Ariston-1952 (Work in Progress)

Derived from the prototypes built after the war, the Ariston is the only model that was present in the boatyard’s price list throughout Carlo Riva’s management, but was subject to continual updating to keep it worthy of its name, Ariston, ”the best of the best”. Originally with a two-part glass windscreen, this became a single piece in 1952 but still without a frame. In 1955 it was subject to the modifications mentioned for the Florida Super, with frames with a centre distance of 22 cm and all the other technical modifications. The upholstery was yellow Vipla and black and white checked Saran.

The hull was lengthened in 1956 to allow fitting of the alternative Cadillac engine. In 1957 the deck was made of ply from # 122 and the transom of three layer diagonal planking from # 130. The windscreen was also changed, it became wrap-around with a frame that allowed the folding hood to be fixed. This was to make the Ariston an ideal boat for all seasons. In 1958, as for the other models, the seat padding became rubberised hair. A blower was provided in the engine bay and, from # 171, the sides were of pre-formed three layer diagonal planking. # 218 of 1958 started the 1959 series. It had the new dashboard with the deep-centre wheel and new instruments and, moreover, a perfected hood.

From # 235 zebra pattern upholstery replaced the checked Saran, with pastel green Vipla edging instead of yellow. New hinges for the hatches and a new deep-centre wheel, new dashboards for the new instruments and new side pockets were also fitted. In 1960 the driving seat can be folded flat and the bottom cockpit sole boards are covered with ribbed vinyl. The same technical modifications mentioned for the Super Florida were made, as a result of the new engines. The text ”Ariston” appeared on the dashboard and above it was a semicircular Plexiglas article tray. All screws were Phillips.

In 1960 the Super Ariston joined the Ariston in the price list. It had virtually the same hull, only slightly lengthened at the stern to house the larger fuel tank needed for more powerful engines. The tank was of stainless steel in 1961. There were also new knobs and levers on the dashboard (also for the other models), new silencers and the keel was further deepened at the midship section. The bottom was the subject of the most important modifications with # 409 of 1962, the year when the zebra upholstery was replaced with that of Tritone type, i.e. with pastel green edging surrounding ivory coloured ribs.

Silencing was improved and the bow fenders lengthened by 35 cm in 1963. The 1964 series had many novelties (dashboard, instruments, screws, upholstery and internal side panels as in the Super Florida). The bow rake was extended by 8 cm (Ariston 6.60 m, Super Ariston 6.75 m). The side air vents were changed and were like those of the 1963 model Aquarama. The chrome plated strip running to the stern bore the crowned ”Ariston” text. New bottoms were adopted in 1967, with a deep V and the same length for Ariston and Super Ariston (6.80 m).

With the 1968 series the appearance of the fore deck was modified: the deck edge now featured a raised profile with both an aesthetic and a non-slip function. The deck inlay was now confined to its central part. The upholstery was changed to Skai and the Super again had a longer hull (6.95 m). The Ariston remained in production until 1971 and the Super until 1974, without extensive modifications apart from the dashboard instruments which, starting from # 980, were the same as the VDOs redesigned for fibreglass boats.