the early 1950s, Achille Castoldi wanted to set a new speed record for 800kg boats. The idea was something that was nurtured over time, Castoldi was anyway, big on the ‘fastest boat in the world scene’. That’s when Cantiere Timossi boatyard to make him a hardwood hydroplane shell.
Castoldi was known to have been a persuasive character in his time, having bought the hull, he somehow collaborated with Enzo Ferrari to build the powertrain of the boat. Ferrari seized the opportunity by dispatching the full Scuderia F1 team along with a 4.5-litre V12 from the 375 F1 car. Crikey.
The Ferrari experts installed two massive superchargers and feed the whole thing with methanol rather than petrol. This cranked the speed between 550 and 600bhp.
The Amo XI set a world record speed of 150.49mph, which still sits at helm in its class. The boat raced up until 1963 till it was finally put to rest.
Recently, the Arno has apparently undergone a full restoration by Ferrari Classiche, and it’s currently for sale via the duPont Registry. If you have to ask the price, you almost certainly can’t afford it…
