinion (Technical Details)
   • Wheelbase 2400 mm (Technical Details)
   • Length 4060 mm (Technical Details)
   • Width 2000 mm (Technical Details)
   • Height 972 mm (Technical Details)
   • Front track 1518 mm (Technical Details)
   • Rear track 1511 mm (Technical Details)
   • Weight 840 kg (dry) (Technical Details)
   • Top speed 340 km/h (Technical Details)
   • Fuel tank capacity 120 litres (Technical Details)

   Accessed 2026-11-12