VIN: the Corrado Manfredini Ferrari 512 S chassis 1032
History of chassis 1032
Chassis 1032 was one of four 512 S Ferraris sold to privateers for the 1970 season.
The remainder were raced by Scuderia Ferrari and the company’s various importer teams like NART, Ecurie Francorchamps and Scuderia Filipinetti.
1032 was purchased by Corrado Manfredini, an enthusiastic amateur who worked for his father’s construction firm.
Initially based in Rovigo and Forli, the private company of Cav. Ercoliano Manfredini managed major civil and industrial projects to include office and apartment complexes, factories, airports and road works.
The company generated huge profits and enabled the young Manfredini to indulge his passion for motor sport.
From the early 1950s to the late 1970s, Corrado Manfredini raced a wide variety of machinery. Starting out with Fiats, he moved up to Siatas, Maseratis, OSCAs and Alfa Romeos before taking a break between 1966 and 1968.
For 1969, Manfredini returned with a Porsche 907 which he raced under the Scuderia Picchio Rosso banner (Team Red Woodpecker). This was replaced with the 512 S for 1970.
Having purchased the Ferrari in January, it was immediately dispatched to America for the opening round of the 1970 World Sportscar Championship: the Daytona 24 Hours.
Accompanied by co-driver, Giampiero Moretti, Manfredini’s bright red Berlinetta suffered teething troubles in practice and the pair qualified down in 33rd. However, at the three hour mark, they had moved into eleventh and after six hours, they were ninth.
Soon after midnight, 1032 had what seemed like a minor coming together with the NART entry of Dan Gurney and Chuck Parsons. Both cars continued and by 3am (half distance), the Picchio Rosso machine was lying seventh. Unfortunately, just before 6am, the suspension broke as a result of the earlier collision and 1032 retired from the race.
After a refresh at the factory, 1032 next appeared in the 25 lap Embassy Trophy at Thruxton on March 30th.
A European Formula 2 Championship support race, the Ferrari was taken to England as Manfredini had entered the Brambilla brothers in Picchio Rosso’s Brabham BT23 and Dino 166.
Giampiero Moretti qualified the 512 S third and surged into an early lead. However, he crashed on lap two while under pressure from Jo Siffert’s Porsche 917. Damage to the rear bodywork ended Moretti’s race.
1032’s final outing was the minor 25 lap Coppa AC Verona at Monza on April 11th. Up against mostly two-litre opposition, Manfredini qualified on pole, but crashed early on in the race. The impact damage was not too bad, but 1032 caught fire and burned severely.
On its return to the factory, 1032’s engine and gearbox were salvaged but the rest was scrapped.
Corrado Manfredini immediately purchased another 512 S (chassis 1022) which was raced using the identity of 1032 for carnet reasons.
Notable History
512 S Berlinetta
Red
Sold to Corrado Manfredino, Rovigo (Scuderia Picchio Rosso)
01/02/1970 WSC Daytona 24 Hours (C. Manfredini / G. Moretti) DNF (#30)
30/03/1970 IND Thruxton Embassy Trophy (G. Moretti) DNF (#2)
12/04/1970 IND Monza Coppa AC Verona (C. Manfredini) DNF (#2)
Returned to the factory after catching fire at Monza.
Engine and gearbox salvaged. Remains scrapped.
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: unattributed
