The Long Tail variant of the Ferrari 512S occupies a specific and visually arresting corner of 1970 endurance racing. Built to confront the Porsche 917 in the FIA Group 5 season, the 512S was Ferrari's attempt to reclaim outright dominance at Le Mans, and the Coda Lunga bodywork — with its extended rear deck — was the weapon of choice for the Sarthe's long straights. The #11 N.A.R.T. entry placed that contest in an American context, with Luigi Chinetti's team running two drivers whose names resonate well beyond a single race.
A 5.0-Litre Flat-12 Built for Le Mans
The Ferrari 512S was powered by a 4994 cc flat-12 engine. Where the standard-tail 512S was a circuit-versatile machine, the Long Tail (Coda Lunga) bodywork was a track-specific solution: the extended rear bodywork reduced aerodynamic drag at the high-speed Le Mans layout, prioritising top speed over the mechanical grip demanded by tighter venues. It remains one of the most recognisable Ferrari racing silhouettes of the early 1970s.
N.A.R.T., Chinetti and the 1970 Le Mans Campaign
The North American Racing Team was founded by Luigi Chinetti, Ferrari's official US importer, and became the principal conduit for Ferrari factory machinery in American motorsport throughout the 1960s and 1970s. At the 1970 24 Hours of Le Mans, the race was dominated by Porsche 917s, and the Ferrari 512S entries could not match the German machines overall. The #11 car, co-driven by Ronnie Bucknum — a former Honda Formula 1 driver — and Sam Posey, a prominent American racer and later a respected motorsport broadcaster, delivered a 4th-place overall finish: the strongest result posted by the N.A.R.T. Ferrari 512S at that edition.
The Werk83 1:18 Scale Model
Werk83 has an established reputation for high-detail resin 1:18 scale model cars, concentrating on motorsport subjects. This release faithfully replicates the #11 N.A.R.T. entry as it appeared at Le Mans in 1970, capturing the Coda Lunga's elongated rear profile and the team's characteristic livery. For collectors focused on endurance racing history or the North American Ferrari story, the combination of driver provenance, a specific chassis variant, and Werk83's known standard of surface and livery accuracy makes this a substantive acquisition.
Frequently asked questions
What engine did the Ferrari 512S use at Le Mans in 1970?
The 512S was powered by a 4994 cc flat-12 engine. The Long Tail bodywork was specifically configured to make the most of that output on Le Mans's high-speed straights.
What was the result of the #11 N.A.R.T. Ferrari 512S at the 1970 24 Hours of Le Mans?
Ronnie Bucknum and Sam Posey finished 4th overall — the best result for a N.A.R.T. Ferrari 512S in that race, at an edition dominated by Porsche 917s.
Who were the drivers of the #11 N.A.R.T. Ferrari 512S?
Ronnie Bucknum, a former Formula 1 driver with Honda, and Sam Posey, a well-known American racing driver who later became a respected motorsport broadcaster.
Who makes this 1:18 scale model and what is it made of?
The model is produced by Werk83, known for high-detail resin 1:18 scale model cars with a strong focus on motorsport subjects.
