When Riva introduced the all-mahogany Aquarama in 1962, it used the slogan “Sun, sea, joy of living!” And what joy that runabout brought: Whether used as a primary boat or a superyacht tender, the 8.02-meter-long (26-foot-long) speedster was, and remains, among the world’s most highly coveted craft.
When the Italian builder ceased production of the series in 1996, it made the existing models all the more desirable. Arguably one of the most desirable of them all, an Aquarama documented as among the last six to be built of wood will be auctioned off on live television on Saturday, January 29.
The auction is being held by Mecum Auctions, as part of a five-day public sale of vintage craft, classic cars, and memorabilia. Mecum has made a name for itself among classic car aficionados, though it met with success with a vintage-boat auction about a year ago. That’s among the reasons why it decided to take on this Riva, officially listed as Hull #774.
Mecum hasn’t responded to our requests for details on the opening bid, but here’s food for thought: Hull #783, also one of the last all-mahogany Aquaramas, is for sale through traditional brokerage channels for €685,000 (approximately $910,650). To put it into perspective, when Riva introduced the Aquarama, the list price was 10.8 million lira; that’s roughly €5,578, or $7,415.
As for Hull #774, she’s been in the hands of the original owners, the founding family of Sony, since delivery. Despite her hull number being lower than that of the one mentioned above, she’s referred to as “The Last Riva.” Less than 20 hours have been put on her engines, and she’s been professionally maintained and stored since delivery as well. Surely when the auction airs, the cameras will focus on her varnish, said to still be the original layers, and on a brass plaque at the helm. It reads: “Aquarama Special Number 774 is one of the final six hand built wooden boats constructed by Cantieri Riva representing the pinnacle of over 150 years of boat building tradition in the company from 1842 to 1996.”
If you wish to see the auction on television, check your local listings for the HD Theater channel. The Riva is expected to go up for bid around 5:15 pm Eastern time. In the meantime, enjoy this video of her carving up the Mediterranean coastline at speeds reaching 50 mph.
UPDATE, FEBRUARY 3: The boat sold for $975,000.
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