fastest transatlantic crossing by motor yacht

Tom Gentry’s Quest to Set the Trans-Atlantic Speed Record

Being a boater, you may have heard the term “ Blue Riband ” as the award presented for the fastest surface crossing of the Atlantic Ocean. You would be partially correct.

Derived from the Cordon Bleu (blue cord or ribbon) worn for centuries by distinguished French nobility, it became Blue Riband to the British, and then simply Blue Ribbon in the United States. Technically it is not awarded (and nor does a physical award exist) for the fastest crossing of the Atlantic but to the fastest average speed attained for the crossing by a passenger-carrying vessel.

Starting in the late 1800s and into the early 1900s as steam replaced sail power and propellers -- first one, then two, and then several propellers -- replaced stern and side-wheelers. As diesel gradually replaced steam, several countries vied for the coveted award. As passenger liners grew in size, popularity, and prestige, the holder of the Blue Riband became a valuable advertising and promotional asset.

Excluding for a five-year period in the middle of the century, the Blue Riband was held by the British from the award’s first presentation in the early 1830s right through to almost the turn of the century when Germany held the award for five years. The British, and more specifically, Cunard Lines, held the most awards with ships like the Lusitania and Mauretania through to the late 1920s with a few years of interruption by Italy, France, and Germany. Cunard Line’s Queen Mary captured the award in the late 1930s and held it right through to 1952 when the prestigious liner SS United States captured it with an average speed of 41 mph.

Since the Blue Riband was more a symbol of greatness than a physical award, in 1935 the Hales Trophy was created and awarded to the holder of the Blue Riband. Even though the ship was retired in 1969, the SS United States held the record and the Hales Trophy until 1986. It was then that British multi-millionaire entrepreneur adventurer Richard Branson claimed the Blue Riband in his Virgin Atlantic Challenger II , a 72-foot V-hull powered by a pair of MTU diesels of 2000 hp each with propeller shafts.

Branson’s Challenger I , a 65-foot catamaran skippered by offshore racing and Formula One great Ted Toleman, hit a submerged object and the boat sank just short of completing the crossing in 1985. All crew members were rescued. Both vessels were specially designed and built for the purpose but required several refueling stops along the route.

Branson’s new record was an average speed of almost 42 mph. He was not awarded the Hales Trophy, though, since his winning vessel was not a commercial passenger carrier. So, Branson created the Virgin Atlantic Challenge Trophy for simply the fastest surface crossing of the Atlantic

Tom Gentry was an engineer and land developer in Hawaii and in California. But above all else, he was a patriotic American and an idea man, a tinkerer, and a doer who spearheaded his ideas into reality. Gentry became known on the world offshore racing circuit in the mid-1970s -- winning his first World Offshore Championship title in 1976. By 1990, he had won five world titles and four US National Championships in different classes.

Tom Gentry was the first to hold three offshore ocean speed records concurrently, thus earning him the title of Fastest Man in Offshore . In 1987, he set a world offshore class speed record of 148 mph in his 48-foot Cougar cat customized by his own company, American Eagle Marine, and powered by four of his own 1400 hp turbocharged Eagle engines coupled with two Gentry-designed surface drives. This was all advanced technology for 1987. In 1994, he set a new Class 1 world offshore course speed record at over 157 mph.

Obviously seeing it as a challenge, and perhaps as the result of Branson’s 1986 claiming of the Blue Riband back to England, Gentry started tackling the trans-Atlantic speed record. As an American, he wanted the Blue Riband returned to America. He assembled a team led by his own Gentry Racing Team Manager and multi-time world offshore racing champion throttleman John Connor. Connor had previously managed Betty Cook’s offshore racing team while throttling for her as she raced to multiple world offshore racing titles.

Alongside naval architect/designer Peter Birkett, who had worked on the design of Richard Branson’s Virgin Atlantic Challenger II, Team Gentry produced plans for a 112-foot deep-V planing hull design with a sharp entry on a relatively narrow 24-foot beam. It was to be built of aluminum in order to minimize weight and was basically all fuel tankage forward and all engine aft. There were seven plush Recaro helm chairs with armrests and suspensions along with the latest in long range navigation electronics in the wheelhouse. The Garmin GPS was the size of a small suitcase.

