The 1960s were a golden age for Italian design, a time when the country’s top brands were redefining style, luxury, and performance. On the roads, Ferruccio Lamborghini’s newly founded automobile company was turning heads with its sleek, powerful sports cars. And on the water, Carlo Riva’s eponymous boatyard was crafting some of the most beautiful and sought-after pleasure boats in the world.
It was perhaps inevitable that these two masters of Italian craftsmanship would eventually collaborate. And in 1967, they did just that, creating a boat that would become an instant icon: the Riva Aquarama Lamborghini.
Ferruccio Lamborghini, already a Riva owner, approached Carlo Riva with a challenge: build a one-of-a-kind Aquarama, powered not by Riva’s usual V8 engines, but by a pair of 4.0-liter naturally aspirated Lamborghini V12s. It was a daring idea, one that would push both brands to their limits. But Riva and Lamborghini were up to the task.
The result was a boat unlike any other, a stunning merger of Riva’s unparalleled craftsmanship and Lamborghini’s raw power and performance. With its gleaming mahogany hull, cream leather interior, and the unmistakable roar of those Lamborghini V12s, the Aquarama Lamborghini was an instant sensation, a true embodiment of the glamour, style, and sheer audacity of the 1960s.
The Riva Aquarama Legacy
Riva was founded in 1842 by Pietro Riva on the shores of Lake Iseo in northern Italy, where they originally built fishing boats and small crafts. Things changed when Pietro’s grandson, Serafino Riva, took over. He shifted the company’s focus towards pleasure boats, creating stylish runabouts that caught the attention of Italy’s high society.
But it was Carlo Riva, Serafino’s son, who turned Riva into a true symbol of Italian elegance. When he took control in 1954, Carlo elevated Riva’s designs to new heights. His boats stood out for their sleek shapes, glossy mahogany hulls, and incredible craftsmanship. The Aquarama, introduced in 1962, was his masterpiece – a boat so stunning and well-designed that it became a classic right from the start.
During Carlo’s time, Riva boats became a favorite of the rich and famous. Celebrities like Brigitte Bardot and Sophia Loren were often seen lounging on Rivas, and royalty as well as business moguls used them as luxurious water limousines. Owning a Riva became a symbol of sophistication, style, and success.
Ferruccio Lamborghini’s Special Commission
Image source: RivaLamborghini
In 1967, Ferruccio Lamborghini, who had recently started his high-performance car company, owned a Riva Tritone powered by standard V8 engines. Dissatisfied with its performance, he approached Carlo Riva with a special request: to commission hull #278 and equip it with two 4.0L 350hp Lamborghini V12 engines from the 350 GT. This request posed a significant engineering challenge. Riva’s engineers had to collaborate closely with Lamborghini’s team to modify the V12 engines for marine use. This involved more than just tweaking the engines—it required designing custom exhaust systems, cooling mechanisms, and transmission components to withstand the specific stresses of operating in a boat.
At the same time, Riva’s craftsmen faced the task of building a hull that could house these powerful engines without compromising the Aquarama’s iconic style and elegance. They reinforced the hull with extra layers of mahogany and steel to handle the increased power, while the engine compartment was completely redesigned to fit the V12s. The boat’s interior was also given a Lamborghini-inspired makeover. The seats were upholstered in the finest Italian leather, in a cream color that perfectly matched the boat’s mahogany trim. The dashboard was redesigned with Lamborghini-style gauges and switches, giving the helm a sporty, sophisticated look.
Throughout the construction, Ferruccio Lamborghini remained deeply involved, frequently visiting the Riva boatyard to monitor progress and offer input. He insisted that the boat be flawless, embodying the spirit of both Riva and Lamborghini. The result was the fastest Aquarama ever built, capable of reaching 48 knots (55 mph).
