2004 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti

Lot details
Registration No: RX54BCK
Chassis No: ZFFAY54C000137629

- Supplied new to guitar legend Eric Clapton

- Two former keepers and 29,000 miles from new

- History file includes the original order form in Clapton's name

The Scaglietti 2+2 Coupe was penned by Frank Stephenson under Ken Okuyama at Pininfarina, and it is said that design, especially the strident side scallops and headlights, were a nod to the coachbuilt 1954 375 MM that film director Roberto Rossellini had commissioned for his wife Ingrid Bergan. The newcomer replaced the outgoing 456 but, being physically larger, was a genuine four-seat Grand Tourer. It was Ferrari's second all-aluminium vehicle (the first being the 360 Modena) and comprised a spaceframe manufactured in concert with Alcoa, that was a combination of extrusions and castings to which the body was then welded. The same chassis formed the basis of Ferrari's 599 GTB flagship Grand Tourer.

The front mid-mounted V12 powerplant was shared with the 575 Superamerica and was not 6-litres as the name suggests but 5.7, though big enough for a healthy power output of 533bhp and equally impressive performance figures, including a 0-62mph time of 4.2 seconds and a top speed north of the magic 200mph. There was a choice of two different six-speed transmissions - a conventional manual gearbox and a semi-automatic paddle shift set-up designated the F1A, which was effectively a refined version of the F1 transmission employed for the 360. The bodies for the 612 were produced at Ferrari's Carrozzeria Scaglietti plant and then transported to Maranello where the mechanicals and interiors were installed. A total of 3,025 examples were manufactured between 2004 and 2011, all but 199 of which featured the F1A gearbox.

Guitar legend Eric Clapton is renowned for his love of Ferraris and has owned many a Prancing Horse over the years. This Scaglietti was one of them and built to his specification in 2004 including:red brake callipers, rear parking sensors, heated front seats, Scuderia enamel wing shields, passenger airbag off system, leather headlining and dedication plate in silver. The car has had two ensuing owners, yet the total mileage still sits at a mere 29,252. The vendor purchased 'RX54 BCK' in 2016 for £78,000, since when it has been professionally stored at a steady 22 degrees Celsius by AutoVault of Great Dunmow Essex (who specialise in storing high value Ferrari motor vehicles in a dust free controlled environment). As experts in the care of high value cars they have also started the 612 once a week and driven it for half a mile once a month. The service book contains five stamps - two by H R Owen, two by Graypaul and the last by JCT600 of Brooklands for a major service and cambelt change carried out on July 13, 2016. Finished in Blu Mirabeau and trimmed in a suitably contrasting shade of Beige hide, the Ferrari is presently described the vendor as 'concours', and comes complete with a history file that includes Eric Clapton's original order form and the aforementioned service history. If you're a Ferrari-loving Clapton fan, then this is clearly the car for you retaining as it does the plaque commemorating its build for him on the dashboard!