And in that time, the Layla singer has used a large portion of his fortune quenching his thirst for shiny motors, with numerous sports cars going in and out of his garage – including many, many Ferraris.
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Here’s a look back at the guitar-playing great’s best and most iconic motors, including the Porsche he once lost his license in.
LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT
Clapton has owned dozens upon dozens of Ferraris in his time – he simply can’t get enough of them.
His long-time love for the Prancing Horse seemingly started in the late 1960s thanks to his good friend and fellow musician George Harrison of The Beatles.
In Clapton’s autobiography, he wrote: “He [Harrison] arrived at my house in a dark-blue Ferrari 365 GTC.
“I’d never seen one in the flesh before and my heart melted.
“At that point, it was like seeing the most beautiful woman on earth and I decided there and then that even though I couldn’t drive, I was going to have one too.
“I had no licence and had only ever driven an automatic, so I set about teaching myself to drive using a clutch, in that Ferrari.
“I loved that car.”
He later bought the motor from the fellow guitar hero and repainted it silver, and then white.
FAVOURITE FERRARI
It must be tricky for Clapton to decide which Ferrari has been his favourite over the years, having owned so many.
However, there’s two that vouched for the top spot – with his gorgeous 612 Scaglietti his “second favourite”, according to British GQ.
It’s perhaps an odd choice for his top two, as the 612 Scaglietti is considered mildly controversial by Ferrari traditionalists due to its four seats and large interior – much too ‘sedan’ for a Ferrari, it seems.
The motor was eventually sold off in 2018, reportedly for £100k less than he would’ve originally paid for it.
His all-time favourite, though, is an incredible 250 GT Lusso from 1964, one of just 350 ever built.
‘Lusso’ is Italian for luxury, of course, as it’s considered to be one of the most elegant Ferraris, but aside from that the car boasts a 240hp V12 engine that likely packs plenty of punch.
EARLY BIRD ENZO
Clapton’s love for Ferraris has lasted well into the 21st century, and perhaps peaked with the release of the Enzo.
Only 400 of these incredible supercars were built between 2002 and 2004, and you had to be specially invited to own one.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Clapton was the first to own a model in the UK – beating off other music icons like Nick Mason of Pink Floyd and Jay Kay of Jamiroquai.
According to reports, the Derek & the Dominoes star was so excited to drive the motor that he collected it personally from the factory in Italy and drove it home, even picking up a speeding ticket for hitting 145 mph in a 30 mph zone.
AND FORGOTTEN FERRARI
In recent years, Clapton has made headlines for selling his prized Ferraris.
In 2022, he sold a gorgeous Modena model – complete with a improved sound system and Becker CD changer – and in the same year he flogged a 599 GTB Fiorano.
Last year, a 1970 365 GTB/4 ‘Daytona’ Berlinetta, previously owned by the rock God, sold for £550k.
But on another listing, for a 550 Maranello, it’s claimed that the rockstar outright forgot he’d ordered the motor and even ended buying a second model accidentally – receiving it just a week after the first.
A quote on the DK Engineering listing reads: “Without doubt a keeper of a very busy calendar, three-time Rock’N’Roll Hall of Famer Clapton reputedly ‘forgot’ he already had this example on order, with both cars being supplied to him just seven days apart.”
The 10 best Eric Clapton songs – according to Rolling Stone Magazine readers
10. The Core – Eric Clapton
9. Badge – Cream
8. White Room – Cream
7. Old Love – Eric Clapton
6. Cocaine – Eric Clapton
5. Crossroads – Eric Clapton
4. Tears in Heaven – Eric Clapton
3. Wonderful Tonight – Eric Clapton
2. Bell Bottom Blues – Derek and the Dominos
1. Layla – Derek and the Dominos
MINI GIFT FROM BEATLE PAL
It’s not just all about Ferraris.
In 1965, The Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein bought Minis to give to all four members of the moptop group.
Harrison’s Mini, which also featured in the Magical Mystery Tour film, was customised by luxury coach-builder Harold Radford, and it was also given a psychedelic paint job in 1967.
But then, for reasons unknown, Harrison gave the minature motor to Clapton, who owned it for two years before eventually giving it back to his Beatles pal.
PORSCHE VS POLICE
According to reports in the Daily Mail and FoxNews, Clapton has been caught speeding at least twice while behind the wheel of a Porsche.
In 2004, while driving a lovely Porsche 911 Turbo, the rock star was clocked by French cops going at 134 mph on a highway, resulting in his license being suspended.
Then, in 2022, in another Porsche, the then 77-year-old Clapton was booked by police for failing to provide information about his identity when he was stopped.
The charge was later withdraw with no further details given.
The former Cream star isn’t the only British musician with a lovely fleet of motors – as Beatles drummer Ringo Starr is also a bit of secret petrolhead when not on tour.
And elsewhere, car fans have been left amazed by an awesome find in China – as a supercar dealership, long abandoned, has been discovered with three pricey motors still in the showroom.
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