VIN: the Scuderia Filipinetti / Solar Productions / Herbert Muller Racing Ferrari 512 S / M chassis 1008
History of chassis 1008
Chassis 1008 was one of two 512 S Berlinettas sold to Swiss Ferrari distributor, Georges Filipinetti, in 1970. Both were painted red with a white and pale blue centre stripe.
Along with its sister car (chassis 1016), the 512s were used for Scuderia Filipinetti’s 1970 World Sportscar Championship campaign. This comprised a single car entry for most of the European rounds and a three-car attack at Le Mans (where the Scuderia Picchio Rosso 512 also attended in Filipinetti colours).
Aside from its outing at Le Mans, chassis 1008 raced just once. Its debut came at the 1970 Nurburgring 1000km where it was driven by Mike Parkes and Herbert Muller. Behind more nimble Group 6 works cars from Porsche (908/03) and Alfa Romeo (33/3), the big Ferrari did well to qualify eighth (third fastest of the 512s). Parkes and Muller finished the race fourth overall and second in the Group 5 class.
Like all the works and distributor team 512s that raced at Le Mans in 1970, the two Filipinetti-owned machines ran long tailed Coda Lunga bodywork.
Jo Bonnier and Reine Wisell were brought in to drive 1008 at la Sarthe. They qualified ninth overall, sixth fastest of the eleven-strong 512 contingent.
Nine of these retired of which three went out during a multi-car pile-up in hour three (including 1008).
Driving at drastically reduced speed through Maison Blanche, Wisell was hit by Clay Regazzoni's works car which was in turn hit by the second Filipinetti Coda Lunga and all three cars were out of race. In the process of avoiding the melee, Derek Bell's works 512 was over-revved and blew a valve a few minutes later.
After Le Mans, the two Filipinetti long tails were repaired and sold to Solar Productions for the Steve McQueen movie Le Mans. Several Ferraris, Porsches and Lolas were acquired for filming which took place between June and November of 1970.
In December 1970, Solar Productions sold four of their quintet of 512s to Herbert Muller in Switzerland. As well as 1008, the batch included 1004, 1016, 1036 and 1044.
Muller had 1008 uprated to the latest M specification in Maranello.
The now plain red Rolanaflor-backed car was leased by Giampiero Moretti for an appearance at the 1971 Monza 1000km. Co-driven by Teodoro Zeccoli, 1008 qualified 13th and finished eighth overall (fifth in the Group 5 class).
The car sat unused between May and June before making its final appearance at the big money Norisring Interserie race in mid July. Muller drove chassis 1044 while he persuaded F1 and Gulf Porsche star, Pedro Rodriguez, to drive 1008.
Unfortunately, the race ended in disaster.
Having qualified second, Rodriguez was challenging Chris Craft’s Group 7 McLaren M8E for the lead when backmarker, Kurt Hild, edged the Mexican into the wall while being lapped.
The Ferrari burst into flames upon impact and Rodriguez died shortly after being extracted from the extinguished wreck.
Herbert Muller withdrew his other Ferrari from the race.
1008 was destroyed in the accident.
Notable History
512 S Berlinetta
Georges Filipinetti (Scuderia Filipinetti), Chateau de Grandson, Vaud, Switzerland
Red with White & Blue stripe
31/05/1970 WSC Nurburgring 1000km (M. Parkes / H. Muller) 4th oa, 2nd S5.0 class (#58)
Fitted with Coda Lunga body
14/06/1970 WSC Le Mans 24 Hours (J. Bonnier / R. Wisell) DNF (#14)
Sold to Solar Productions Inc., North Hollywood, USA, for the Steve McQueen film ‘Le Mans’
12/1970 sold to Herbert Muller (Herbert Muller Racing), Switzerland
Uprated to 512 M spec.
Red Rolanaflor livery
25/04/1971 WSC Monza 1000km (G. Moretti / T. Zeccoli) 8th oa, 5th S5.0 class (#11)
11/07/1971 INT Norisring (P. Rodriguez) DNF (#26)
Destroyed in Rodriguez’s fatal accident at the Norisring
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Gulf Oil - https://www.gulfoilltd.com/
