1952 Ferrari Arno XI Racing Boat

Ferrari powered this powerful Hydroplane back in the 1950s, to break the World Speed Record on the water.

Achille Castoldi, a racing champion, proposed such a boat to the one and only Enzo Ferrari who agreed to help him in the endeavor.

1952 Ferrari Arno XI Racing Boat (6)

Arno XI was built to shatter the speed record in the 800-kg class. Achille Castoldi had been setting records on the water since 1940. To achieve the speed record, he commissioned Cantieri Timossi to build a 3-point hydroplane from hardwood, covered in a mahogany veneer. When Enzo heard he had painted the upper body in Ferrari Red, the Scuderia F1 team was sent to lend their expertise. This culminated in a world record in the flying kilometer: 150.49 mph, which still stands to this day.

1952 Ferrari Arno XI Racing Boat (5)

Initially, Castoldi had planned to use a Ferrari engine, so he purchased a 4.5L V12. It was identical to the 385 horsepower “Lampredi” engine used in the Ferrari 375. Once Enzo realized he was going for the record, he sent his Chief Engineer along with a race-prepped Grand Prix engine. Stefano Meazza and a few of the Scuderia team members realized they needed more power.

1952 Ferrari Arno XI Racing Boat (4)

1952 Ferrari Arno XI Racing Boat (2)

1952 Ferrari Arno XI Racing Boat (1)

 

All images credit DuPont Registry

source DuPont Registry