Ferrari has built a legacy of a fast, sleek car taking over the streets. While this image of Ferrari has stood the test of time, the forgotten vehicle has been unveiled, and it’s not what you think. The Formula 1 circuit has experienced the rush of Ferrari’s auto machine, however, this unveiled vehicle has not touched the circuit. Better working in the water, Ferrari’s hydroplane has become an alternative, however innovative symbol of Ferrari’s greatest inventions. The collaboration of speedboat race, Achille Castoldi and Enzo Ferrari, finds itself in the 21st century.
The Creation of the Arno XI Hydroplane
Speedboat racer Achille Castoldi broke the speed racing record in 1952 and continues to hold that record. Travelling with an 800 kg machine, the collaboration of Enzo Ferrari’s 4.5-litre Lampredi V12 engine put Castoldi to the top. The engine has been used in Ferrari’s Formula 1 cars, and the evident power highlights the record-breaking.
Boatbuilder, Cantieri Timmosi, joins the creation of the Arno XI Hydroplane with the three-point plane made with hardwood and mahogany veneer. The materials promote a lightweight and durable machine coupled with Ferrari’s engine. The Scuderia engineers adjusted the engine to a horsepower of over 600 from 385. This was done by using methanol fuel and adding identical superchargers.
Marking the sign of Ferrari bringing Enzo Ferrari pride, Castoldi painted the boat red. Reflecting on the hydroplane’s construction, Ferrari’s chief engineer, Stefano Meazza, said, “We applied lessons from the racetrack to the water, ensuring the Arno XI was as fast as any Ferrari on land.” The collaboration between Ferrari, Timmosi, and Castoldi created a record-breaking hydroplane.
Breaking the world speed record
October 15, 1953, lists Ferrari’s historical moments with their hydroplane crossing the winning line, breaking the world record. Castoldi, steering the Arno XI hydroplane, took the speed record with 150.49 mph (241.708 km/h). Until now, the record is unbreakable, and many wonder if that day will come with another Ferrari machine. Features such as the hydroplane’s three-point design continue to be the unique feature that broke the world record.
This design allowed the plane to glide over the water, limiting hindrance and promoting speed. Mario Verga had a record of 140.74 mph, however, it was not enough to limit the Arno XI hydroplane. Ferrari put all the effort into the plane, with the Scuderia team adjusting the boat’s handling to promote optimisation. Acknowledging the power of collaboration, Castoldi said, “This was not just a boat—it was a Ferrari on water, built for one purpose: speed.”
Ferrari’s Arno XI legacy and restoration
The 1952 invention, carrying a world-breaking record, has experienced multiple ownership with much repair in the 90s. Its refurbishment included being powered by 100-octane gasoline, which benefited its exhibition function. Further ownership change, the Ferrari Arno XI has been listed for sale in 2025 with the expected price higher than $1 million.
Travelling from 1952, Ferrari’s Classiche division has labelled the original 4.5-litre Lampredi V12 as authentic. The boat is exhibited in prestigious spaces, with collectors appreciating the design of the hydroplane. A Ferrari historian said:
“The Arno XI is more than a racing boat—it’s a testament to Ferrari’s willingness to push boundaries in engineering.”
Standing as Ferrari’s only hydroplane, the boat is attached to history and surrounded by much admiration. Marked differently from the red sleek design on Formula 1 tracks, the Arno XI remains the vehicle led by Achille Castoldi, breaking the speed world record. Currently holding the world record, speedboat racer Achile Castoldi, boatbuilder Cantieri Timmosi, and Ferrari’s Enzo Ferrari are arguably labelled as one of the greatest collaborations, putting together engineering mastery. Celebrated in exhibitions, the hydroplane has undergone much repair due to its age and pressure in the 1952 race.
