Arno XI

The Arno XI is a hydroplane inspired by Achille Castoldi in the early 1950s and built by the Cantiere Timossi boatyard, located in Azzano (a frazione of Mezzegra) on the Lake Como. Castoldi wanted to establish a world water speed record so he persuaded then Ferrari racing drivers Alberto Ascari and Luigi Villoresi to influence Enzo Ferrari to supply him with a 4.5-litre, V12 Ferrari engine; the same engine that gave Ferrari his first Grand Prix victory with the Ferrari 375 F1 at Silverstone Circuit in 1951.[1][2] The engine was installed in a Timossi three-point racing hydroplane hull.

Arno XI on display in the Museo Ferrari
Name: Arno XI
Namesake: Arno
Builder: Cantieri Timossi
General characteristics
Type: Hydroplane
Length: 6,200 mm (20 ft 4.1 in)
Beam: 2,470 mm (8 ft 1.2 in)
Installed power: 1× 4,493.73 cc Ferrari tipo 375 F1 V12 engine with twin superchargers and twin four-choke carburettors; 600+ bhp

Engine modifications

Castoldi managed to further increase horsepower by attaching two superchargers. The result was a 502 bhp speedboat, which he used to hit a 150.19 mph top speed in October 1953 on Lake Iseo. This world speed record for an 800 kg boat still stands today.[3]

Today

Arno XI was later sold and raced in numerous competitions, finally retiring in 1960. It has since been restored and is expected to go for up for sale by RM Auctions for up to €1.5m.[4]

References
  1. Nichol, Mark (2012-02-20). "Amazing £1m vintage Ferrari speedboat for sale - Autoblog UK". Uk.autoblog.com. Retrieved 2012-05-25.
  2. "Ferrari Hydroplane Offered at RM Auctions Monaco 2012". Sportscardigest.com. Retrieved 2012-05-25.
  3. "World record-winning Ferrari racing boat to go on the auction block this spring". Gizmag.com. Retrieved 2012-05-25.
  4. "1953 Timossi-Ferrari 'Arno XI' Racing Hydroplane". Rmauctions.com. Archived from the original on 2012-05-10. Retrieved 2012-05-25.
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