1980 - THE LEGEND BEGINS

The story began with no fanfare, no official opening, but with five boat builders working diligently in a small factory in Sydney’s leafy northern beaches suburb of Terrey Hills. They were building the plugs for a hull, deck and superstructure that would soon become the very first Riviera Open Flybridge, the 38 Mark 1.

In fact, when they began work, the company name had not even been selected.

As they worked, probably they listened to Split Enz’ number one hit “I Got You” or Queen’s “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” on a ghetto blaster radio.

1980 was an important year in many more ways. John Lennon was murdered, Bob Hawke was elected to Federal parliament and Mount St Helens in the United States erupted, killing 57 people and triggered the largest landslide in recorded history. Shares in the fledgling Apple computer company first traded on the US stock market.

Within a year the completed boat was transported on a low-loader to a boat ramp in Bayviewon Sydney’s Pittwater and unceremoniously launched.

Riviera was born. Our next post will profile that very first model. So, stay tuned and enjoy and share with us, the journey of 40 years of evolution.