1968 Riva Junior Classic Sportsboat & Trailer - £65,000

Status : SOLD

Lying : Hertfordshire - Viewing strictly by appointment through Topsail

(Please scroll down to the 'Images' section below for more photos.)

General Specification

Designer : Carlo Riva
Builder : Cantieri Riva, Italy
LOA : 5.7m (18ft 8in)
Beam : 2.17m (7ft 1in)

Construction

• Wood construction
• Fully restored to very high professional standard 2020/21 including:
  • Original hull repaired as required and encapsulated with fibreglass mat for added strength/protection (vacuum bagged)
  • Hull professionally sprayed by Fine Wooden Boats (to very high gloss)
  • All fittings re-chromed or replaced
  • Completely re-upholstered throughout to original spec (seating/cushions can be configured to form sunbathing platform)
  • Antifouled
• Launched only once since completion of restoration (in fresh water, April 2021)

Mechanical & Electrical

• Original 180hp Riva Crusader 289 cu in V8 engine (fully overhauled 2020/21)
• Engine overhaul included:
  • Re-boring, skimming of heads, new pistons, re-grounding crank and cams
  • New oil pump, carburettor, electronic ignition, impeller pump and fuel pump
  • Refurb of starter motor, alternator and gearbox (latter by Lancing Marine)
  • New wooden dashboard
  • All original gauges restored and re-printed by Speedy Cables
  • New fuel gauge discretely mounted near fuel tank
• Wheel steering
• 12V battery

Equipment

• SBS twin axle road trailer (new brakes, cables, wheel bearings and towing hitch)
• Canopy (brand new)
• 12V automatic bilge pump
• 2 x fire Extinguishers
• Anchor and warp
• 4 x fenders
• Mooring lines

Remarks

With a reported top speed of 79km/h, the Riva Junior was conceived as the perfect runabout or motor yacht's tender, but with more than enough power for water skiing. Handy and fast, she was one of the first Riva models to be produced, commencing in 1966/67. With some 626 built before the model was replaced by the Riva Rudy - a GRP version of the Junior - in 1972, she proved extremely popular throughout both Europe and the USA. Riva have since become a world famous design icon, endorsed and popularised by many royal and celebrity owners!

This gorgeous Riva Junior was purchased by the vendor in Italy in 2019 and transported to the UK to be restored. Her no-expense-spared restoration is just now reaching it's conclusion and she's understood to be in near concours condition. A superb vintage sports boat, with a timeless design that looks as fantastic out on the water now as it did when first built! This motor launch needs to be seen in person to be fully appreciated!

Please note: Unusually for a Riva Junior, and due only to the vendor's personal preference, this craft has a wood finish below the gunnels (traditionally white) and on the running boards, top of the transom, engine tray and dashboard (traditionally finished in lino/vinyl). The vendor would be prepared to arrange for these to be reverted back to the original spec. at the purchaser's cost if required.