
A meeting written in the stars
He would rather talk about the boat than himself. “She’s the star,” he says with a smile. According to him, this exceptional runabout chose him more than he chose the boat. It was a twist of fate, a meeting that was always meant to be. A passionate enthusiast of both cars and sailing, he modestly describes himself as nothing more than a “keeper of time”, entrusted with carrying forward the story of a unique craft.
Rex II a powerboat built to make history
Built in 1949 by Frantz Liuzzi, the charismatic founder of a boatyard in Neuilly-sur-Seine, it was designed to embody excellence. Liuzzi, the ‘Christian Dior of boating’, built each model to order and delivered his creations with the aura of a couturier unveiling a collection. With their sleek lines, his mahogany runabouts were prized by the wealthy and speed enthusiasts alike, especially as he was also the first person to import BPM engines, designed by former Ferrari engineers, into France.
Rex II belonged to Charles Van Praet, a well-known figure from Le Havre who was both a racing driver and an aviator. He racked up records and victories at the wheel of the boat, including at the Monaco Meeting in 1956. It is said that Prince Rainier invited him to his wedding to Grace Kelly on this occasion. Van Praet triumphed again in 1957, winning the European Championships in Monaco. However, a breakdown in Cannes the following year brought the boat’s racing career to a temporary halt.