Perlita Too To Debut in Italy – 21 Years Of Research For 1953 Italian Correctness

Yesterday we received some fabulous news from fellow Woody Boaters James and Casudi from the San Juan Islands in the great Pacific Northwest. After twenty-one years of research and four grueling years of restoration work, “Perlita Too” their rare barn find Riva Tritone, the first Riva to arrive in the United States, will be making her debut in Italy this summer.

The 1953 Riva Tritone was sold to Hollywood producer Roland Reed (standing in the boat ~ below image), she is the only remaining Riva of 4 built with the record breaking Scripps V12 engine. Lastly she is the oldest Riva Tritone in existence and the first of 267 Tritones built.

James commented “I have this dream that “Perlita Too” will make her debut on Lago Iseo in Italy, where she was born in 1953.”

Just recently, after searching for three years, they have finally located a company that can properly dulicate the correct, original Saran woven nylon upholstery fabric that they needed to complete the restoration, and will be going into full production this week recreating the woven fabric, one of the final challenges of the four year restoration project.

BELOW L>R: Approved by Carlo Riva, period advertisement, December 2011 from SMS.

From the “Perlita Too” website today – In late August, a very special 2012 event will take place on Lago Iseo; a celebration of 170 years of the Riva yard; Carlo Rivas 90th birthday, and the 50th anniversary of the Riva Aquarama introduction. This is particularly significant because the Tritone model was the precursor to the Aquarama; in fact the first Aquaramas were built on modified Tritone hulls. “Perlita Too” was the prototype for a significant part of Riva history. The First Tritone.

James and Casudi’s dream of debuting “Perlita Too” on Lago Iseo in Italy is now coming true, as they are now making arangements to ship the 100% completed Riva Tritone to Italy in the next few months.

To see the most recent update (from January 24th, 2012) on the “Perlita Too” website, and if you are new to this project, to view the entire story of this restoration project, you can click here or you can also click on the “Perlita Too” link along the left side of the Woody Boater home page.

James & Casudi – Matt & I are so proud of you for finally completing this magnificent restoration… Your dedication, determination, and no compromise commitment to excellence is truly remarkable and inspirational – Nice work!

Matt & Texx