Close window
Print details

Albatross Mk II Speedboat

Albatross Mk II Speedboat

Click Here for Full Screen Image - Click Here to Download Image

Albatross Mk II SpeedboatAlbatross Mk II SpeedboatAlbatross Mk II SpeedboatAlbatross Mk II SpeedboatAlbatross Mk II Speedboat
Albatross Mk II SpeedboatAlbatross Mk II SpeedboatAlbatross Mk II Speedboat
Lot number 9
Hammer value N/S (est. £3,500 - £4,500)
Description Albatross Mk II Speedboat
Year c.1958
Colour White
Engine size 1,500 cc
Chassis No. 159
Documents None

Albatross Marine started from not-so-humble beginnings. The Honourable Peter Hives, son of Rolls-Royce Chairman Lord Hives, formed a friendship with Archie Peace during his wartime service in North America.

Upon their return to the UK, they decided to have a go at boat building. Peace, an accomplished stress engineer, together with Hives designed and built several mono-hull hydroplanes which were effective at racing if not as a commercial proposition.

Setting up in a small boathouse in St Olaves near Great Yarmouth, Peace soon came up with a fresh design for a small two-seater sports boat called the Runabout. Powered by a Ford 10hp engine, it had a classically elegant aluminium hull and showed great promise as a fun boat capable of pulling a water skier.

A moderate commercial success, it was not long before the MkII arrived with more power - twin carburettors and an Aquaplane head pushing output to 35bhp and giving a 34mph top speed. The real key though was the increase in actual thrust through the water, a string of options following shortly which included Coventry-Climax engines of over 70bhp, turning the small 12’9” boat into a real performance machine.

By 1952, the Albatross had caught the attention of wealthy playboy Bruce Campbell. The owner of a steel-hulled 100ft luxury yacht, he brought a much-needed dose of salesmanship to the party. Using his yacht to travel extensively in the South of France, he would take an Albatross and buzz the super-rich in their yachts, not giving up until they insisted on having an Albatross for themselves.

It worked a treat. Everyone wanted one, including Brigitte Bardot, Aristotle Onassis, Prince Rainier of Monaco, Grace Kelly, George Formby and the Prince of Greece to mention but a few. Production soared and when British Rail built a siding next to the boatyard to load boats for export, Hives, Peace and Campbell knew the business had truly arrived.

New designs followed, including some much larger craft, but sadly Peace became ill and as a consequence the business fell into decline, although for most of the 1950s and early ‘60s, Albatross were the leading manufacturer of sports boats in the United Kingdom.

The high volume of production, aluminium construction and small dimensions have meant that there has been a good survival rate. Of late, Albatross Marine has been resurrected to support these characterful craft, supplying spare parts and advice, as well as helping to promote the active use of these elegant and fun boats.

This particular Albatross is number 159 which would put it in the run of MkII boats. It is now powered by a Ford ohv engine which runs, although the vendor tells us that he has not yet tried to put the craft in water, advising that the new owner gives it a precautionary check-over before embarking on any waterborne antics.

Complete with its own trailer, this lightweight and compact sports boat would make a superb classic car accessory. The vendor had intended to colour-code it to sit alongside his current classic car, but a change in plans means that it now has to go. 

Easy to store, fast and eligible for a series of competitive events within a thriving club scene, the Albatross is the perfect route into a whole new world of classic boats. At such a modest guide price, what have you got to lose? 

CATALOGUE AMENDMENT; The estimate in the printed catalogue was incorrect and should have read £3,500 - £4,500.

Close window
Print details