A 1959 Riva Super Florida speedboat (named 'Nounours') that once belonged to movie star Brigitte Bardot is to auction in Lake Como, Italy on May 23.
The lot is set to provide one of the headline lots of RM Sotheby's much anticipated Villa Erba sale, with a valuation of $84,582-126,873.
 The speedboat formerly belonged to Brigitte Bardot |
The auction house explains that the Riva "was purchased new on the behalf of film director and the former husband of Brigitte Bardot, Roger Vadim, at the Monaco Boat Service in 1959.
"It was then gifted by Vadim to Bardot who kept it at her famous St. Tropez villa, 'La Madrague', where it was often seen moored outside.
Bardot used the boat regularly during the early 1960s, after which it was sold to a well-known restaurateur in the St. Tropez region where it remained for many years…
"Often referenced in books on Brigitte Bardot's life and career, 'Nounours' is an icon of the famous St. Tropez 'Jet-Set' period in the 1960s."
Another Riva, the Aquarama Special, is valued at $317,358-528,930.
Augustin Sabatie-Garat, a specialist at RM Sotheby's, commented: "In recent years we have had the privilege of presenting numerous interesting and valuable classic boats at auction, and the two Rivas on offer at Villa Erba are two very fine examples indeed.
"Both herald from the Italian lakes, so it is wonderful and highly appropriate to bring them back to Lake Como to be sold."
Please sign up to our free newsletter to receive exciting news about classic car auctions.