Powering the Gentry Eagle were a pair of MTU sequentially turbocharged diesels of 3,480 horsepower each with each delivering power through a giant Swedish-built Kamewa jet drive. Centered between the diesels was a Textron Lycoming gas turbine of 4,500 horsepower operating through an Arneson surface drive with a surface-piercing propeller. This power arrangement is the embodiment of the ingenuity and engineering foresight of Tom Gentry.

The boat was taken up onto plane using the diesels with the jet drives. The turbine would be free-wheeling at that point. Then the Arneson drive would be carefully lowered into the after-wake and would accelerate up to hull speed. The turbine speed would be adjusted so the output speed matched the Arneson speed, and the clutch between the two would then be engaged. With all three power sources contributing, the Gentry Eagle could then be taken to its top speed of just under 80 miles per hour. Fuel capacity was in the vicinity of 10,000 US gallons. Total horsepower – 11,500.

Vosper Thornycroft of Southampton, England, with decades of boatbuilding experience and years of experience in large custom yachts in aluminum, was commissioned to build the Gentry Eagle . Once completed and sea trialed at a cost of over seven million dollars, it was shipped to the United States. July 1988 saw the Gentry Eagle outbound passing Ambrose Lighthouse at the entry to New York City harbour to attempt to break the trans-Atlantic speed record.

What had been anticipated to be a quick storm turned out to be a monster, and before the boat even reached the refueling ship at the half way point, serious structural damage was being done by the pounding twenty-foot seas. With no electronics working, and in the dead of night, the Gentry Eagle turned around and headed for St. John’s, Newfoundland. It didn’t quite make it.

A few miles off the Newfoundland coast, the boat, reportedly running at over 40-mph, ran aground on a small island in such a way that the bow section landed in a cleft between two rock walls. Only the bottom sustained major damage, but a little to the left or right would have resulted in a potential catastrophe for the crew.

The Gentry Eagle was lifted off the rocky beach by crane and barged to Nova Scotia where it spent the best part of a year being repaired under the watchful eyes of Project Manager John Connor. With a new and strengthened bottom on the boat, exactly one year after the first attempt, the Gentry Eagle once again passed New York’s Ambrose Lighthouse and refueled in a record time of 45 minutes in the mid-Atlantic.

Then, sixty-two hours and seven minutes after they started, they passed Bishop Rock on England’s Isle of Scilly. It bested Branson’s record by over eighteen hours. The Gentry Eagle had averaged over 55 miles per hour for the 3,436-mile distance. Richard Branson met the Gentry crew as they docked on the Isle and presented Tom Gentry with the Virgin Atlantic Challenge Trophy.

Later, the Gentry Eagle set some other speed records including winning the renowned Chapman Trophy for the fastest time from Miami to New York City . They set the mark at a record nineteen hours and seventeen minutes. The Gentry Eagle also set a record time of five hours and twenty minutes for the round trip from Miami to Nassau and back.

Having proven its point and having returned the Blue Riband to America, in 1992 Tom Gentry commissioned Naval Architect Grant Robinson and the Eagle’s original designer Peter Birkett, plus interior designer Robin Rose, to convert the Gentry Eagle to a pleasure superyacht. This required major restructuring, but when finished, the Gentry Eagle sported comfy cruising accommodations for six and crew quarters for four.

Tom Gentry and his family cruised coastal Europe and the Mediterranean as well as both coasts of North America in the refit Eagle . All the while, Gentry also continued his offshore racing exploits. In 1993, he was awarded the UIM Medal of Honor for his accomplishments and contributions to offshore racing. His contributions to marine engine performance and surface drive technology are legendary.

In October 1994, Gentry set another world offshore class speed record of 157-plus mph in San Diego Bay. Then, just one month later in November, 1994 it all ended. At the Key West World Offshore Racing Championships, with Gentry leading the Open Class in his 40-foot Skater catamaran with multi-time world champion throttleman Richie Powers on the controls, Gentry wanted to overtake the race leading superboat Recovery to take the overall win.

I was watching the race from media section at the end of the second story Pier House Hotel patio deck overlooking Key West harbour. The race boats passed within a hundred feet of the viewing area as they slowed down to navigate the hairpin turn within the harbour. It was one of the trickiest parts of the course and the waters were always churning and boiling.

