1972 Riva Olympic Speedboat

• Hull no. 100
• Length: 6.55 metres
• Riva's last wooden motorboat
• One of only some 270 built
• 220bhp Crusader V8 engine
• All woodwork completely renewed in 2024


A family business dating back to 1842, Riva was founded at Sarnico, a small town on the shores of Lago d'Iseo in northern Italy, and by the 1930s was a leading manufacturer of small racing boats. In the 1950s the founder's grandson Carlo transformed the business, creating wooden boats of a style and elegance that surpassed all rivals and won the Italian firm an international reputation. Like compatriot Ferrari on the road, Riva enjoyed a imperious profile on the water, being favoured by royalty, industrialists and movie stars; Brigitte Bardot, Sophia Loren and Peter Sellers being numbered among the latter.

Named after the Mexico Olympics of 1968, the Olympic was introduced in 1969, superseding the Super Florida. Similar in style to the Florida series, the elegant and luxurious Olympic was both longer and roomier. The last wooden motorboat to be designed by the Cantieri Riva (Riva Shipyard) company, the Olympic remained fundamentally unchanged until production ceased in 1983, all examples being the same length: 6.55 metres (21' 6"). The majority of the approximately 270 boats produced were completed prior to 1975 and nearly all carried 220 or 270hp Riva-badged Crusader V8 engines, making them fast and ideal for water skiing (top speed was an impressive 38 knots). The Olympic was able to accommodate six persons in comfort, and with a five-hour endurance, made long and fast passages possible.

In 2024, this Olympic's wooden elements were completely renewed, and a photo album documenting the work done is included in the sale. Beautifully presented, the boat has been at the seller's Saint Tropez home over the season and comes complete with a trailer.