Ferrari 512S (1972)
Only two Ferraris were immortalized in 1:64 scale by Mattel during the redline era. The first of
these was the Ferrari 312 P race car, issued in 1970 as part of the Grand Prix series. The second
was a prototype show car known as the Ferrari 512 S Speciale. Mattel's version of the Ferrari 512 S
is a beautiful casting, with low-slung lines and a futuristic opening cockpit hatch.
Interestingly, the two redline Ferraris were technically based on the same car!
As described on the Ferrari 312P page, the red Ferrari 312 P Spyder with #60 badges that Mattel's
car is based upon was one of three built in late 1968/early 1969 as part of a renewed Ferrari racing
program, and it carried chassis number 0868. This particular 312 P Spyder was raced three times
in preparation for the 1969 Le Mans 24-hour race. In its inaugural race in April of 1969, Mario
Andretti and Chris Amon drove 0868 to a 1st place in class finish at the 12 hours of Sebring.
A few weeks later, Amon and Pedro Rodriguez drove 0868, sporting the familiar #60 badges,
to a 4th place finish at Brands Hatch in the UK.
Ferrari 312 P Spyder #0868 on the track at Brands Hatch in 1969.
Two weeks after the Brands Hatch race, Rodriguez and Peter Schetty drove 0868 in a 1000 km
race at Monza; a final tune-up before Le Mans. The car was doing well until it went off the
track briefly and sustained some minor damage. After quick repairs in the pits, Rodriguez went
back out, only to have the rear bodywork come loose down the high-speed main straightaway!
The car spun out and Rodriguez went backwards into the safety barriers. Rodriguez escaped injury
but chassis 0868 was badly damaged and went back to the factory, never to be raced again.
In mid-1969, the damaged chassis of 312 P Spyder number 0868 was rebuilt and fitted with a
612 CanAm engine as the basis for a new 512 S sports prototype. This engine-chassis combination
(renumbered as 002) was shipped to Pininfarina headquarters in Turin a few months later.
Pininfarina fitted the chassis with a wild and futuristic new body with bright yellow paint and a
lift-up canopy. The resulting concept car, the Ferrari 512 S Speciale, was the star of the Turin
Salon in October 1969 and was the inspiration for Mattel’s Ferrari 512S.
Star of the 1969 Turin Salon: the Ferrari 512 S Especiale.
Mattel's version of the Ferrari 512S faithfully re-created the large lift-up cockpit hatch and
rear engine cover with black louvered vents. The window "glass" is blue-tinted and can be
removed, although cracking is a potential downside! All four wheels are medium-size caps.
As with all 1972 castings, the 512S was produced only in Hong Kong. Since total production
in 1972 was substantially reduced relative to previous years due to low sales, the Ferrari
512S is a tougher casting to collect than Hot Wheels cars from 1968-70.
The Ferrari 512S was produced again in 1973 in several enamel colors as a Shell promotional
car. These cars were distributed in a small plastic bag rather than a blister pack. Note that the
'73 issue lacked the flat black rear louver paint.
A 1973 Shell promo Ferrari 512S in enamel red.
Go to '73 Ferrari 512S page!
Color chart
| HK COLORS: |
COMMENTS: |
| light green |
uncommon |
| magenta | uncommon |
| yellow | uncommon |
| red | uncommon |
| blue | hard to find |
| rose | hard to find |
| aqua | rare |
A red 512S in a Canadian blister pack with a rare "mag wheel" button.
Photo & info credits: Rick Wilson
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