Aquarama (1962) – Scale Model Motor Boat

by Abordage – Museum Quality



History of the Aquarama


Also known as the "Rolls Royce of the Sea", the last Riva Aquarama produced in 1996 was 8.75 m long, powered by a 320 horsepower engine. It had exceptional performance and could reach speeds up to 90-km/ h.

Riva redesigned his top-selling Tritone into the Lipicar, a motor boat perfectly adapted for family water sports. Fortunately, Riva's export manager Gerard Kouwenhoven suggested the name Aquarama instead. The Jet Set quickly made the boat Europe's status symbol.

Power options were a pair of 185-hp Chris-Craft engines or 220-hp Riva V8s. Later the boat size increased as 8.25 meters and was powered by 2 -220 horse power engines. The boat could entertain eight persons at a 75km/h speed. In 1966, the firm presented the Super version that is 8.45 m long because of its bigger tankers necessary for to the new 320 horsepower engines.

Its performance became exceptional; the Super Aquarama speed is close to 90km/h. The architect Giorgio Barilaini, who is in charge of the yard projects since 1957, re-designed the stern: he created a strainer (passage) that makes the access to the swimming ladder easier. This new version was 8.75 long and named Aquarama Special.

With the Special version, Aquarama signed its best model, which is still the floret of the boatyard. 767 units of this graceful mahogany powerboat have been built.

Had you been clever enough to buy one in 1963, it would have cost $ 17,800. When the last Aquarama Special rolled out in 1996 the price was $ 387,000. Without question - Riva of Italy - which traces its beginnings to a mid-19th century carpenter shop was a world leader in producing elegant, luxury wooden runabouts.

Triumphing at all the boat shows and on all the markets in the world. Kings and emperors, princes and sultans, actors, sportsmen and celebrities, and all the international jet-set that filled the pages of glossy-magazines, headed straight to Riva to choose their boats in the same way as they went to Rolls-Royce or Ferrari for their cars. During this period after WW II, Riva boats became a legend throughout the world, an object of desire and an expression of dreams. Nothing came near to matching the superb quality, style and prestige of the Riva, which was firmly established in a class of its own.

Abordage is the Official Model Maker for Riva.