I saw Team Gentry enter the harbour from the left and, because my buddy Richie Powers was aboard and it was leading its class, the boat held my attention when it passed in front of me to negotiate the hairpin turn ahead. Then suddenly I saw its port sponson dig in and the boat hooked, flying ninety degrees to the right and off the race course while overturning in the air. It landed upside down a hundred or so yards from where I stood, mouth agape.

Then I started counting the seconds while waiting for Gentry and Powers to evacuate the boat. Being a fully canopied boat, it had oxygen masks available for each person aboard. Both Gentry and Powers had passed medicals and “dunk test” training, and both had been through incidents in the past. Powers managed to find his mask only seconds before he would have drowned.

At the next Miami Boat Show, Richie recalled to me with tears in his eyes the second-by-second experience of being inside that cockpit -- an upside-down, churning, object-filled mess -- impossible to see while trying to find the oxygen mask, unable to unbuckle his harness while being upside down, and trying to hold his breath the entire time. Tom Gentry was rescued unconscious and was stabilized at a local hospital. The next day he was flown to Miami. He never did find his oxygen mask. He was in a coma.

Gentry was later transferred to Honolulu where he remained in a coma until he passed away in his home in January 1998 at age 67 -- just over three years after the Key West incident. His family kept the Gentry Eagle for a while, but eventually put it up for sale. It got little action and since the early 2000s and was pretty much abandoned in its slip at Ventura Harbor Boatyard in California where it was left to the weather and the seagulls. In 2022, it was lifted out of the water, blocked and torn apart by backhoes, and sold for scrap.

“You gotta write a book and if you won’t, someone sure should. There’s just too much nobody knows and so many details need to be told.”

The speaker was John Connor. I just happened to spot John at a waterside bar close to where I was staying during the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show one November sometime the late 1990s.

John and I had never spoken before but I recognized him, so I introduced myself and he was quite amenable to the company and my questions. After some easy chat about his throttling for some of the best in the world like Betty Cook, I started asking him about his time as Project Manager and chief helmsman for the Gentry Eagle .

He told me about the boat being built, about the damage from the ocean, and then from the grounding on the Newfoundland beach on the first record attempt. At this point, he looked off into the distance and said that they were all so lucky to be still around. They were lucky that they had turned around, lucky that the boat had grounded where they could see the damage to the hull, lucky that they could see what reinforcing would be needed to make her seaworthy again, and lucky that they had beached the boat between two rock walls.

Yes, John Connor and Team Gentry were lucky that time, but Tom Gentry, one of offshore racing’s greatest icons, wasn’t eventually so lucky. At the time of his accident, Tom and John were working on the creation of a 185-foot surface effect ocean catamaran to be powered by four 7,400 hp Allison M62 turbines -- a boat that would carry a top speed of 115-mph and sufficient range to not require refueling. They were planning to reclaim the Blue Riband for America.

And no, I won’t be writing the book any time soon.

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TransAtlantic Speed Record: Will it Ever be Broken Again?

Posted by Greg Trauthwein June 22, 2015

Will the prestigious TransAtlantic speed and endurance record ever be broken? Should it?

Twenty five years ago headlines around the world announced a new world record, the fastest crossing of the Atlantic Ocean, by a ship built in Australia.   

Incat Tasmania reports that June 23, 2015, marks 25 continuous years that Incat built fast ships have held the record for the fastest Transatlantic Crossing.  

On 23 June 1990 Hoverspeed Great Britain, a ship (Incat hull 025) built by Incat in Tasmania, for operation between England and France by Sea Containers Ltd, broke the record for the fastest crossing of the Atlantic Ocean by a commercial passenger ship. The crossing from Ambrose Light at New York commenced at 7.30pm on June 19, 1990 ending her 2922 mile trip at Bishop Rock in the UK on the morning of 23 June.  

The Hales Trophy is awarded to "The Ship which shall for the time being, have crossed the Atlantic Ocean at the highest average speed".. …So it is not simply reaching the highest speed momentarily, the right to fly the Blue Riband is a test of endurance as well, because the high speed needs to be maintained over the entire crossing (naturally slower at the beginning with a full fuel load and becoming faster at the end of the journey).

The previous record had been held for 38 years by the SS United States (1952 - 1990), prior to the SS United States win, the great liners vied for the honour to fly the Blue Riband. The Incat built high speed catamaran Hoverspeed Great Britain, which broke the record winning  the Hales Trophy on 23 June 1990, held the record and the owners held the Trophy, until 1998 when another Incat built ship Catalonia took the record in June 1998, then just a month later in July 1998 yet another ship built by Incat, CatLink V broke the record. It was the first time in the history of the transatlantic records (dating back to the 1860s) that three ships to win the trophy in succession had been built by the same shipyard.

