Celebrity Cars: Eric Clapton gets his one off Ferrari SP12 EC

{ Cars Girls Sexy Cool } Showcasing pictures of the Ferrari SP12 EC that was bespoke built for Eric Clapton by Ferrari. Clapton is reported to have spent more than £3million building his dream Ferrari which is inspired by the 1970s Ferrari 512 BB, the SP12 EC is built on a 458 Italia chassis. Why the 512BB? Probably because Clapton has owned 3 of them over the years, among many other Ferraris. 

Designed by the Centro Stile Ferrari in collaboration with Pininfarina and Ferrari's engineers in Maranello, the SP12 EC (SP for "Special Project" and EC for "Eric Clapton") is described in a press release issued by Ferrari as being "created as homage to Clapton's career and his long lasting experience as a Ferrari owner".

The car is part of Ferrari's One-Off Programme, which was set up in 2007 to create unique models following demand from customers. Cars built by the One-Off Programme must be based on an existing Ferrari platform, with customers also receiving the tooling used to make the car, thus ensuring that it will remain unique.

The engine is the 458's 4.5-litre V8 rather than a flat-12 as in the 512 BB.

Classic 512 BB styling touches on the SP12 EC's hand-built body include a larger air intake at the front of the car, grey slats on the front boot lid and a two-tone red and black paint scheme.

As for the design process itself, Ferrari says: "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." In an interview in the latest addition of the official Ferrari Magazine, Clapton describes following the project from what was a blank canvas as "one of the most satisfying things I've ever done".

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Posted in: Celebrity,Clapton,Ferrari

Did Ferrari Build Eric Clapton his own 458 Italia?

Italian Supercar Manafacturer Ferrari have been known to create custom vehicles for some very exclusive clients in the past including the F430-based SP1 created for a wealthy Japanese collector in 2008 as well as the P540 Superfast Aperta created on the 599 FTB Fiorano platform in 2009.

Now, if the Ferrari afficianados over on FerrariChat.com are correct, Ferrari Special Projects program has built a third one-off vehicle for legendary musician Eric Clapton who is known as a passionate Ferrari collector.

The car looks to be based on the 458 Italia and has distinct styling references to the 12-cylinder Ferrari 512 BB built in the late 1970s and early 1980s with a large lower grille, hood slats and flying buttresses at the rear.

Judging from the photos, the interior appears to be relatively unchanged from the 458 Italia, and the mid-mounted 4.5-liter V8 is likely still in place as well.

If you don’t have the reputation or the funds for your own customised 458 Italia, Ferrari lets you build your own Spider 458 online. 

Source: Autoblog

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Posted in: Build,Clapton,Ferrari,Italia