The project took three months of non-stop work by Riva’s skilled artisans. Every aspect of the boat, from the engine compartment to the dashboard, was tailored to accommodate the V12 engines. Lamborghini personally oversaw the build, ensuring the boat would be ready by August 1968.
| Specifications | Standard Riva Aquarama | Riva Aquarama Lamborghini (1968 one-off) |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 8.02 – 8.78 m (26.3 – 28.8 ft) | 8.02 – 8.78 m (26.3 – 28.8 ft) |
| Beam | 2.60 m (8.5 ft) | 2.60 m (8.5 ft) |
| Draft | 0.60 m (2 ft) | 0.60 m (2 ft) |
| Weight | 2,850 kg (6,283 lbs) for the Super model | 2,850 kg (6,283 lbs) |
| Engines | Twin V8s, Chris-Craft or Riva units | Twin 4.0L Lamborghini V12s from 350 GT |
| Power | 185 – 400 hp per engine (370 – 800 hp total) | 350 hp per engine (700 hp total) |
| Induction | Standard carburetors | Six twin Weber carburetors per engine |
| Top speed | 45 – 50 knots (52 – 58 mph) | 48 knots (55 mph) |
| Fuel capacity | 480 liters (127 gallons) for Super model | 480 liters (127 gallons) |
| Carrying capacity | 8 people for the Supermodel | 8 people |
Riva Aquarama Lamborghini: A Masterpiece of Italian Craftsmanship and Speed
In the summer of 1968, after months of intense labor, the Riva Aquarama Lamborghini was finally ready to make its debut. The boat was a stunning sight—8.02 meters of gleaming mahogany and polished chrome, with the iconic Lamborghini bull emblems, proudly displayed on both the bow and stern.
However, the true magic began when the V12 engines roared to life. The sound was unlike anything ever heard on the water—a deep, throaty growl that signaled the arrival of something extraordinary. As Ferruccio Lamborghini took the helm for the first time, the Aquarama Lamborghini surged forward, powered by its twin V12s to speeds no Riva had ever achieved.
On the water, the Aquarama Lamborghini was a revelation. It is handled with remarkable grace and agility, effortlessly cutting through waves despite its impressive size and power. The boat quickly became Ferruccio Lamborghini’s pride and joy, a shining symbol of his success and relentless pursuit of excellence.
In the years that followed, the Aquarama Lamborghini made countless appearances at boat shows and events, always attracting admiring crowds. It was featured in magazines and films, solidifying its status as a true icon of Italian style and performance.
The finished Riva Aquarama Lamborghini stood as a masterpiece of 1960s Italian design and engineering. Its mahogany hull, coated with 25 layers of varnish, shone brilliantly, each layer meticulously hand-sanded to perfection. The interior was upholstered in luxurious turquoise and cream Italian leather, while the dashboard echoed the design of a Lamborghini cockpit. Even the gear selector was a sculpted work of art, carved from a solid block of aluminum.
But what truly set the Aquarama Lamborghini apart was the unmistakable sound of those twin V12 engines. Their powerful roar announced the boat’s presence in a way no other could. When Ferruccio Lamborghini took the wheel, the Aquarama seemed to soar across the water, leaving lesser boats far behind.
The Riva Aquarama was Ferruccio Lamborghini’s Prized Possession for the next 20 years
For 20 years, the Riva Aquarama Lamborghini was Ferruccio Lamborghini’s prized possession, a symbol of his success and his passion for the finer things in life. He could often be seen piloting the boat on the waters of Lake Iseo, its signature Riva red and white livery gleaming in the Italian sun. The boat made numerous appearances in magazine photoshoots and films throughout the late 1960s and 1970s, cementing its status as a nautical icon.
In 1988, Lamborghini sold the boat to a close friend, who made the decision to replace the aging V12 engines with standard Riva V8 units. The original engines were returned to the Lamborghini museum, where they remained even as the boat itself slipped into obscurity.
Lost and Found
After Ferruccio Lamborghini’s death in 1993, the Riva Aquarama Lamborghini disappeared from public view. For nearly two decades, the boat’s whereabouts remained a mystery, a holy grail for Riva and Lamborghini collectors alike.
It wasn’t until 2010 that a Dutch Riva collector named Sandro Zani tracked down the fabled boat in Italy. Zani, the head of the Dutch restoration firm Riva-World, found the Aquarama Lamborghini hidden under a tarp in a small boatyard near Punta Ala, Tuscany. The boat was in rough shape, its once-gleaming mahogany dulled and its leather interior cracked and faded. But the boat’s bones were still intact, and Zani knew he had found something special.
