A Rock Star With Racing Red In His Blood
Eric Clapton is famous for creating some of rock music’s most recognizable guitar riffs, but cars have long been another major passion. Over the decades, he has owned an extraordinary succession of Ferraris, ranging from elegant 1960s grand tourers to modern supercars. His relationship with the company eventually became so significant that Ferrari built a unique model specifically for him.
Johnnie Rik, Shutterstock; Majvdl, Wikimedia Commons
George Harrison Started It All
Clapton’s fascination with Ferrari began in the late 1960s, when his friend George Harrison arrived at his home in a dark blue 365 GTC. Clapton later recalled being overwhelmed by the car’s appearance, even though he did not yet have a driving licence. That encounter convinced him that he needed a Ferrari of his own.
David Hume Kennerly, Wikimedia Commons
Learning To Drive In A Ferrari
Most new drivers begin in something inexpensive and forgiving, but Clapton took a very different route. He taught himself to operate a manual transmission using a Ferrari, despite having previously driven only automatic cars. It was an unconventional introduction to driving that quickly turned admiration into a lasting obsession.
Unknown author, Wikimedia Commons, Modified
The Elegant 365 GTC
The 365 GTC combined discreet styling with the kind of performance expected from a Ferrari V12. Clapton eventually owned a 1969 example that had originally appeared at the London Motor Show. Auction records show that he later had the car repainted by respected Ferrari specialist DK Engineering before selling it in 2006.
Charles from Port Chester, New York, Wikimedia Commons
A Grand Tourer With Real Pace
Ferrari designed the 365 GTC as a refined road car rather than an uncompromising racing machine. Its front-mounted V12, five-speed transmission, and carefully balanced chassis made it capable of covering long distances quickly. That mixture of speed and sophistication would become a recurring theme in Clapton’s Ferrari choices.
The Dino Brought Something Different
Clapton also became associated with the Dino, Ferrari’s smaller and more agile line of mid-engined sports cars. The early Dino 206 GT used a compact V6 rather than the V12 found in Ferrari’s larger grand tourers. Its light construction and graceful Pininfarina styling offered an experience that was very different from the muscular 365 GTC.
Ferrari’s Beautiful 250 GT Lusso
Among Clapton’s most celebrated cars is the Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso. Introduced at the 1962 Paris Motor Show, the Lusso sat between Ferrari’s competition-focused models and its more luxurious grand tourers. It paired a Colombo V12 with elegant Pininfarina styling and coachwork built largely by Scaglietti.
His Personal Favorite
Clapton has identified the 250 GT Lusso as one of the Ferraris closest to his heart. That choice says plenty about his tastes, because the Lusso emphasizes proportion, balance, and refinement rather than outrageous visual drama. It remains one of the most admired roadgoing Ferraris of the 1960s.
Falcon® Photography from France, Wikimedia Commons
Beauty Backed By A V12
The Lusso was not merely an elegant object designed for display. Its 3.0-liter V12 was fed by three Weber carburetors, giving the car serious performance for its era. Ferrari also added enough comfort to make it more usable than the company’s harder-edged racing derivatives.
The Daytona Joined The Garage
Clapton’s Ferrari history also includes the formidable 365 GTB/4, better known by its unofficial Daytona nickname. Auction documentation confirms that he once owned chassis 13915, a 1970 right-hand-drive example. The car later passed through several other notable collections before appearing at auction.
Yu Chu Chin, Wikimedia Commons
Ferrari’s Front-Engined Powerhouse
The Daytona represented the peak of Ferrari’s traditional front-engined V12 formula during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Its long hood concealed a 4.4-liter engine, while its dramatic body gave it a far more aggressive presence than the Lusso. It was fast, demanding, and perfectly suited to the growing supercar era.
Discovering The Berlinetta Boxer
Clapton’s tastes shifted toward mid-engined Ferraris when the Berlinetta Boxer arrived. The 365 GT4 BB placed its flat-12 engine behind the occupants, creating a lower and more dramatic shape than Ferrari’s earlier grand tourers. It marked an important change in the company’s approach to high-performance road cars.
A Boxer Ordered By Clapton
A 1975 Ferrari 365 GT4 BB documented by Bonhams was ordered new for Clapton through Maranello Concessionaires. Factory records show that the order was placed in 1974, with the car delivered on Christmas Eve. It was one of only 58 right-hand-drive examples, making it rare even before its celebrity connection was considered.
Charles from Port Chester, New York, Wikimedia Commons
Rock History On Four Wheels
Clapton’s former 365 GT4 BB became part of his musical history as well as his motoring story. A photograph of the damaged car appeared on the back cover of his 1977 album Slowhand. Decades later, the Ferrari retained its original matching chassis, engine, gearbox, and body clamshell numbers.
Mr.choppers, Wikimedia Commons
A Remarkably Preserved Survivor
The 365 GT4 BB remained with the owner who bought it after Clapton for approximately 50 years. By the time Bonhams offered it for sale in 2025, it had covered around 14,900 miles. Its long-term ownership and documented history made it an unusually fascinating Berlinetta Boxer.
Charles from Port Chester, New York, Wikimedia Commons
The 512 BB Became An Obsession
Ferrari’s official announcement for Clapton’s later SP12 EC revealed just how strongly he felt about the 512 BB. According to Ferrari, he owned three examples over the years. The model’s wedge-shaped body and flat-12 engine clearly made a lasting impression on him.
