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".
