Clapton orders V12 (599 engine) 458

When money is not an object....

http://www.luxist.com/2010/07/01/eric-clapton-wants-a-ferrari-458-italia-with-a-v12/

I am very curious.

 

This is being discussed here too:

General Forums > Ferrari Discussion (not model specific) > "Eric Clapton - V12 458 Italia?"​

A V12 in the 458 is an intriguing idea.

All the best,
Andrew.

 

I suggested the V12 in a 458 idea before the car was even introduced. The idea was met with total indifference.
I guess EC being a classic 12 cylinder Ferrari guy figured it has some merit to put a proper Ferrari engine in the latest.
It also neatly takes Ferrari off the hook for that idea as there will only be one factory example built...
CH

 

Who says there will only be one built?

 

At least one other V12 458 has been commissioned by a Florida car collector, though he has just asked for such a car. So he may be a few steps behind Clapton. If anybody can get Ferrari to make a second V12 458 it would be him.

 

Fux or Henn?

 

close, but no. Don...
Hopefully it will work out, otherwise no one in the states will get to see one of these creations.

 

I get what you are saying... but... as far as the originality of the idea... im sure there are thousands of people who would suggest putting a v12 into the 458... its kinda the car guys thing to not be satisfied with the factory offering and wanting more. I bet there are a bunch of teenage car enthusiast who are saying... Hey... that was my idea...

The big picture is, being having the idea and then carry it out... and thats what clapton is doing. the action is what defines it

 

Wasn't the Ferrari rule for previous one-off projects-custom bodywork but stock drive train?
The motor transplant would be a new direction for the program unless it becomes a prototype...
CH

 

my understanding is... you must not alter factory crash structures, or any dot or epa equipment. So head lights, tail lights etc... must be DOT approved existing pieces (since making new ones will cost in excess of 500k for each design)

The engines must remain the same as well... however, if they are taking a DOT EPA TUV approved engine such as a 599 engine into an approved safety structured car with DOT approved lights/saftey equipment... then all the ingredients are approved items.... mix and match at will.

Worst case... show and display... im sure he is not putting more than 2500 miles a year on it...

 

If you think about it American cars change engines all the time.

 

Wallace

 

Yes. I know he has just asked at this point.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BaJF1ED3XE&feature=player_embedded#!

 

Very easy. I'm pretty sure clapton lives in the UK so he only needs to register it as a kit car with using a single approval thing by the SVA. That's how all the kit cars get approved. Once that's done, you can register it in any European union car...and the European countries which aren't in there are all dodgy so a few bucks under the table will soon sort that...lol

That said, it'll probably be fully approved anyhow, so no worries.

-

On topic, isn't the V8 pretty much the same as the V12? but with 4 less cylinders...Not sure of the weight involved but it for sure won't be lighter...and the 599 engine only has 60 orso hp more than the 458.

Would have had more of a success of building an early 458 challenge and run ITB's etc. no added weight and more hp.

 

So the V12 has the same dimensions as the V8? If not, then how?

 

i believe he was speaking of overall engine architecture such as bore stroke etc... And to be honest... I don't know if they do off the top of my head... but its very easy to figure out

 

Freakin' awesome!!!!

 

Interesting. Seems he's a GT man - He calls the Lusso and 612 his favorites.

 

I read somewhere how he thinks Ferrari's sound compare to his music in terms of listening pleasure, and he said even more so the V12s, hence the fact he wants a V12 in the newest and greatest Ferrari.

Steve

 

I am also surprised Ferrari is considering this. The car was designed so much for the new V8 and then they are going to throw in the V12 from the front engined GT car, very unprofessional IMO. Seems like something some big shot aftermarket shop would do and screw up.

Steve

 

umm... that "front engine V12" is just an engine... it doesn't care if its mid mounted or front mounted. Only the accessories such as power steering, water pump, a/c and headers really need to be modified from there original position. Also, that front engine V12 has seen some mid engine experience in the enzo...

 

The 599 V12 was originally designed as a mid engine motor. It is the same engine found in the Enzo. Dimensionally speaking the block is nearly identical to the Enzo's version of the engine.

 

Finding it hard to believe this could be feasible from cost perspective. There is this guy from Hawaii who bought a very individual M6
http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e63-bmw-m6-forum-bmw-m6-convertible-m6board-com/144526-very-individual-m6.html

He wanted a different dash color but had to skip it because BMW insisted on carrying full R&D for the new leather color(!).

So there must be something wrong with either BMW or Ferrari approach? Maybe Ferrari doesnt bother with how long things last? I do not know.

 

BMW is not a boutique builder of cars. They are a much more mass produced vehicle when compared to the Ferrari. For example... all of the M6 customers requests could EASILY be done at Ferrari. It really wouldn't be all that different than a typical order (save for the wood).

BMW is not set up to do this kind of work. The individual department processes special request from preset special options etc... its not as individual as the name suggest.

And yes... ferrari will do this, and it will cost eric clapton probably a million plus... but they will do it.