A Detailed Look At The SP12 EC, Ferrari's Legendary One-Off Sports Car

"Bespoke" is one of the most popular buzzwords among ultra-luxury brands. With a Ferrari created for Eric Clapton, the word is redefined. With the Ferrari SP12 EC, a vehicle based on the 458 Italia that incorporates some stylistic cues from the Ferrari 512 BB model, of which Clapton has owned three, Ferrari has pushed the customized concept to a whole new level. The famed guitarist's dream car would be a new Ferrari with a 512-style appearance.

Despite not having a boxer 12-cylinder engine like the original 512 BB, the SP12 EC's front grille and dark lower body paintwork give it a remarkable similarity to the 512, which was the forerunner to the 1980s over-the-top Ferrari Testarossa. Ferrari, Pininfarina, and Ferrari's custom program collaborated on the car's design.

The Ferrari SP12 EC Is The Love Of World-Famous Prolific Guitarist, Eric Clapton

A one-of-a-kind Ferrari has to be built for a Ferrari enthusiast and brilliant musician like Eric Clapton. The SP12 EC was built as a tribute to Clapton's career and his extensive experience as a Ferrari owner by the Centro Stile Ferrari in partnership with Pininfarina and the engineers from Maranello.

The world-famous guitarist has a soft spot for one Ferrari model in particular: the 512 BB, which he has owned three times throughout the years. As a result, he desired to drive an automobile inspired by this model, with inspirations from the multi-award-winning 458 Italia. Eric Clapton talks about his love and how the idea for a one-off car came to be exclusively in the latest issue of the Ferrari Official Magazine.

The dimensions and architecture of the SP12 EC – which is part of Ferrari's One-Off Program – were given meticulous attention in terms of aesthetics and technology, making this remarkable automobile even more significant. The SP12 EC was developed in the same way as music is formed: by placing the appropriate notes in the proper locations to create a musical score. Following the project from what was effectively a blank canvas, according to Eric Clapton, was "one of the most enjoyable things I've ever done." Like the finished car, it's one-of-a-kind and non-replicable.

Brief Historic Profile Of The Ferrari SP12 EC

Clapton teamed up with Ferrari's Centro Stile and Pininfarina to construct the one-off SP12 EC in 2012 to commemorate his famous career and lengthy stay as a Ferrari owner. The SP12 EC pays homage to the old Berlinetta Boxers—both the 365 and the 512—and is based on the superb 458 Italia, so there's no V12, but it has the old boxers' elegance. Based on its provenance, the car cost $4.7 million to create and is easily worth just as much, if not more, today.

Clapton has always had a thing for 12-cylinder Ferraris: He's owned numerous throughout the years, and a shot of his post-crash Boxer can be found on the inner sleeve of his 1977 album Slowhand. "I love the sound of Ferraris, and I, as a musician, can affirm that these engines generate real music," Clapton noted recently in an interview published on Ferrari's Home page. I have to admit that 12-cylinder music is my weak spot.

The consensus here is that the magnificent sounds flowing from Mr. Clapton's car are the same as—or a slight derivation of—those produced by the standard-issue 458 V-8, as determined by a highly scientific survey performed among roughly five C/D personnel. Affixed to the left of the rear number plate is the car's insignia. It's easy to see "SP12EC" when viewed in high-res. The way it blends the classic BB style elements is very stunning. It's vintage, but not ponderously so, and it's a lot nicer than the more insectile 458 that lives beneath its skin in many ways. The automobile looks just as good in motion as it does in images.

The Ferrari SP12 EC's Potent Powertrain Is A Reflection Of The '70s-Era Berlinetta Boxers

The Clapton car's two-tone paint scheme, horizontal bonnet slats, flying buttresses behind the occupants, and instantly recognized carb covers are all reminiscent of 1970s-era Berlinetta Boxers. Clapton wanted a 12-cylinder engine installed, according to Ferraristi, but the engineering and certification costs were prohibitive. "SP12 EPC," reads the car's number plate, which is a variation of the badge. Eric Patrick Clapton's initials, "EPC," are unmistakable.

In recent years, a few headline-grabbing Ferrari-based one-offs have surfaced. The F430-based SP1, the Superamerica 45, and the P540 Superfast Aperta are just a few of the cars that have come directly from Ferrari's Portfolio Program or a Ferrari/Pininfarina partnership termed Special Projects. It's unclear from which officially sanctioned program Clapton's car came, though the number plate might hint.