Carniti Hall

“A glorious Italian brand.”

Carniti has made history in the world of powerboat racing in Italy.
Discover its race boats, engines, and champions.

Carniti was founded in Oggiono, Lombardy, as a textile manufacturer. It was established in 1923 by Arturo Carniti under the name Meccaniche Tessili Oggionesi Magnoni e Carniti.
The initial idea was to also produce motorcycles, but the company soon realized the potential of manufacturing marine engines, anticipating their imminent commercial development.
An agreement was reached with Pietro Vassena, a versatile inventor from Lecco, who had already created the first Italian outboard motor shortly after World War II. Vassena brought his Elios brand and his engine mounting systems to the partnership.

In 1953, the company exhibited at the Milan Boat Show as Officine Fonderie A. Carniti & C., under the F.B. Elios brand, showcasing the 50, 80, and 160 models.

At the 1954 auto show, the same engines were reintroduced under new names: the 4-hp Calabrone, the 2.5-hp Libellula, and the 10-hp twin-cylinder Storione and Sephir. The graphics and colors were also new, featuring the definitive Carniti logo.

… discover the whole story at the Barca Lariana Museum …