There have been no challenges to the record which was set in July 1998, and none in sight.  The current record is 41.284 knots (76.5 km/ per hour) average over two days, 20 hours and 9 minutes. The Hales Trophy is a heavily gilded ornate trophy over one metre in height and is on display in the Fast Ferry Museum located at the Incat shipyard in Hobart.  The ship then known as Hoverspeed Great Britain is now operating as Cosmos Jet for Sea Jets in Greece.  

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3 speed records smashed by Comanche

Comanche breaks the transatlantic speed record.

Sailing superyacht Comanche has set a new record for crossing the Atlantic Ocean after completing her latest Transat on July 28.

The 30.45 metre carbon-fibre yacht sailed from New York’s Ambrose Lighthouse to the UK’s Lizard Point in 5 days, 14 hours, 21 minutes and 25 seconds. This new speed record for a sailing monohull, which is subject to ratification, shaves 27 hours off the previous fastest time previously set in 2003 by Mari Cha IV (which has since been refitted and renamed Samurai ).

Prior to Comanche ’s departure from New York on July 22, skipper Ken Read, president of North Sails, said: “We have been on standby for a few weeks now and have almost left on three separate occasions since the end of June. But now the right conditions have presented themselves.”

Read’s media commitments at the 2016 America’s Cup World Series Portsmouth meant he could not be on board for the record-breaking crossing. In his absence, Comanche ’s crew was led by Casey Smith.

The success of  Comanche  – the sailing yacht built to win  – follows her  second place finish at the 2014 Sydney Hobart race .

This Transatlantic speed record is just the latest in a remarkable series of records broken by  Comanche .

Comanche sets a new 24-hour distance record

The Transatlantic speed record comes 12 months after Comanche set a new 24-hour distance record for monohulls. The record was broken during the 2015 Transatlantic Race after  Comanche covered 618.01 nautical miles in 24 hours.

Her average speed was recorded as 25.75 knots, on the cusp of some strong southwesterly winds in the North Atlantic. The 24-hour distance record has since been ratified by the World Sailing Speed Record Council.

Comanche sets a speed record at Les Voiles de St Barth

After she failed to win the 2014 Sydney Hobart race on her maiden regatta, the first half of 2015 saw  Comanche come into her own and deliver in every conceivable way.

In an April showdown with a fleet of some of the world’s finest sailing yachts at  Les Voiles de St Barth 2015 ,  Comanche  established a speed record in the Maxi I class with a time of 2 hours, 33 minutes and 4 seconds, taking all line honours in her division.

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What's The Fastest Boat That Has Crossed the Atlantic Ocean?

October 18, 2023

‍ Key Takeaways

• The Destriero holds the record as the fastest boat to cross the Atlantic Ocean.
• It completed the journey in 58 hours and 34 minutes.
• The Destriero set a record-breaking speed of 45.7 knots during its Atlantic crossing.
• The boat's incredible speed showcases advancements in marine technology.
• High-speed boat crossings have a significant impact on the environment.

‍ Curious about the fastest Atlantic Ocean crossing by a boat? Discover record-breaking voyages and maritime speed feats.

The fastest boat that has crossed the Atlantic Ocean is the 68-meter luxury yacht Destriero, which achieved this feat in 2 days, 10 hours, 34 minutes, and 47 seconds. This boat averaged a remarkable 45.7 knots (84.6 km/h or 52.6 mph) during its record-breaking journey in August 1992.

With a deep passion for maritime endeavors, I’ve spent years studying the records, vessels, and individuals who have pushed the boundaries of speed on the Atlantic. My commitment to uncovering and sharing these remarkable feats is evident in my comprehensive understanding of this topic. Rest assured, my expertise will provide an insightful journey through the world of the fastest boat crossings, offering a profound appreciation for the remarkable achievements of seafaring adventurers and their vessels.

Table of contents

‍ fastest boat across the atlantic ocean.

When talking about the fastest boat across the Atlantic, a few contenders come to mind. Among them, the Destriero is notably impressive.

It is the fastest boat across the Atlantic . This Italian luxury yacht holds the record with an Atlantic crossing time of 2 days, 10 hours, 34 minutes, and 47 seconds.

