Albatross Continental

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. Construction Cream Aluminium hull with flush riveted constructionHull is manufactured from ‘Duralumin’, a high spec aircraft grade alloyNew cream upholstery and blue trimNew bespoke wiring loom fitted with safety kill switchNew period correct instruments fitted in keeping with original styleRemovable wheelNew fully galvanised Albatross designed road trailerEngine:1959 Coventry Climax FWE 400-298508 PetrolEngine built by Race car engine builders ‘Andrew Tart Engineering’ in the U.K.2 Engine hours45 HPMaximum speed 40 MPHRange 150 milesDirect driveFresh water cooled2 blade propellerLast service 2023Electrical:1 new battery 2023 charged by alternatorTankage:1 x Fuel tank capacity 53 litres/14 gallons