FINALLY! NEW Information About Eric Clapton's 512 BB-Inspired, One-Off Ferrari 458 Italia Come Out

For those of you not in the loop, Eric Clapton is one of those Ferrari guys that is a legend. We knew he had an Enzo and other limited models but he took it to another level when he custom ordered this one-off Ferrari 458 Italia.

Heavily inspired by the 512 BB, which happens to be one of my favorite Ferraris, rumors surrounding the one-off Clapton car say that the guitar legend wanted a 6.0-liter V12 in the vehicle; however, from what we heard when it rolled out of the UK dealer, it didn't have that V12 tonal quality.

Considering it is named the SP12 EC though, we'd expect there to be a 12-cylinder powerplant under that rear bonnet; however, we're in the dark for now.

Look for the FULL story to come out in the Ferrari Magazine.


Ferrari's press release follows:

Exclusively in the Ferrari Magazine the great English musician talks about his passion for Ferrari and his one-off model.

For a Ferrari enthusiast and great musician like Eric Clapton a one-off car just had to be produced. Designed by the Centro Stile Ferrari in collaboration with Pininfarina and the engineers from Maranello, the SP12 EC was created as homage to Clapton's career and his long lasting experience as a Ferrari owner.

The world-famous guitar player has been attached to one particular Ferrari model: the 512 BB, of which he has owned three over the years. So his desire was to drive a car inspired by this model, with influences from the multi-award winning 458 Italia. Exclusively in the latest issue of the Ferrari Official Magazine Eric Clapton talks about his passion and how the idea of a one-off car was born.

Meticulous attention in terms of style and technology was paid to the proportions and architecture of the SP12 EC - which is part of Ferrari's One-Off Programme – making this exceptional car even more significant. Just like music is created, applying the right notes in the right places to build a musical score, so was the creative process behind the SP12 EC.

For Eric Clapton, following the project through from what was, essentially, a blank canvas, was 'one of the most satisfying things I've ever done." Unique and irreproducible like the final car.

Steve - 5/28/2012 9:42:36 PM

+1 Boost

To *my* eyes, it's a huge improvement over a stock Italia. Clapton has addressed all the weird styling stuff that I don't like on the Italia, like impossibly long headlights (do they really need to go half way up the quarter panel), what appears to be an ill-fitting hood (the gaps in the corners), tail-lights that look like they were stuck on, and a rear end that looks ill-conceived. Clapton's car is beautiful, as a Ferrari *should* be, and as previous-generation Ferraris were.

Agent00R - 5/29/2012 10:21:17 PM

+1 Boost

@Steve

At first I wasn't a fan of Clapton's take; however, the more I look at it, the more I appreciate it.

It really just needs a set of vintage-inspired wheels, IMHO. Something like what Jim Glickenhaus did with P4/5 would be awesome.

supermoto - 5/29/2012 6:23:39 PM

+1 Boost

What a beauty. As much as I try to love the Italia, it just looks wrong from some angles.

recca7 - 5/30/2012 1:15:06 AM

+1 Boost

Would you know my name...if i saw you in heaven..

Firewombat - 5/30/2012 8:18:23 PM

+1 Boost

Sorry but this does not look better than a stock 458. The plastic-looking bits on the side skirts are, for whatever he paid for this car, terrible.

If he wanted a V12 then he should have built off a larger model. This is an absolute waste of money, whether it's rare or not, style-wise it's a waste of time, money and energy.

They really could have done better, a Ferrari badge should be on something better.

roadrunner1 - 5/31/2012 2:17:17 PM

+1 Boost

AWESOME to see a "Born Again christian " appreciate the God given talents & creativity of any Ferrari designer , enjoy it Eric , but remember you can,t take it with you ,Amen lol..
What would Jesus do with that amount of $$ today I wonder , RG " the Pontiac Crusader "