It’s been about four years since Jim Glickenhaus managed to convince someone at Ferrari to sell him the 1970 512S Modulo concept car. Based on a 512S Can-Am chassis, the Modulo was pure wedge design, one of the most well-known forms that ever came out of a styling department, complete with wheels that were tucked inside of the bodywork and a forward-slide canopy that opened up to allow two occupants inside. When he purchased the car, he said that he was going to get the car running, registered, and road-legal. For a car whose front wheels were tucked away behind panels, effectively rendering them unsteerable to most observers, that seemed like a tall order. No way he’d make a concept car that old roadworthy, right?
Behold, doubters. Look upon the work that has taken place. Yes, the Modulo still needs to be put back together, no doubt. But it does run. It does move. And though it appears to have the turning circle of a 1960s Gillig school bus, it does turn. The white body with the red laser stripe has been retained, as have the massive five-spoke wheels that look unbelievably fat in the press photos of the complete car. Now, get that canopy back on it, get the body put back together and get out there and enjoy that beast! There’s decades of catching up to do!
In profile it looks exactly like a 308 – with a V12 transplant.
Now THAT would have been a car!
Stuff an LS in it!
That is one fugly car!