1959 Continental, 22.500 GBP

Remarks :
Introducing the beautifully restored Albatross Continental speedboat Godiva, number 1134, she is an extremely rare example of a four seat, Climax engine Continental Albatross built in 1959 by Albatross Marine of St. Olaves, Norfolk. Godiva has undergone a concourse restoration with no expense spared, meticulous attention to period detail throughout and fully documented. A launch to impress your friends.


History: Throughout the 1950s and 1960s Albatross Marine produced aeronautically engineered aluminium-hulled speedboats powered by motor car petrol engines.  Designed by Archie Peace, who with fellow engineer Peter Hives, son of the Rolls-Royce chairman, Lord Hives, had co-founded the firm in the late 1940’s.  Designed around 1949/50, the first Albatross was built from aircraft grade aluminium which was readily available following the end of WWII and used Archie Peaces’s novel method of flushed riveted construction.  The prototype weighed a mere 160lbs and was powered by a Ford 1,172cc sidevalve engine.  Bruce Cambell joined the company and promoted the new design in the Mediterranean which soon became popular for water skiing and racing, winning the 6 Heures de Paris in 1955.  Celebrities including Brigitte Bardot, Aristotle Onassis, Prince Rainer of Monaco, Grace Kelly, George Formby, Jon Pertwee, Prince Bira & Prince Constantine of Greece became customers.  In 1955 Prince Philip was given an Albatross by the Aluminium Development Association.  The firm expanded & in 1957 introduced a four-seat speedboat, the Continental.  By this time Albatross was offering the Coventry Climax racing engine 1220 (1216cc) FWE power unit.  This engine remains to this day sophisticated and very light weight. The engine on Godiva retains the standard cam and valve gear to maximise torque for that added urgency out of tight turns in classic boat racing.  The engine breathes through a single S.U. 1.5 inch carburettor and is fitted with a water cooled exhaust. This engine has zero running hours with no salt water running.  The boat has a completely new and bespoke wiring loom fitted with safety kill switch. New period correct instruments were fitted in keeping with the original style.  These include a rev counter, coolant temperature, oil pressure, oil temperature, fuel and ammeter instruments. With a removable wheel, integrated fire extinguisher, electric bilge pump, remote battery isolator, two new tailored tonneau covers and new floor covering, this boat is an excellent example.  It also is complete with its original “frog” navigation lamp & mast for a pennant. Godiva sits on a new, fully galvanised Albatross designed road trailer & tows well.


Accommodation :



Inventory :
Anchoring and Mooring Equipment: 6 x Fenders 2 x Mooring warps Deck: 2 x Davits Pushpit/pulpit Safety Equipment: Auto bilge pumps Accommodation: New upholstery


Mechanical :
Construction: Cream Aluminium hull with flush riveted construction Hull is manufactured from ‘Duralumin’, a high spec aircraft grade alloy New cream upholstery and blue trim New bespoke wiring loom fitted with safety kill switch New period correct instruments fitted in keeping with original style Removable wheel New fully galvanised Albatross designed road trailer Engine: 1959 Coventry Climax FWE 400-298508 Petrol Engine built by Race car engine builders ‘Andrew Tart Engineering’ in the U.K. 2 Engine hours 45 HP Maximum speed 40 MPH Range 150 miles Direct drive Fresh water cooled 2 blade propeller Last service 2023 Electrical: 1 new battery 2023 charged by alternator Tankage: 1 x Fuel tank capacity 53 litres/14 gallons