Description
Author: Glen Smale, H5787, ISBN: 9780857337870, Hardback Published in August 2016, 156 pages
The Ferrari 512 S, and its successor the 512 M are among the most iconic of Ferrari sports-racing cars. These cars competed against Porsche's all-conquering 917 in 1970 and 1971 - a rivalry immortalised in Steve McQueen's film Le Mans, The Ferrari was powered by a 5-litre V-12 engine, and was driven by an impressive array of drivers including Mario Andretti, John Surtees, Clay Regazzoni, Jacky lckx, Ronnie Peterson and Derek Bell. Although the performance of the Ferrari and Porsche were very similar, the Ferrari's Achilles heel was reliability, and the Maranello cars were unable to challenge the dominance of the German manufacturer. Despite winning only a single World Championship race - the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1970 - the Ferrari 512 S/M has secured a place as one of the most charismatic sports-racing cars ever built, and the sight and sound of a restored example in full flight today still turns heads. This in-depth manual, illustrated with numerous archive images, in addition to photographs of restored examples today, provides a fascinating insight into one of today's most charismatic and desirable classic racing sports cars.
- The Ferrari 512 S/M story - brief introduction to the sports-car racing regulations for 1970-71, plus race-by-race account of the 1970-71 racing seasons.
- Anatomy of the Ferrari 512 S/M - body, chassis, engine, transmission, suspension and steering, brakes, wheels and tyres, interior and electrics.
- The engineer's view - running a Ferrari 512 S/M in period and today.
- The owner's view - views from Kirk White on running the Penske Sunoco car in 1970-71, and from Nick Mason on 512 S ownership today.
- The driver's view - views from Sam Posey, Mario Andretti and Derek Bell.
- Chassis record - chassis histories for each of the cars built.
