Things to Know About the 1970 Ferrari 512 S Modulo

It looks like something straight out of a Star Wars set, but the Ferrari 512 S Modulo was a real concept car that was way ahead of its time. More than fifty years have passed since its release, and it still holds the title of being one of the wildest vehicles in Ferrari’s history.

The Modulo came to life thanks to the long-standing collaboration between Ferrari and the famous Pininfarina design studio. Their partnership produced some iconic cars, like the 250 GTE 2+2 and the Testarossa. But for the 1970 Geneva Motor Show, they wanted to push the boundaries of car design, and the Modulo was their bold answer.

Paolo Martin, the man behind the design, was responsible for creating cars like the Rolls-Royce Camargue, Triumph Spitfire, and the Lancia Beta Montecarlo. But the Modulo was like nothing he’d ever designed before. Legend has it that Martin had conceived similar sketches years earlier, but at the time, management thought the design was too futuristic. Eventually, they changed their minds and decided to turn his wild vision into reality.

The result was a car that looked like nothing else on the road. It had an extremely low-slung, wedge-shaped body with partially covered wheels. But what really set it apart was the canopy-style glass roof that slid forward to allow people to get in and out. Forget conventional doors—this car was all about innovation.

Inside, the cabin was wrapped in Alcantara, while the seats were upholstered in striking red leather, adding to the futuristic feel. One unique feature was the retractable steering wheel, which was connected to the steering rack by four inward-running spokes—a design choice that was as unconventional as the car itself.

The Modulo’s body sat atop one of 25 Ferrari 512 S race cars originally built for the FIA World Sportscar Championship. After the carmaker couldn’t sell it to private teams, it was stripped down and sent to Pininfarina to be transformed into the jaw-dropping show car.

Under the Modulo’s bold bodywork, Ferrari had originally fitted the race-spec 5.0-liter V12, producing 550 hp. The car could reportedly accelerate from 0 to 60 mph (97 kph) in just 3 seconds and reach a top speed of 220 mph (354 kph). However, due to delays, the car arrived at the Geneva Motor Show without an engine or transmission.

Even without its powertrain, the Modulo caused a sensation when it was revealed. Painted black at the time, it was undoubtedly the most captivating presence at the event. The car won 22 international awards for its breathtaking design, cementing its place as a true automotive icon.

After the show, the Modulo received its engine and transmission, was repainted white, and stayed with Pininfarina until 2014. It was then sold to James Glickenhaus, an American film producer and Ferrari enthusiast, who began an extensive restoration process. After five years, the restored car was finally showcased in 2018 at the Concorso d’Eleganza at Villa d’Este. You can hear its 12-cylinder engine roar in the YouTube video below, courtesy of 19Bozzy92.

While the Modulo never made it into production, its influence is undeniable. The car inspired a whole generation of wedge-shaped supercars, including the Lamborghini Countach and Ferrari Testarossa. It also helped spark other futuristic Pininfarina designs, like the Lancia Stratos Zero and the 2005 Maserati Birdcage 75th.

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