One of these unusual craft, dubbed the Riva Ferrari 32, is coming up for auction at the end of next week, 18-19 January, at RM Sotheby's first major sale of the new year in Arizona.

Established in 1842, Riva was already on of the world’s most famous boat makers when Enzo Ferrari started manufacturing his own vehicles. Riva has since been known for its unparalleled style and personality, so it was logical that the boat maker would come to collaborate with the likes of his fellow Italian. The result is the very rare Riva Ferrari 32. This is one example of the reportedly 40 speedboats were built under the collaboration.

The Riva Ferrari 32 (named for its length in feet) was the brainchild of then Riva chairman Gino Gervasoni and Enzo Ferrari, who together carefully planned the design so that no one could mistake its familial lineage.

A team of designers and engineers worked together to blend elements, with Ferrari reportedly suppling its CAD skills to the project. The result is an attractive period speedboat that smoothly integrates many Ferrari styling cues, such as the flush fitting 1980s 'Testarossa' supercar mimicing air intakes sliced into the design alongside classic Riva hull lines that dominates the flanks. There are further Testarossa intake cues in the rear of the boat which is dominated by three rows of recessed cutouts.

Both innovative and eye-catching, the large 'F1' style carbon fibre 'wing' manages to create a perfect line with the bow while reflecting the elongated angle of the transom. The wing, sharply tipping forwards, is finished in black (there is also a narrow black full length stripe located at the waterline) while the body is finished in a shade of 'Rossa Corsa'; the use of red and black clearly aping the Ferrari F1 racecars of that era.

Adding to that racing overlap are the 'Scuderia' format shield badges positioned on either side while the 'Riva' 32 logos on the base of the wing uprights are written in the same chromed scripted effect used by Ferrari production car badging of that period.

Unlike other waterborne branding co-operations - such as by Lamborghini which provides its marine engines to accompany its ventures - the Riva Ferrari doesn't offer users Prancing Horse power, instead it's equipped with twin 390 hp, 7,982-cc BPM Vulcano 400 V8 engines, meaning hull number 28 can reach very respectable top speeds of 54 knots (62 mph).

A modest sleeping berth that's large enough for two people, along with storage spaces, sits below the deck, while above a three-person bench seat is positioned aft of the pilot seat.

With an engine-out service completed in 2015, and further recent detailing by Baca Marine, this particular Riva is ready for use. Riva Ferrari 32's seldom come up for auction but haven't as yet reached a point where they register with collectors.

This boat, hull no28, was put up for auction by RM Sotheby's at its 'Grand Prix Historique' sale in Monaco last May and the estimated sale price has been signifcantly lowered this time around, the auctioneers now listing it at US$125,000 - US$175,000 on their website while it's also being offered without any reserve price. It will be interesting to see if it registers with U.S. collectors next week and this unique collaboration from a past era starts to gain wider traction.