Yes, it’s an exciting thought: the hands of ‘God’ have gripped this very steering wheel, as the Giallo Fly 575 Maranello you see here was ordered new by the legendary guitarist Eric Clapton.

Clapton’s penchant for cars from Maranello is well known. Indeed, a crashed 365 GT4 ‘Boxer’ features on the inside cover art of his 1977 album ‘Slowhand’. In addition to a fine collection of classics, ‘EC’ usually runs the latest 12-cylinder Ferrari road car. In 2003, he specced-up the then top-of-the-range 575 Maranello in Giallo Fly yellow with black hide interior and a host of extras including a Fiorano handling kit, satellite navigation, an interior carbonfibre pack and yellow brake calipers.

After Clapton’s ownership the car passed to an equally passionate Ferrari enthusiast, the British DJ Chris Evans.

On 23 July, at its Silverstone Classic sale, Silverstone Auctions will offer the car at an estimate of £58,000 – 66,000; just one interesting entry in a catalogue growing by the day.

Others include a 1958 AC Ace Bristol with original competition history (£180,000 – 220,000), a very early (1961, with outside bonnet lock and flat floor) LHD Jaguar E-type SI Roadster for £120,000 – 150,000, and a rare, 2010 Porsche 911 (Generation II) GT3 RS at £90,000 - 105,000.

You can see the latest entries for the 23 July sale in the Classic Driver car database. Alternatively, visit www.silverstoneauctions.com.

Text: Steve Wakefield
Photos: Silverstone Auctions