Operated by skipper Cesare Fiorio, the Destriero averaged an incredible speed of 45.7 knots during the voyage in 1992.

Previous Records

The history of the fastest boats crossing the Atlantic Ocean is fascinating. The title was held by various vessels over the years, many of which competed for the prestigious Blue Riband Award and the Hales Trophy.

The Blue Riband was given to boats holding the record for the fastest westbound crossing, with the trophy representing the highest achievement in maritime speed.

A notable previous record holder was the ocean liner SS United States, built in the early 1950s, which held the record for more than a decade. It completed the crossing in 3 days, 10 hours, and 42 minutes.

Another previous record for the fastest crossing of the Atlantic Ocean by a boat is held by the Hoverspeed Great Britain. On June 23, 1990, this Incat-built ship completed the journey in 3 days, 7 hours, and 54 minutes, breaking previous records and setting a remarkable new standard for maritime speed.

Technical Features of the Boats

Now, let’s explore the technical features of the boats that have set records for speed while crossing the Atlantic Ocean.

Construction and Design

Destriero and the Hoverspeed Great Britain are both made of aluminum, but Destriero features a monohull design, while the Hoverspeed Great Britain is designed as a catamaran.

In contrast, the SS United States, built several decades earlier, is primarily constructed from steel and also features a monohull design.

The following table summarizes the construction and design of these boats:

Historical Context

The Atlantic Ocean has been a vital part of maritime history, connecting continents and facilitating trade, travel, and the exchange of ideas. Throughout history, vessels have swiftly sought ways to cross the Atlantic, from the early days of the Christopher Columbus voyage to modern technological advancements.

We’ll explore the fastest boats that have crossed the Atlantic and how they evolved over time.

World War II saw significant improvements in maritime technology, with ships becoming faster and more efficient. One notable example is the SS United States, a liner that held the transatlantic crossing speed record of 3.5 days in 1952. However, the advent of air transportation diminished the importance of these grand liners.

In the early days of transatlantic crossings, steamship voyages took notably longer. For instance, in August 1838, the steamship Great Western completed its trailblazing voyage from New York to Bristol in 15 days.

Additionally, Philadelphia, Italy, and other countries have contributed to the development of fast and reliable ships. Some vessels, such as the majestic RMS Titanic, have become symbols of luxury and grandeur.

As we explore the history of the fastest boats crossing the Atlantic Ocean and delve into the notable achievements and advances they represent, it becomes evident that the spirit of competition and technological innovation has been integral to the story.

Maritime achievements of the past, including the impressive record set by the Hoverspeed Great Britain, inspire future explorations and improvements in maritime transportation.

The Races Over the Years

Over the years, numerous races and records have been set for the fastest boat to cross the Atlantic Ocean. These competitions have attracted a variety of participants, witnessed incredible victories, and even sparked a few controversies.

Here, we’ll delve into the notable participants, some of the most significant victories, and the controversies that have arisen as boats have vied to claim the title of the fastest Atlantic crossing.

The Participants

Throughout the history of Atlantic crossings, various types of vessels have taken part in these races. Each has attempted to make its mark in this prestigious contest, from early passenger liners to modern high-speed catamarans.

The participants have included dedicated race teams, professional sailors, and even private boat owners who have all sought to test the limits of their vessels and crews.

The Victories

As mentioned, the current record holder for the fastest crossing of the Atlantic Ocean is the Destriero. In 1992, this impressively designed boat, measuring 68 meters in length, 13 meters in beam, and boasting 60,000 horsepower, managed to achieve an average speed of over 60 knots.

This incredible achievement remains unbeaten to date, and the Destriero still stands as a symbol of Italian pride and nautical engineering prowess.

Another major prize for Atlantic crossings is the Blue Riband, awarded to the passenger liner with the record for the highest average speed during a regular transatlantic voyage. This illustrious accolade has been held by a number of famous ships throughout history, including the RMS Queen Mary and the SS United States.

The Controversies

As with any competitive environment, the pursuit of breaking records in Atlantic crossings has not been without its share of controversies. There have been disputes over the legitimacy of some records due to differences in routes or vessel classifications.

Concerns over safety and environmental impacts related to high-speed crossings have also arisen, sparking debate within the maritime community.