![A 1979 Ferrari 512 BB taken at London Concours 2024. Was originally a demonstrator by Maranello Concessionaires and is finished in Azzurro Metallizzato.[1]](https://www.factinate.com/storage/app/media/driversdaily/2026/7/16/17842004110981a6fb8e9c72a0657ef939a6bf1d5c1686d6f8.jpg)
More Power For The Boxer Formula
The 512 BB developed the concept introduced by the 365 GT4 BB. Ferrari increased engine displacement to nearly five liters while preserving the low, wide proportions that made the Boxer instantly recognizable. For Clapton, its design became important enough to influence a unique Ferrari created decades later.
Entering The Modern Supercar Era
Clapton’s collection did not remain frozen in Ferrari’s classic period. As Maranello introduced faster and more sophisticated road cars, he continued buying new models. His documented ownership history includes examples from Ferrari’s V8 sports-car range, front-engined V12 line, and limited-production flagship series.
ilikewaffles11, Wikimedia Commons
Two 550 Maranellos Arrived
Clapton has been linked to an unusual story involving a pair of Ferrari 550 Maranellos. According to a specialist listing, he reportedly forgot that he had already ordered one and placed an order for another. The two cars were delivered only seven days apart, creating a duplication most enthusiasts could only dream about.
The 550 Revived A Classic Layout
The 550 Maranello marked Ferrari’s return to a front-engined, two-seat V12 flagship after years of mid-engined Berlinetta Boxers and Testarossas. Its format recalled cars such as the Daytona while adding modern aerodynamics and electronic systems. It was powerful enough to be a supercar, but civilized enough for long journeys.
Craig Howell from San Carlos, CA, USA, Wikimedia Commons
A 360 Modena With Personal Touches
Clapton also owned a Ferrari 360 Modena, one of the company’s most important early-2000s V8 models. A car linked to him was equipped with an upgraded sound system and a Becker CD changer, practical additions for a professional musician. The 360 represented a more modern, accessible side of Ferrari ownership.
Alexandre Prévot from Nancy, France, Wikimedia Commons
His Enzo Made A Grand Entrance
Clapton was among the earliest British customers to receive the limited-production Ferrari Enzo. Rather than having the car transported to England, he reportedly collected it from the factory in Maranello and drove it home. That journey made the delivery an experience rather than a simple transaction.
Ferrari’s Formula One-Inspired Flagship
Named after company founder Enzo Ferrari, the Enzo used a carbon-fiber structure, a 6.0-liter V12, and technology influenced by Formula One. Ferrari produced only 399 examples for customers before building an additional car for charity. Ownership was generally offered to established Ferrari clients, placing Clapton within a highly exclusive group.
Unknown authorUnknown author, Wikimedia Commons
The Surprisingly Practical 612 Scaglietti
One of Clapton’s favorite modern Ferraris was reportedly the 612 Scaglietti. Unlike the two-seat Enzo or compact 360 Modena, the 612 offered four seats and meaningful luggage space. Its front-mounted V12 made it a rapid grand tourer that could also handle everyday journeys.
A 599 GTB Fiorano Followed
Clapton later owned a Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, another front-engined V12 grand tourer. The 599 combined an engine derived from the Enzo’s V12 with a more practical two-seat body. It continued the lineage established by cars such as the Daytona and 550 Maranello while adding far more advanced electronics.
The SP12 EC Was Built For Him
The defining car in Clapton’s Ferrari story is the SP12 EC, a unique model commissioned through Ferrari’s Special Projects program. Ferrari’s design center created it with assistance from Pininfarina and the company’s engineers. The letters EC referred directly to Eric Clapton, making his identity part of the car’s official name.
A 458 Italia Underneath
Although the SP12 EC looked unlike any production Ferrari, it was based on the 458 Italia. That meant it retained the 458’s naturally aspirated mid-mounted V8, dual-clutch transmission, and highly sophisticated chassis. Clapton gained the reliability and performance of a modern Ferrari beneath entirely bespoke bodywork.
Danny Galvez from Pinoso, España, Wikimedia Commons
Inspired By The 512 BB
Clapton asked Ferrari to give the SP12 EC visual connections to his beloved 512 BB. The finished design used a contrasting lower body, horizontal detailing, and rear-quarter shapes that recalled the classic Boxer without simply copying it. It became a modern interpretation of the car he had admired for decades.
The Ultimate Expression Of His Passion
Ferrari described the SP12 EC as a tribute to Clapton’s career and his long history as a Ferrari owner. It brought together his affection for classic design, his enthusiasm for modern performance, and his relationship with the factory. Few collectors receive a one-off car bearing their initials, which makes the SP12 EC the natural centerpiece of his automotive story.
More Than A Celebrity Garage
Clapton’s Ferrari history stands apart because it reflects decades of genuine enthusiasm rather than a brief burst of celebrity spending. He has owned elegant grand tourers, raw mid-engined machines, modern flagships, and historically important classics. Cars have entered and left his possession over time, but Ferrari has remained the consistent thread running through the collection.
John Bauld from Toronto, Canada, Wikimedia Commons
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