Zani purchased the Aquarama Lamborghini and embarked on a painstaking three-year restoration to bring it back to its former glory. The Riva-World team, led by Zani himself, spared no expense in restoring every detail of the iconic boat. The mahogany hull was stripped down to bare wood and rebuilt, with 25 coats of varnish hand-sanded to a mirror finish. The interior was re-upholstered in turquoise and cream leather, just as it had been in 1968.
Most importantly, the boat’s heart was restored, with a pair of period-correct 350 GT V12 engines sourced and rebuilt to original specification. Zani and his team worked closely with the Ferruccio Lamborghini Museum to document and recreate many original parts. They even enlisted the help of Lino Morosini, the former head of the Riva engine division in the 1960s, and legendary Lamborghini test driver Bob Wallace to ensure the restoration was as authentic as possible.
The Whereabouts of Riva Aquarama Lamborghini Today
Image source: gentlemendrivers_official
Today, the 1967 Riva Aquarama Lamborghini resides in the Netherlands as part of Sandro Zani’s personal collection. Fully restored to its original condition, the boat is a testament to the vision of Carlo Riva and Ferruccio Lamborghini, a marriage of Italian style and power that has never been equaled.
For collectors and enthusiasts, the Riva Aquarama Lamborghini represents the ultimate expression of the classic wooden speedboat. Its combination of Riva craftsmanship and Lamborghini engineering is a symphony of form and function, a work of art that just happens to be capable of 55 miles per hour on the open water.
In a world of mass-produced fiberglass and carbon fiber, the Aquarama Lamborghini stands as a reminder of a bygone era of handcrafted quality and old-world luxury. It is a boat that could only have been born in Italy, a country where style and speed are woven into the very fabric of life.
1967 Riva Aquarama Lamborghini: Price
The Riva Aquarama Lamborghini is a unique collaboration between two renowned brands. In terms of its value, the Riva Aquarama Lamborghini is worth between 2 and 3 million euros. It’s important to note that the exact price might vary based on factors like the boat’s condition, history, and the specific edition or features it might possess.
The most recent information available about this boat dates back to 2015, when it was on sale. While the exact asking price wasn’t disclosed, it was noted that its insurance value was close to $3,000,000.
1967 Riva Aquarama Lamborghini Sound
Lamborghini’s Other Nautical Ventures
this and many more photos of lamborghinis are available on www. Lambocars. ComWhile the Riva Aquarama Lamborghini remains the most iconic nautical collaboration for the Italian supercar maker, it is not the only one. Over the years, Lamborghini has lent its name, design expertise, and engineering prowess to several other boat projects.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Lamborghini engines found their way into the world of offshore powerboat racing. The Lamborghini V12 proved to be a potent marine engine, powering several crews to victory in various competitions.
More recently, in 2020, Lamborghini once again collaborated with a boatbuilder to create a limited-edition super-yacht. The Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63 is a 63-foot carbon fiber speed machine that takes inspiration from Lamborghini’s Sián FKP 37 hybrid supercar. Powered by a pair of MAN V12 engines producing a total of 4,000 horsepower, the Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63 can reach speeds of up to 60 knots, making it the fastest yacht in the Tecnomar fleet.
Like the Riva Aquarama Lamborghini, the Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63 is a showcase of Italian craftsmanship and design. The yacht’s sleek lines, angular windows, and Y-shaped bow lights all echo signature Lamborghini design elements. The interior is trimmed in carbon fiber and Lamborghini’s patented Carbon Skin fabric, with Alcantara accents and customizable colors and materials.
Only 63 examples of the Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63 will be built, a nod to Lamborghini’s founding year of 1963. Each yacht is fully customizable to its owner’s tastes, ensuring that no two are exactly alike.
My Thought..
The 1967 Riva Aquarama Lamborghini remains a singular creation, a perfect blend of two legendary Italian brands at the height of their powers. Its story – from commission to mysterious disappearance to ultimate resurrection – only adds to its allure. Today, fully restored to its original glory, the Aquarama Lamborghini stands as a testament to the enduring power of Italian style, craftsmanship, and engineering.
But the Aquarama is not the end of the story. As the Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63 shows, the spirit of collaboration between Lamborghini and the world of boating is still very much alive. As long as some appreciate the unique blend of speed, luxury, and Italian flair, there will be a demand for Lamborghini on the water.
