STORY OF THE DAY: An Older 512 S Fails to Finish at Le Mans

Masten Gregory and George Eaton retired Ferrari 512 S number 14 from the 1971 24 Hours of Le Mans. Entered privately against newer 512 M evolutions and the dominant Porsche 917s, the car could not complete a record-setting edition of the French endurance classic.

The entry illustrated both the strength and the limits of private Ferrari competition. A 512 S still possessed formidable speed, but sustained flat-out running placed it under enormous strain. Its withdrawal contrasted with the third place achieved by NART’s more developed 512 M.

The 512 S combined a five-litre V12 with a mid-engined tubular and reinforced-sheet chassis. Its original bodywork was less aerodynamically refined than the later M specification, and the powerful, relatively heavy package demanded substantial fuel, brakes and mechanical care throughout a 24-hour race.

Gregory was an American Grand Prix veteran and Ferrari’s 1965 Le Mans winner, famous for uncompromising speed. Eaton was a Canadian racer who competed internationally in Formula One and sports cars. Their experience gave the private entry credibility, although it could not overcome the car’s age and attrition.