Ecological Impact and Sustainability

As we delve into the world of high-speed boat crossings in the Atlantic Ocean, it's essential to understand the ecological impact of these vessels and the sustainability practices adopted by crews.

High-speed boat crossings often generate a significant carbon footprint, as they require vast amounts of fuel and energy to propel the vessels across the Atlantic Ocean at record speeds.

However, several innovative solutions have been implemented by record-setting crews to minimize their ecological impact. These efforts include the use of renewable energy sources, such as solar panels and underwater turbines, to generate electricity during crossings.

Moreover, sustainable practices on board the vessels, such as waste reduction and recycling, are essential to ensure a more eco-friendly voyage. Crews also make conscious efforts to avoid sensitive marine areas and follow designated routes to minimize disturbances to marine ecosystems.

These practices contribute significantly to responsible voyaging across the Atlantic Ocean.

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About THE AUTHOR

Brian Samson

I have a deep love of houseboating and the life-changing experiences houseboating has brought into my life. I’ve been going to Lake Powell on our family’s houseboat for over 30 years and have made many great memories, first as a child and now as a parent. My family has a passion for helping others have similar fun, safe experiences on their houseboat.

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The Fastest Atlantic Crossing Ever Defends Its 30 Year Old Record

In August 1992, the Destriero monohull sailed from New York to the British Isles of Scilly in 58 hours, 34 minutes and 50 seconds. Since then, nobody has done better

“We didn’t expect you so soon,” came the response from Bishop Rock, in the Isles of Scilly, England. Destriero , a monohull departing from New York just over two days earlier, had arrived. It was August 1992 and the Destriero monohull, built in aluminum at the Fincantieri shipyard of Muggiano (La Spezia), had crossed the Atlantic over 3,106 nautical miles — without refueling — in 58 hours , 34 minutes and 50 seconds at an average speed of 53.09 knots (93.323 km/h), taking 21.5 hours less than the previous record set by the English catamaran Hoverspeed Great Britain.

The Destriero monohull was born with the goal of breaking all records set in crossing the Atlantic , awarded since 1838 with the Blue Riband , a prize given to the ship with the fastest average crossing speed. The feat was commissioned and sponsored by Prince Karim Aga Khan, President of the Costa Smeralda Yacht Club, and supported by Gianni Agnelli’s Fiat and Franco Nobili’s IRI. The Destriero , crafted in the shipyards of Muggiano and Riva Trigoso over a record-breaking 270 days, was the largest light alloy ship ever built — an unrivalled concentration of efficiency, strength and technology. The first aluminum hull plate was cut in July of 1990, and the cutting of all remaining pieces was carried out with CNC machines. Construction and assembly of the boat’s structure continued with the same methods and schematics used in Fincantieri’s military units, while the external lines and aerodynamic studies of superstructures were handled by Pininfarina. The Destriero monohull demonstrated a notable energetic and propulsive efficiency with performance — including acceleration and deceleration — equal to that of a sports car . Meanwhile, when it came to interiors, the shipyard adopted various solutions borrowed from motor racing.

With its 67 meters in length, a beam of 13 meters and 60,000 horsepower, the Destriero could reach an average speed of more than 60 knots . A true record and a source of Italian pride: even the name Destriero hinted at the brave and daring spirit of a thoroughbred horse. Despite several controversies surrounding the awarding of the prize, the Destriero’s success between New York and Bishop Rock was celebrated in Porto Cervo on September 5, 1992, and the ship was awarded not only the Blue Riband, but also the Virgin Atlantic Trophy and the Columbus Atlantic Trophy. What’s more, at that event, it was declared that the Destriero’s feat was in line with that of the Italian transatlantic liner Rex , which had won the Blue Riband 60 years earlier, bringing Italy back to the top of international seafaring.

The importance of Destriero’s feat is not only limited to the still unbeaten record for crossing the Atlantic in the shortest possible time, but also to the importance of its design: with the experience, Fincantieri gave rise to a series of fast commercial ferries. Fiat, framing the feat, unveiled a prototype called Destriero at the 1992 Turin Motor Show, which was a tender on four wheels available to the crew in Porto Cervo before departing for England. Only two models were built, echoing the beach chairs of the 1960s and based on the Fiat Panda 1000 Fire. The first, specifically for the event, was light blue with a white interior; the second was dark blue with a light gray interior, donated by the Fiat Style Center to “The Lawyer” Gianni Agnelli.

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