Ferrari has always pushed the boundaries of automotive design, but in 1970, the brand took a bold gamble that remains one of the most fascinating concepts in its history.
Hard to believe just by looking at it, but this car is actually built on a Ferrari 512 S race car. Transformed by Pininfarina into a vehicle straight out of a sci-fi movie, it caused a sensation at the Geneva Motor Show. With its radical shape, unique entry system, and a V12 engine hidden beneath a spaceship-like body, the Ferrari Modulo is a rolling UFO. But what makes it even more incredible is that this concept was never supposed to drive—until a passionate collector decided to bring it to life.
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A design from another world
When Pininfarina got hold of a Ferrari 512 S, the goal was to create a car that embodied the vision of the future. Paolo Martin, the designer behind the project, imagined a vehicle unlike anything seen before: a real concept car. Standing just 35.43 inches tall—5 inch lower than the already low-slung Ford GT40—it appears to hover over the road. Instead of conventional doors, the cockpit opens via a sliding canopy that moves forward, a design directly inspired by aviation. Interestingly, this concept has only recently been revived in the automotive world with KTM’s X-Bow GT-XR. The rear wheels are partially covered to enhance aerodynamics, and the back features 24 circular openings symbolizing the engine’s 12 cylinders. An aluminum chassis and a fiberglass body add to its futuristic appeal, while the minimalist interior keeps all controls clustered around the steering wheel, reflecting the boldest concept designs of the 1970s.
Who is Pininfarina?
Pininfarina is one of the most prestigious automotive design studios in the world. Founded in 1930 by Battista “Pinin” Farina in Italy, it has built a reputation for designing some of the most iconic cars in history. Closely linked to Ferrari, Pininfarina is responsible for masterpieces like the Ferrari 250 GT Lusso, the Ferrari F40, and the Ferrari Enzo. Hard to believe, then, that behind the completely eccentric design of the Modulo lies the work of the world’s most famous designer!
Performance worthy of the best supercars
Don’t let its extravagant design fool you—beneath the sculpted body designed for aerodynamics, the Ferrari Modulo hides a truly performance-focused machine. Its 5.0-liter V12, producing 550 horsepower, allowed it to reach 350 km/h (217 mph), an extraordinary feat for its time. Weighing just 900 kg (1,984 lbs), it could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.1 seconds—figures that remain impressive even today. Unlike other Ferraris of the era, it was never meant for the track or mass production. It was, above all, a technological manifesto—a showcase of Pininfarina and Ferrari’s design and engineering prowess. Despite its potential, it remained a prototype, displayed at exhibitions and museums, never meant to hit the road.
An unexpected revival
After spending decades on display, the Ferrari Modulo found a new owner in 2014: James Glickenhaus, entrepreneur and renowned collector of rare cars. His ambitious goal? To restore this unique concept and make it fully drivable. The project was far from simple. The Modulo had never been designed to function on the road, and its engine had never actually run in this configuration. Glickenhaus and his team had to rebuild the entire mechanical system to make it fully operational. After years of meticulous work, the Ferrari Modulo finally hit the road for the first time in its history. Today, this one-of-a-kind vehicle is finally able to drive and continues to mesmerize enthusiasts at special events. It represents an era when boldness and creativity could give birth to automotive UFOs. It’s almost unbelievable that Ferrari—the brand behind some of the most beautiful cars in history—was responsible for this machine.
This article explores the fascinating story of the Ferrari Modulo, a concept car with radical design and astonishing performance. Created in 1970 by Pininfarina, it remained a prototype until its recent restoration by James Glickenhaus. With its futuristic look and V12 engine, it stands as one of Ferrari’s most daring projects—a testament to visionary ideas that never go out of style.
